I wanted to tell Josh and any new comers what most community members
expressed about Clark Park 8 years ago. The design firm, at that time,
hosted several public meetings and interviewed some of us, who were
leading park user groups. They were honest and professional unlike the
civic associations and UCD. (They are long gone)
Eddie Battle reported the results about the "Key person" interviews at
the last meeting. These closely mirrored the statements, concerns and
comments I observed at the large public meetings.
Our neighbors thought Clark Park was a great park and vital to the
neighborhood. They did not want major changes. It seemed almost
unanimous among neighbors that the healthy trees were not to be killed.
They did not want new construction that would require expensive on going
maintenance. And they did not want open space to be used up for
additional single use schemes.
The residents did want a dedicated maintenance plan.
What we know about the current secret redesign plan shows complete
disregard for these widely held sentiments from the community. I don't
believe that the people who expressed these sentiments nor the larger
community changed their minds about Clark Park. But it should be clear
why the FOCP/SHCA/UCD leaders have refused any public process! They
knew we would reject the same attempt to completely redesign the park.
So they used propaganda, time, and secrecy to defy the will of the
majority of the community. The assertion that Brian and Tony are a
public process, as they scare people at the farmers market while
demanding 20 dollars, is quite ridiculous.
Over the years, UCD has taken control over every aspect of the park,
as they proudly proclaim in their last newsletter. Making the Clark
Park Partnership a closed exclusive entity to replace the role of the
Department of Recreation has eliminated our right to participate as
citizens in the decisions and policies over our neighborhood park. Mr
West can call it a department of recreation public park. But it has
been privatized. We, and future generations, have lost our voices and
rights in Clark Park. This process was not a little mistake in
processes acceptable in democratic societies. The UCD/FOCP/SHCA process
is a deliberate and gigantic middle finger pointed at all of us.
Those who control Clark Park can do anything they want and they can do
it secretly. UCD does not have to be accountable to the people in any way.
Glenn, an anti-fascist activist
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