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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to Parks and Recreation Committee and City CouncilTO: Members of the Parks and Recreation Comriittee and the City Council of College Station FROM: Interested Citizens of College Station For several years, and more specifically for the past year,�citizens of College Station have been interested in the establishment of parks in our city. Petitions were circulated showing the desire for and the need to purchase 10 acres of the tract of land known as the Holik tract for a park, this acreage being property that is south of the Haines Extension. This group of citizens is interested in parks all over the city and from their efforts and that of the Parks and Recreation Committee and tne,Cnt3f Council a bond issue was presented to the voters and it passed. Iters ;147 Proposition 4 was for Park Acquisition and one of the sites to be pu:clidlsed was a 14 acre park near Welsh and Haines Extension. $200,000 was the amount set aside for this park. In all discussions leading up to this the site was to be the property south of Haines. This area has many trees and the site of a ?ake. During the last four years petitions have twice been circulated. The first .ane had over 300 names and the second one (which was in 1977) had 221 names. T„ese signatures came from individuals who were registered voters and who lived all over the city. At the time of the last petition each person who signed was asked if the park land was purchased would they be interested in making contri- butions of time and/or money to develop the park. All but one person said yes. Many wanted to make their contribution of money at that moment. These people are individuals who live in the surrounding area and are not just the dozen or so whose property adjoins the area. Now that the city is in a position to purchase the land (after the bonds are sold) and the interested citizens are eager to have this accomplished, it has come to the attention of this group that there is consideration being made -2— to change the site of the park to the north side of haines. If the citizens voted to purchase land believing that it was the property in the Holik tract that is south of Haines, can the Parks and Recreation Committee and the City Council change the plan? The reasons for changing are summarized as: 1. The developer, having waited while the city made a decision and the time limit having expired, would like to proceed with the develop- ment and would like to build on the south side of Haines. 2. The property on the north side is cheaper than the property on the south. However, the citizens wish to state why they believe that the land south of Haines should be the park for this area of the city. 1. This is the land which the voters thought they were voting for. This site was on city plans for a park prior to this group's interest. It is the land that was mentioned in all of the discussions when the park was in the planning stages. 2. It is the site that the consultant David Reed recommended be a park. It was his recommendation that the area be 14 acres. The citizens originally asked for around 10 acres. a. Reed stated that many areas in the city which are labeled parks are marginal areas which are not suitable for building and for the same reasons some of them are marginal for park use. b. He further stated that there are no viable neighborhood parks in the area. This would allow the city to have a park that meets the criteria to be a park as set out in recommendations by National Park Recreation Standards. -3- 3. 3- 3. The area is a wilderness area and has many trees, grapevines, wild flowers and other habitat that would make a unique park. It is a natural area that could be enjoyed by the whole city and in particular the residents of this area of the city. This area needs,a PARK. The population is dense and becoming more so. There are many apart- ments and homes in the area. When the city planners used half mile circles from existing parks to show the areas needing parks this area qualified as a potential park. a. It is an area that children and adults alike could get to easily. b. It is an area where classes, groups from the Junior Museum and others could have field trips and observe ecology. c. The area north of Haines does not have adequate trees. The old giant mesquite is becoming rotten and is not viable to be an accent point for a park. The area north of Haines does not have the same ecology and is not suitable for a park. d. A green area is preferred over more housing which means more people and traffic. 4. It is the belief of many that they would hate to purchase a house which had been built on a fill such as would be needed in the area south of Haines. The area, with only a minimum amount of work, most of which could be done by citizens, would be a very desirable park. 5. The trees are well spaced. They add to the beauty and wilderness which enables park users to privacy and enjoyment. This park would provide paths and opportunities for study and individual enjoyment of its walking around in the woods space and natural features. Athletic facilities are provided at other sites. This site to be of natural beauty to be enjoyed by all. -4- 6. The park can be reached from Dexter and Haines, and from Welsh if the additional property is purchased. It is desirable for parks to have access. If the land north of Haines is used and a row of houses is built along the Dexter side, access would be more difficult. 7. When houses are built in the area the water will run off 50% faster than it does now and it will cause increased floo-ling below. The homes located below the area have been flooded only since the lake was drained. If the land is left natural this would slow down the run-off and be a protection to the homes below as well as supply a green area for this neighborhood. The cost of the development can be reduced by the citizens who have expressed their interest in the parks development. Work crews could assist in the cleaning, planting, etc. that would be necessary. As a wilderness park it would not require the extras that go with other parks. It is recommended that it be an unlighted area. There is an architecture professor who wants to have his classes assist in the development, giving the students experience and a chance to do community service. It is possible to find other means of assistance from groups such as interested citizens, scouts, etc. Others who are interested and who do not live in the area per se, are teachers from Kindergarten, up, who would like a place where they could walk with their children, enjoy and experience study of nature. The Junior Museum is very interested and their members come from all over Bryan and College Station. It is a place where residents from local nursing homes could be brought to enjoy some out of doors and the natural beauty that the area offers - trees, grapevines, flowers, etc. -5— It is readily accessible to citizens from other parts of town. It is the desire of this group of interested citizens to let the Parks and Recreation Committee, City Council and others who are interested know how they feel about the purchase of the property south of Haines for a park. 1. They believe that their vote mandated the purchase. The votes came from the entire city. 2. They believe that it is the best site for the best park because of the natural habitat. 3. They believe the density of population is such that the acquisition of the park is most urgent. 4. Although this group is assumed by some to be just the residents whose property adjoins the site, they want to point out only a dozen or so families have property adjoining the Holik property. And further, the 300 plus and the 221 signatures on petitions are from registered voters all over the city, and that most live farther away from the site, so their mandate is riot one of emotion but for preservation of an area and the development of a park for all the citizens of College Station. Furthermore, these citizens are sincere in their desires for all of the College Station parks to be developed with a plan and wish to be of some assistance for this purpose. Perhaps this group can be the forerunner of an organization which might be called "Friends of the Parks" and would be able to assist in College Station acquiring and developing a park system that would be the envy of any city around. We recommend that the city purchase the acreage south of Haines for the park which the area needs desperately.