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Neighbors oppose proposed service road through Merriam’s Park near new Waterloo high school
Summary
Residents presented a 320-signature petition urging council to seek alternatives to a proposed service road and 5.2-acre land transfer from Merriam’s Park to the Waterloo schools, citing traffic, safety and loss of green space.
At the Feb. 3 meeting, multiple residents urged the city council to reject a plan that would route a service road through Merriam’s Park and transfer 5.2 acres for a school project.
Lori Wright, who identified herself as a resident of Mark Drive, told the council the park sits adjacent to the new high school site and that a petition opposing the road with “320 signatures” had been delivered to the city clerk’s office. Wright said the park was donated to the park board in 1963 by Aaron Miller as a memorial to his wife Miriam and that the park originally included 17 acres; she warned that allowing the school to take 5.2 acres would leave only “a teeny weeny 2 acres.”
Other nearby residents raised traffic and safety concerns. Dennis Jewell and Connie Rommel described planned nearby housing and a 43-lot development and multiple apartment units on adjacent roads that they said will already increase traffic on Sager Avenue. Mary Jo Jewell said children bike to the park and that parents and grandparents walk there; she said a new road would force small children to cross bus and truck traffic to reach play equipment.
Why it matters: Residents said Merriam’s Park is the only neighborhood green space within walking distance for a growing area and argued that the city should pursue alternate access routes for the school project to avoid losing parkland and mature trees.
Council response and follow-up: A council member representing Wards 1 and 2 offered to meet with neighborhood residents and set up an informal Saturday meeting to discuss alternatives. A Ward 4 council member announced a Ward 4 town hall on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center and noted that a representative involved with a nearby grocery (All In Grocers) may attend. No formal council vote or land-transfer action occurred during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
Ending: Residents left a petition with the clerk and asked the council to review alternatives that would not use parkland. Council members pledged follow-up meetings and said they would continue dialogue with the school district and staff.
