Background:
In 2001 the Park Dept. announced plans to use nearly one million dollars
of County bond funds in Freedom Park for new buildings. At this time, the
landscape in the park was in deplorable condition. Much damage was caused
by the Festival in the Park. Mud and barren area had replaced green areas.
Buildings were in poor condition. The park had not received any beautification
and maintenance was grossly inadequate.
Friends of Freedom Park alerted local residents and asked the County for the following:
Friends of Freedom Park attended a November 16 workshop where plans were presented to replace the indoor picnic shelter/meeting facility on the hill at the corner of Lilac Rd. and Cumberland Ave. Following this meeting, FOFP asked for meetings with park officials where they presented their concerns. Petitions were gathered to prevent the old building from being torn down.
Park officials held meetings and later changed plans so that the old building would be renovated and not significnatly increased in size. Hundreds of thousands were subsequently spent to improve the landcape.
February, 2001 Dear Friend of Freedom Park, Two years ago, at about this same time of year, many of us came together to protect Freedom Park and our community from a tourism scheme called the "American Freedom Bell." Today, we are faced with a new but similar challenge in the park. With bond money approved several years ago, the Park Dept. now plans a potentially large-scale construction program. Specifically, the Park Dept. plans to tear down the main picnic shelter, located at the top of the hill at Cumberland and Lilac, and replace it with a new multi-purpose facility. We are asking, why? And at what cost to the park? Plans that have been presented so far are cause for alarm to all who want to see the park preserved as an open, green, non-commercial "district" park. At a meeting with park officials several months ago, we learned that the proposed facility could be large enough to house all the materials used during Festival in the Park, administrative office space for some Park Dept. officials, new and larger bathrooms, a larger public meeting space for public events such as weddings, and possibly a permanent concession facility for selling food and drinks. We also heard talk of an "observation deck." We learned that the Park Dept. has even considered moving the Nature Museum from Sterling Road to this location. In connection with that idea, we did not hear what might become of the current Nature Museum facility and site. Please review the attached page regarding park conditions as they affect the quality of the park and our community. We ask for your support to: 1. Sign and return the attached petition to the County Commissioners: a) Before any new buildings are planned in Freedom Park, first priority should be given to rehabilitating the damaged landscape, replacing and adding to the trees that have been cut down, and improving the upkeep of existing park facilities, many of which have become eyesores. b) Concerning proposals to build a new multi-purpose facility in the park, first consideration should be given to just upgrading the existing facility at Lilac and Cumberland. In order to maintain open space, protect existing large trees and not cause increased parking or traffic, nothing should be built at this site larger than what is already on the site. 2. Come to the Feb. 22 meeting where park officials will present their construction plans. We have learned from experience that we must be involved in park planning. As nearby residents, we will live with the consequences if we don't speak up now. The meeting is Thursday, Feb. 22, 7p.m., at the park shelter at Lilac and Cumberland. Thank you for your continued support. FRIENDS OF FREEDOM PARK |
