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Residents and former staff urge council to restore Meadows Park Community Center
Summary
Former staff and neighborhood residents said closing Meadows Park Community Center removed vital services for seniors, families and youth and urged council to restore funding or find a local solution; speakers recounted food distribution, programming and social support the center provided.
During the citizens’ comment period council heard sustained testimony about Meadows Park Community Center and its recent closure. Former employees and program participants said the center provided food distribution, after‑school programs, senior activities and other services that neighborhood residents rely on.
Former Meadows Park staffer Christine Anderson testified the closure “would be a wound to an entire community,” saying that programs often served dozens to hundreds of families and that many residents — seniors, low‑income households and parents with children — lack transportation to other centers. Karen Fleming, a former 17‑year employee, described the center as a trusted partner that delivered food assistance and youth programs and urged the council to reinstate funding and dialogue with the community.
Council members acknowledged the testimony and said staff would pursue listening sessions and solutions; several councilmembers and staff promised additional outreach and a community solutions team to explore alternatives to full closure.
