DECATUR — A new pocket park along Hill and Buckner Avenues in Decatur is one step closer to becoming a reality after the city council passed a resolution on Monday allowing the mayor to apply for a matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s Outdoor Recreation Grant Program.
Council members voted in favor of the resolution 3-2 after a well-attended public hearing.
The proposed park would make use of eight lots on the corner of Buckner and Hill Avenues, currently owned by Joe Gibbons.
It would cost approximately $32,000 to purchasethe land and $8,000 to develop a parking lot and playground area, Mayor Charles Linam said. The city would only have to payabout $15,000 of the costs if the grant is awarded, he said.
Linam said the Parks and Recreation Committee voted unanimously to recommend the approval of the park during their June meeting.
“They were very enthusiastic about it,” he said.
Nine community members attended the public hearing.
Jerri Duncan said there is a lot of traffic in the area and children are often playing and riding bicycles in the street. She suggested a park would give children asafer place to play and keep them out of the streets.
Andrew French, who lives in the neighborhood, agreed.
“It would keep kids off the street. There is a lot of traffic,” he said.
Linam was asked what would happen to the large pine trees on the property if it were turned into a park. He replied the trees would remain.
“I would rather see you buy it and maintain the trees,” said Jean Johnson.
“It would have been wonderful when my kids were little,” commented councilwoman Nan Mc-Clain.
Johnson and McClain agreed that small, fenced pocket parks can be safer for small children and less stressful for their mothers than large sprawlingparks.
“You need to count the number of empty houses in that neighborhood (before you make any decisions)” said Margie Lovitt.
“I don’t see aneed to add another park when we’re not taking care of the current parks,” alderman James Jessen said, pointing out that Veterans Park is still in need of more playground equipment.
Jerri Duncan replied that Veterans Park doesn’t have any shady areas where children can play, while the proposed park has plenty of trees to provide shade.
Linam asked the community members for a vote. Five voted in favor of the park and two voted against it. Fire chief David Flynt, city recorder LeslieHaag and councilman Jessen also raised their hands to vote against the park.
Once the council meeting formally began and the resolution was read aloud, the discussion continued.
Councilman David Sutton asked where the $15,000 for the park would come from. Linam replied that it would most likely come from the city’s contingency fund. The fund has already reached its cap of $300,000 and excess money is being put in the street fund every month, he explained.
McClain asked if the purchase of the property was contingent on receiving the grant. Linam explained that no commitment to purchase the property had been made in any way and would not be made until the city received the grant.
McClain also asked how often the city will have the opportunity to apply for the grant.
“Its not a grant that comes around every year,” said city administrative assistant Kim Wilkins.
“I think its a good idea to have a park up there. The question is: ‘Can we afford it?’” said parks department manager Mike Barnett.
Council members Gina Holt, Sandy Duncan and Nan McClain voted for the resolution. James Jessen and David Sutton opposed it. Mayor Charles Linam cast a final vote of approval needed to pass the measure.
The application deadline for the grant is August 26. Wilkins is doing all the work related to applying for the grant instead of hiring a professional grant writer, which is saving the city a considerable amount of money, Linam said.
News, Pages 10 on 07/13/2011