August 17, 2017

Concerned Citizens:

I wanted to alert you to an important meeting that is occurring tonight.  The City of Milton is updating its Comprehensive Park Master Plan.  Of course, parks–both active and passive–are a key element of a vibrant and cohesive community.  Our City has made progress in updating and expanding our parks.  However, much more is needed.  And that is the purpose of the Master Plan:  to set a future course for our parks.

This blog has strongly advocated for active (and passive) parks.  And despite the recent opening of Bell Memorial Park, we still have a shortage of sports fields.  I fully support the City acquiring additional land for sports fields and for active parks.  (This might even include a Parks Bond.)  However, I strongly believe that such parks need to be centrally located–that is closer to where most people live in Milton.  Traffic is a huge and worsening problem in our City.  Accordingly, parks need to be conveniently located to minimize travel distances and times and thereby ensure maximum utilization.  Parks also need to match the character of the areas of the City where they are located.

It is also critical that any park plan be developed in the context of the City’s greenspace initiatives.  In November 2016, 82% of voters approved a $25M Greenspace Bond to raise monies to fund greenspace initiatives.  Voters spoke loudly and clearly that they want additional greenspace.  The bond-funded greenspace initiatives are clearly meant to supplement the City’s current inventory of greenspace (e.g., Birmingham Park).  In other words, the City’s current greenspace inventory should be viewed as a firm and inviolate baseline for future greenspace initiatives.  Land in this inventory should not be re-purposed for other non-greenspace uses.  Such re-purposing would be tantamount to 1) using greenspace bond monies to subsidize other City initiatives and 2) circumventing the will of voters.

Tonight’s meeting is from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the previous City Hall, now called the Municipal Court, located at 13000 Deerfield Parkway.  Please attend and speak.

Advocating For Citizens,

Tim Becker