Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents raise Forest Hills playground questions; citizen urges viewing homelessness as community investment
Summary
A resident asked about access and possible refurbishment of the Forest Hills playground, and city staff explained ownership and maintenance history; a second speaker urged commissioners to treat people experiencing homelessness as an investment rather than a problem.
A resident at the Paducah Board of Commissioners meeting on March 4 asked about availability and potential refurbishment of the Forest Hills playground and whether a private party could lead repairs. City staff replied with ownership and maintenance details and said city parks staff are exploring alternative sites for playground equipment because Paducah Water may need the current site for impoundment purposes.
The resident, identified in the record as Randall (last name not specified), said PMG had sold property nearby and asked if a playground would be available for new neighbors and whether a community member could refurbish the equipment. Randall noted the role local breweries have played in redeveloping downtown buildings while thanking the commission for its time.
City staff responded that the old Forest Hills School property is owned by Paducah Independent Schools and has not been sold; the school district has plans for the property that are still in development and not fully disclosed. Staff said the parcel where the playground equipment sits had originally been deeded to the city and Paducah Water for storage and utility uses and that an agreement from the 1970s required the Forest Hills organization to maintain the playground equipment. Because Paducah Water is considering using that area for impoundment in the near future, city staff said they are exploring other nearby property with the parks director as a potential location for playground equipment.
Later in the public comment period, Cornell Shackleford urged commissioners to view people experiencing homelessness as an investment rather than a problem. Shackleford described his personal journey—from being homeless when he arrived in Paducah in 1995 to earning a bachelor’s degree, owning property and participating in local civic life—and urged the city to invest in people who can later give back to the community.
City staff and the commissioners thanked both speakers for their comments. No formal action was taken on either public comment item during the meeting.
