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November 09, 2006
Mr. Beardsley, Tear Down This Wall!
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| At the last Park Commission meeting the General Services Director, Dennis Beardsley, stated that the fences around the Downtown Plaza would be removed on or before November 27th. I think that's pretty cool. I've seen the fountains running a few times, and I'm looking forward to starting the "polar bear sprinkler frolic" club that runs naked through the fountain on new-years day. I thought he said there would be an opening ceremony on the 29th, but that's a Wednesday so maybe I misheard. The official park opening/ribbon cutting will be next summer, and there are some interesting uses in mind for the park (I think they want us to call it a plaza). There has already been one request to hold a wedding at the band-shell, which I think is a fun idea. CARD is also discussing with the Park Dept. the idea of holding regular "Movies In The Park" next summer where a screen will be draped across the band-shell stage structure. CARD held three movies at Sycamore Field, near Caper Acres this summer, and all were relatively successful. I think holding them in a more visible location would generate a lot of interest in the idea. Another CARD concept in the works is holding a formal dance under the stars (a ball). I think that would be a really great way to use the Plaza. I've always wished the city would take some time and money and fix the amphitheater in Children's Park. But maybe the new Downtown Plaza will fill that gap. On a side note, I saw a car parked "nose-in" at one of the diagonal back-in spaces around the park. I wish I could have watched that guy parking. |
Posted by Lon at November 9, 2006 11:07 AM
Comments
My computer is slow, maybe that fits me I don't know. but when this column came up I only saw the "Mr. Beardsley Tear Down This Wall". For one moment I thought you were speaking of the dam building going on in lower park. For years some one or ones have built dams and chutes near the bathrooms at Cedar Grove. I assumed they were rafters, don't know. Mr. Beardsley has never made an effort to remove that dam and it is rebuilt every year and goes unmolested.
This week I noticed at least two more dams have been built including the use of concrete blocks and other materials. Definitely artificial foundations. Water is being diverted toward the road in at least one place. Winter storms will undoubtedly carve out more embankment. With all the sound and fury over alleged Disc golf damage I would think this is a no brainer but the dams remain.
Just curious. Is there a don't ask don't tell, wink, wink policy here?
Posted by: Ron Acevedo at November 12, 2006 10:30 AM
Forbidden Plaza
Even when the plaza is finished, I think they should leave the chain link fence up. It gives it kind of a nice urban look.
Posted by: Jim at November 12, 2006 11:01 AM
Ron,
I would guess that the Park. Dept. isn't aware of the dams. 896-7800 is the number. They usually jump on stuff like this.
Disc golf is really a unique case. Most people don't know that...
*Disc golf existed on the property before the city purchased it
*Disc golf was unanimously approved by a previous Park Commission and City Council, and received $206K+ in funding (mostly for parking improvements)
*Disc golfers sought at least 5 alternative locations after the city purchased the land, and the Park Commission eventually said stay where you are
*An EIR, botanical, archeological study and course designs were completed long before the current rehash of the issue
*The Park Commission voted a couple of years ago NOT to allow disc golfers to make ANY changes to the courses
Posted by: Lon at November 13, 2006 09:42 AM
Hey Jim,
I had dinner at Raw Bar on Saturday, and the fountains were on (they have lighting for our night viewing pleasure). It really does have the appearance of a CITY plaza, instead of a SMALL TOWN park.
It is now an urban park setting. Combined with Ringell Park there has certainly been a transition away from small-town and towards big-town.
I personally like the city plaza. But I do think it was too expensive. The $4.2million price tag is prior to long term debt interest. Since this is an RDA funded project it will not be paid off for quite a long time. I told somebody at farmers market that the end cost would be around $8million, and her response was "the city can afford it". We'll see if that's the case, but it's built so we might as well enjoy it.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at November 13, 2006 09:52 AM