Residents oppose proposed Orchard Park sale; lawyer's demand letter and state constitution cited

Several Altoona residents used the public-comment period to urge the city to stop plans they said would remove or sell Orchard Park, a long-standing neighborhood green space, and to press the council to consult with tribal descendants and the public before any transfer.

Chuck Lamarck, who identified himself as a longtime resident, cited language from the city's comprehensive plan and said residents oppose removing park space. "No one in Altoona supports your decision to destroy the park," Lamarck told the council.

Patricia Reed called the proposal "absolutely asinine" and said the city should instead invest in downtown and in green space. Resident Damien Spalone and others said Orchard Park has been used for generations for play, sledding and informal recreation and urged the city to improve, not sell, the park.

Timothy Smith, who identified himself as a retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer and said he had sought comment from the Conestoga-Susquehannock descendants, spoke about the Pennsylvania Constitution's Environmental Rights Amendment (Article I, Section 27) and said a law firm had delivered a demand letter to the city that day. "Stop the sale of Orchard Park," Smith said, adding that he hoped for a negotiated solution but warning that litigation had been threatened.

Council did not discuss or decide on Orchard Park during the meeting. When council members were asked about the demand letter and public remarks, the body declined to comment on threatened litigation and said any response would take place in the appropriate legal forum. A council member noted that no lawsuit had been filed as of the meeting and that the city had been given a deadline to respond to the demand.

No formal action or resolution regarding Orchard Park was presented or voted on at the meeting. Residents said they intend to continue public outreach and to press the council to reverse any decision to sell or repurpose the park.