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Residents urge lights, cameras and community input for Syrett Park during New Castle County Council meeting
Summary
Two residents and community leaders told council they want more safety infrastructure and deeper community engagement for park improvements after a fatal incident and continued problems at Syrett Park and other green spaces.
At the June 10 New Castle County Council meeting two community speakers urged the council and county staff to prioritize safety upgrades and inclusive planning for county parks, citing crime and a recent fatality along park trails.
Rob Bullock, president of the Holloway Terrace civic association, addressed the council to thank officials for recent action on a vacant-property ordinance that he said began in his neighborhood. Bullock spoke briefly and thanked council members and the county executive "for that vacant property ordinance that you signed in my — I'm glad you started in Holloway Terrace in my neighborhood." (He identified himself as president of Holloway Terrace.)
Joshua Brown, director of R9 CDC Economic Development Corporation, delivered an extended public comment on Syrett Park and broader green-space improvements. Brown said he has worked with architects, community members and survey respondents and emphasized two priorities: safety improvements and meaningful, community-led design. "I just wanna make sure that when you guys support us like how you always do, that it doesn't get out of hand where that whoever we get to redo the job don't do the same thing," Brown said.
Brown told council he has repeatedly requested lights and cameras along certain park trails and cited a recent killing: "A young man was killed at night, along the trails that I've been asked for lights and cameras for, like, the last 3 years," he said. He urged the council to provide lighting and camera infrastructure or otherwise support measures that would make the park safer for children and neighbors who use the space.
Why it matters: Brown framed the request as a public-safety and equity issue. He noted that park improvements should avoid removing tree canopy unnecessarily and should be designed with input from residents most affected by crime and neglect.
What speakers asked for - Installation of lighting and surveillance cameras along park trails where residents report dangerous conditions. - True community engagement in design and planning so improvements reflect local needs and preserve urban tree canopy where possible. - Targeted support for youth programming and prevention work in parks that have seen violent incidents.
Council response and next steps Council members acknowledged the remarks and thanked the speakers for coming forward. Council members indicated the capital program adopted at the meeting includes park studies and projects; Joshua Brown said he will provide additional materials and plans to council staff and members to help shape design decisions. No formal action on specific park improvements was taken at the June 10 meeting; Brown said he will return with additional documentation.
Ending Speakers asked the council to pair safety infrastructure with community-led planning; the council adopted a multi-year capital program the same night that, council members said, will be used to prioritize individual projects and guide future funding decisions.
