An ordinance was introduced at the July 17 Committee of the Whole to authorize a lease at less than fair-market rent for borough land known as Newby Park to Friends of the North Pole Park and Recreation Complex so a volunteer group can restore and manage the property.

Sponsor Assemblymember Tammy Wilson described the park's history and said volunteers, churches and service organizations have kept sports and community events alive after the borough ceased regular maintenance in 2016'17. "They're not asking for any kind of funds from the borough," Wilson said, explaining the group seeks control to repair and reopen ball fields, restrooms and a concession area so North Pole High and other local users can resume regular play.

Mayor Hopkins and borough staff said they have worked with the volunteer group and discussed options including a cooperative sale, but the group indicated a lease would allow them to begin restoration sooner. Borough legal staff said a code provision requiring a competitive process when land is suitable for commercial or industrial use may apply because outdoor recreation zoning permits some commercial uses; staff indicated they would prepare a statutory waiver amendment to the ordinance if the Assembly wishes to proceed with a direct lease.

Councilmembers and staff discussed reversion and covenant language to ensure the land remains in recreational use and to permit borough reversion if the lessee ceases park use. Other questions included whether existing water access could be used for irrigation and the cost to bring the site up to code; Assembly members asked staff to provide a rough estimate of the borough cost to restore the currently developed portion of the park.

Why it matters: The proposed lease would transfer day-to-day responsibility for a 75-acre former borough park to a local nonprofit for community recreation and school sports; the arrangement could preserve local programming with private investment but raises questions about competition, code compliance and long-term disposition of borough land.