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Residents tell Greenwood board proposed Freedom Springs roads, parking risk neighborhood safety and light pollution
Summary
During public comment at the Feb. 3 Greenwood meeting, residents urged the board to pause plans for internal roads and a Gateway-area parking lot in the Freedom Springs Park master plan, citing light pollution, cut‑through traffic and maintenance capacity concerns; board members said they had not been presented the final master plan.
Several Greenwood residents used the Feb. 3 public-comment period to press the Parks & Recreation Board to reconsider elements of the proposed Freedom Springs Park master plan.
Jason Cash, who identified himself during comments, said neighbors are frustrated that roads and parking components have been repeatedly proposed and later postponed, and he asked whether parks staff are listening to surrounding neighborhoods. Cash said a proposed parking lot off Gateway would create "more light pollution" visible from backyards and warned that new roads could become cut-throughs, citing local examples. He asked to be notified of future meetings and to see the detailed master plan before board approval.
A board member responded that the board had not been presented the final master plan and therefore could not fairly comment on specific proposals; the member encouraged residents to attend upcoming public meetings when the plan is presented in full. The board member said it would be premature to make commitments without reviewing the actual proposed drawings and materials.
Nathan Johnson, who stated his address during comment, told the board he lives adjacent to the park and disagreed with claims that the fields were underutilized; he cited frequent summertime use and expressed concerns about property values if a road were routed immediately behind houses. Johnson also raised maintenance issues — including the condition of the pool and field upkeep — asking whether the city can maintain existing facilities before expanding them. He said he would attend future meetings to follow the issue.
Board discussion during the public-comment exchange focused on process: staff and board members insisted the final master plan has not been formally presented and encouraged residents to look at posted materials and attend the next public presentation. Staff said they would take residents’ concerns into account when the plan is formally submitted for review.
