Post by IdahoBoy on Feb 15, 2007 3:16:28 GMT -5
www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/117150991954370.xml&coll=1
Council gets no-volleyball petition
Thursday, February 15, 2007
BY ELLEN LYON
Of The Patriot-News
While most of the midstate was consumed with the after-effects of an ice and snow storm last night, about 25 Camp Hill residents slipped and slid their way to a Borough Council meeting with volleyball on their minds.
The residents presented the council with a petition signed by about 100 people protesting council's plans to put a grass volleyball court in the northwest corner of Willow Park.
"We've braved the storm. We feel very much that we're being encroached upon," said Art Rogers, whose home is in the tiny park between North 24th and North 25th streets.
Rogers said everyone he's talked to wants the little park to remain a "nature park" that is "recreation-free."
Robert Dellacroce of North 24th Street said he lives across from the gazebo in the park where kids already congregate, sometimes spilling into the street.
"If we add a volleyball court to the park it will just step up that situation," Dellacroce said.
Walter Barth, 72, of North 25th Street, who negotiated the ice with the help of a walker, told the council that a volleyball court might be good for the community but Willow Park isn't the place for it.
Clyde McGeary, of Willow Avenue, said Willow Park was set aside 80 years ago as a garden park. The people who live near it, McGeary said, want it to remain "a quiet walking garden."
Council voted for the volleyball court, "disregarding any kind of long-term plan, any kind of public input," McGeary said.
A plan to rehabilitate the park and the stream that runs through it doesn't include the volleyball court, he noted.
McGeary appealed to council to rescind its decision.
Council Chairman Rick McBride said the issue would be referred back to the Parks and Recreation Committee, where it will receive reconsideration with input from the concerned citizens.
"We've heard you all loud and clear," McBride said.
ELLEN LYON: 255-8167 or elyon @patriot-news.com
Council gets no-volleyball petition
Thursday, February 15, 2007
BY ELLEN LYON
Of The Patriot-News
While most of the midstate was consumed with the after-effects of an ice and snow storm last night, about 25 Camp Hill residents slipped and slid their way to a Borough Council meeting with volleyball on their minds.
The residents presented the council with a petition signed by about 100 people protesting council's plans to put a grass volleyball court in the northwest corner of Willow Park.
"We've braved the storm. We feel very much that we're being encroached upon," said Art Rogers, whose home is in the tiny park between North 24th and North 25th streets.
Rogers said everyone he's talked to wants the little park to remain a "nature park" that is "recreation-free."
Robert Dellacroce of North 24th Street said he lives across from the gazebo in the park where kids already congregate, sometimes spilling into the street.
"If we add a volleyball court to the park it will just step up that situation," Dellacroce said.
Walter Barth, 72, of North 25th Street, who negotiated the ice with the help of a walker, told the council that a volleyball court might be good for the community but Willow Park isn't the place for it.
Clyde McGeary, of Willow Avenue, said Willow Park was set aside 80 years ago as a garden park. The people who live near it, McGeary said, want it to remain "a quiet walking garden."
Council voted for the volleyball court, "disregarding any kind of long-term plan, any kind of public input," McGeary said.
A plan to rehabilitate the park and the stream that runs through it doesn't include the volleyball court, he noted.
McGeary appealed to council to rescind its decision.
Council Chairman Rick McBride said the issue would be referred back to the Parks and Recreation Committee, where it will receive reconsideration with input from the concerned citizens.
"We've heard you all loud and clear," McBride said.
ELLEN LYON: 255-8167 or elyon @patriot-news.com
