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CRA plans upgrades at Henry Davis Park; garden supporters say proposals risk community priorities
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Summary
CRA listed $125,000 for Henry Davis Park improvements including pavilions, shade cells for the community garden, playground upgrades and a mural. Community garden advocates told the CRA they fear redevelopment at MLK/15th could undermine the garden's success and said earlier public input has not been honored.
The CRA reported a $125,000 project for Henry Davis Park improvements on May 6 and said the work will be completed in-house with a department coordination meeting scheduled for May 9. Planned improvements include a small pavilion with attached shed, shade cells over the community garden, a larger pavilion with tables and grills, a basketball court, a Kiwanis-sponsored playground, an interactive learning path, a mural on the restroom building and a new park sign if budgets allow.
Why it matters: residents and garden stewards said they spent years advocating to create the community garden and worry other development in the area could jeopardize its success. Brenda Lewis Williams and other commenters told the board they feel community input has been ignored and asked the CRA to honor prior consensus.
Public comments and staff response: Williams told the CRA that the garden required three years of advocacy and that recent reporting and project proposals appear “diametrically opposed” to community input. The CRA acknowledged receipt of letters and said staff would circulate memos answering some public questions; staff also explained the May 9 coordination meeting among departments will finalize implementation plans.
Project status: staff said no funds have been expended yet on Henry Davis Park improvements and the project will proceed with in-house work coordinated across departments. No formal changes to the community garden’s operation were proposed at the May 6 meeting.
