Northwood News ♦ December 2004

No Response on North Four Corners Park

To date, we have received no formal response to our input at the last Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning (MNCPPC) public meeting on North Four Corners Park (held on September 23rd).  We hope to have something to report at our December 15 membership meeting.

On October 21st, Carole Barth testified at a public meeting on the MNCPPC FY06 operating budget.  She presented three park-related budget issues:

• a request that the FY06 budget include funds for training park development staff in community-based planning techniques;
• a proposal that new capital improvements (like soccer fields) be contingent upon funding for managing and maintaining those facilities; and
• a proposal that the budget include funds to return the trash cans to North Four Corners Park.  (See article on the trash can issue.)

On November 15th, Carole Barth went to the Indian Springs Civic Association (ISCA) to seek their support in our battle to preserve and improve North Four Corners Park.  The members attending passed a resolution authorizing ISCA to send a letter of support to Park and Planning.  Burnt Mills has already sent a letter and also testified at the September 23rd public meeting.  Woodmoor gave us a preliminary resolution of support early in the process.  It is especially important to get the backing of all the Four Corners communities since North Four Corners is considered a local park serving more than one neighborhood.

Finally, there is a group arguing that MNCPPC soccer fields should become permit-only facilities.  In other words, anyone wishing to play on a field would need to obtain a permit first.  As residents surrounding North Four Corners park can testify, merely requiring a permit does not protect the neighborhood from inconsiderate park users or mitigate the damage caused by over-programming.  We should have an update on this issue at the December 15 membership meeting.   ■