Northwood News ♦ December 2005

Opposing Plans Now That Soccer Field is Approved

By Carole Barth

As you’ve probably heard by now, in September the Planning Board approved the MNCPPC staff facility plan for North Four Corners Park with the additional soccer field and parking lot.  While this was upsetting, after three years of MNCPPC intransigence, it was not unexpected.  This also means that the real fight will take place during the the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget process, where MNCPPC projects must compete for funding along with every other agency’s CIP projects.  In this context, spending $5.8 million dollars for a soccer field, parking lot, and some minor improvements could well be a hard sell for MNCPPC.

On 1 November, county agencies sent their budget proposals for CIP projects in fiscal years (FY) 2007-2012 to the County Executive’s office.  (North Four Corners Park was included in the recommendation for FY12.)  The County Executive will make his recommendation for all county capital improvements (including park projects) by 15 January 2006.  The County Council will hold hearings in early February and work sessions in February and March, and will adopt a final CIP in late May.

NFCCA is arranging meetings with decision-makers now so we can brief them about our concerns in advance of this process.  We are also seeking support from neighboring civic associations to demonstrate that we have legitimate concerns and we realize this park serves more than just our neighborhood.  Most recently, South Four Corners Civic Association has agreed to write a letter in our behalf.

In the meantime, we will continue to pursue management and maintenance issues related to the existing park facilities and to hold Park and Planning accountable for the park-related problems our community continues to experience.  For more information or to help with this issue, contact Carole Ann Barth at [contact details redacted].   ■