Re: "We can't just say no to changes," Other Opinions, Sept. 27.

Were there two different public meetings on City Park Tuesday night? The one I attended had the public speaking out in favor of change, in the form of the 2005 master plan. That plan proposes considerable change. However, the new development proposals trash that master plan.

I heard no one speak against bringing back golf. I did hear opposition to the proposed layout and allotment of space.

The master plan already calls for the closure of one course, so the new proposal doesn't change that equation. But new is the plan to gobble up virtually the entire area between Interstate 610 and Filmore Avenue, including most of Coturie and all of Scout Island, and moving all of the soccer fields and baseball diamonds north of Filmore.

By all means, let's bring back golf and other fee-generating uses. Follow the master plan. But fee collection should not be City Park's sole life support.

The park should be supported by our taxes. The state has recently stepped up to the plate, and we can hope that in the not-too-distant future the city will as well.

But if the park wants the kind of public support that leads to tax revenue, its officials should listen to the public and keep the park green and accessible, not close the middle half to public use.

Link to article