Residents push back on park plan; city to issue design consultant RFQ

Board members reported strong public opposition to aspects of a proposed park parcel during the chair’s report, and outlined next steps for design and public engagement.

The chair said roughly 75 residents attended a recent engagement and voiced concern about any tree removal or development on the parcel, calling the reaction a ‘‘symptom of residents feeling the pressure of growth.’’ The meeting’s comments, the chair said, echoed feedback collected earlier at a public meeting at the MLK engagement event.

Board members described covenants tied to the grant purchase that require 40% of the site be devoted to active recreation and 35% to flexible recreation. The chair and staff clarified that ‘‘active recreation’’ does not necessarily mean full athletic complexes; examples cited included walking trails, boardwalks, splash pads, disc golf, appropriately sized amphitheaters and sensory gardens.

Amy, a Parks & Recreation staff member, told the board a request for qualifications for a design consultant is expected to be issued within about a month and that public engagement work will continue, transitioning to consultant leadership while the city remains involved. A board member noted that construction must be completed within five years, which the group characterized as a 2031 horizon.

Members acknowledged that the recent council budget vote (which included a 5-cent tax increase) fed some of the public concern about funding and timing; staff said the city had budgeted design work and that further public meetings will be part of the consultant-led process.

Board members said they will revisit parcel recommendations once planning staff hires are complete and that the group will meet with the planning and development director before bringing formal recommendations back to the board.