>“[Ward Park] has always been on the backburner to something else in the city," said Mayor Arthur Vigeant. "This is going to elevate it ... to the top of the list of the projects.”<

Why hasn't having a nice place for families of Marlborough to play and enjoy recreation ever been at the top of the list? Really, we have to TAKE AWAY a popular portion of the park in order to improve it? Marlborough's Open Space and Recreation Plan 2010-2015 said of Ward Park "This is an important park for the center city and is used heavily by the residents and sports groups." Wouldn't this evaluation be enough to move it to the top of the list? Why take land away from what the city itself calls "an important park"?

>The city's Parks and Recreation Commission has already released the land for the Senior Center to the city from the grounds of the park.<

A Recreation Commission member spoke at the recent public meeting saying all the cites fields were "over used". I just don't understand then, why they would give up this land which forces youth sports OUT to find a field that is already over used.

>"Five to seven years in government speak is probably closer to 10 to 12 years,” <

So let's do away with government speak and just tell it like it is.

>It is not something that is being shoved down anyone’s throats,<

At the beginning of the public meeting the Mayor didn't seem interested in hearing concerns about why the 13,000 sq ft building shouldn't be put on a public park. He said he only wanted questions relating to his plan as it moves forward. There are abutters not less than 20 yards from the proposed site who have not had a singe correspondence from the city. There was no public discussion and no opinions solicited from the neighbors prior to it simply being announced that this was the chosen site. It certainly feels like it is being shoved down peoples throats.

How sad, the concerns of many residents expressed so passionately to the councilors and mayor were not taken seriously before posting yet another statement from the city to push a building onto the land where families play. Much play happens right on that space, coupled with the climbing structure because the other parts of the park are wet and muddy. The sports teams use the larger field and they need to use that space, so others use the baseball space. Why not take all that passion from the room at recent discussion and find a most suitable place for seniors. Give seniors much more respect than being squished into a very small residential neighborhood with flooding of water that comes right down Water Street and Water Terrace and Orchard Street hill. This is not the right place, we have many suggestions for where to locate a new building however are never even asked. Put the concerned community together and make a much better decision for everyone. Someone has to take the step backwards out of this terrible plan proposal. WORK with the entire community more, to find out a best space for the seniors, which in turn will bring even more helpful support for the seniors! This is not the space. Fix the park without contingency of a building to make it best for the children.

Hey concerned neighbor, like someone said at the meeting - why not put two buildings up on the park land and improve it twice as much. :-)

I never bring my kids there anyway. the playground slides get super hot after being in the sun. no shade for the playground. I wouldn't slide on that slide in pants, never mind shorts. OUCH!! maybe if they put in trees around the area of the playground, people would actually use it. Hello the swings are BLACK, and really heat up!

The city has really missed the mark with this one. I own my home in this neighborhood. I purchased my home partly because of this park. This is a residential neighborhood not a place to build a 2 story monstrosity that serves only a portion of the community. The park has been used for so many events over the years as well as serving the community as a whole. The recreation area of Ward Park is vital to our home's value, not to mention attracting buyers if I ever decide to sell my home. How dare the mayor and the city council make any decision that negatively impacts mine and my neighbors quality of life in the homes that we purchased in the City of Marlborough. The same city that we pay are taxes too. Which by the way, they have approved a $500,000 to be used to explore the feasibility of this site. Yes folks, in government speak this isn't "real money" it's just figures on a piece of paper. It sure would be nice if my taxes dollars weren't my real money.

I can assure the city that me and many of my neighbors will continue to fight against this propose senior center in our neighborhood. If you, like me, are against this proposed building site and would like to have your voice heard please contact your city councilor.
If you would like to contact me please leave your email address in your remarks and I will get in touch with you. Thanks

PROVE IT Mayor Vigeant - commit to a new Master Plan of the entire area, Senior Center and all - scratch the most recent CDM plan and make it your own, turf the field if you want to, just PROVE you are going to make it better and demonstrate how - until then, it is just another empty promise. I don't doubt the fact that having a Senior Center at the Park would make it 'easier' to get funds for renovation....but is this the best we can do?....make an unpopular move so things are easier? Take away a portion of the park from the kids with a promise to put it back in 12 years? It is a shame that they "finally have a few million dollars" to spend and Ward Park, the neighborhood who invested in it, and the kids' play area gets pushed aside again.

It is a shame they are going to spend $500,000 on a feasibility plan that will prove there is not enough parking to support a Senior Center. An earlier PATCH article reported a list of positive reasons for the proposed site - one was "70-100 parking spaces" - really? I counted 64 there NOW and that is before the zoning requirements for a 13,000 sq ft building and nonnegotiable ADA guidelines, handicap spaces and bus/van turnaround clearance. Save the $, and find a location that will work for ALL the residents.

It is a shame that 5-7 yrs = 10-12 in gov yrs. Does that mean the Seniors will have to wait 12 years to walk on the track?

Astounding, how our 'elected officials' run their own ship and make 'growth decision's' without their constituents full support. As a senior citizen, I can attest that the need is very real, however I believe the City Council and Mayor should have given the large parking and green space behind Liberty Hills Senior Apt's as a location. There is seemingly enough space there, IF they were to place the parking beneath the structure (feasible, and Saves future site maintenance costs like plowing, etc.)

There's an online petition to stop the taking of Ward Park land. Go to www.savewardpark.com to learn more and sign.

How about instead of bribing people with "grants" (which comes from tax payers, so just increases taxes in the long haul) that we instead use some of the rainy day fund money to improve the park. Either rent a building for senior center usage, or repurpose what we already have for buildings. Does Marlborough need to continue to be in the real estate business? Look at the crumbling buildings we already have, obviously we do not do a good job on maintenance.

Yes it is a bribe. They're saying - we'll improve the park but only if we take a chunk of it away and put up a 13,000 square foot two story building. That is an awful trade off. One that would resonate down to future generations. Leave the park land alone and simply improve it for the sake of the children. Look at the ice skating rink, a wonderful addition to the park and exactly the area the Mayor wants to take away from the children.

If you've got 7 mil to spend on a senior center you can certainly use that money to "spruce up" Ward Park without building on it.