Ward Park Passion: What Drives Petitioners?
Three members of the Ward Park Neighborhood Association opened up about their connection to Ward Park that has driven them to fight locating a new Senior Center within its boundaries.
While many of the arguments laid out by the Ward Park Neighborhood Association focus on the practical aspect of locating a new $7 million Senior Center within the park's boundaries, at the core of their arguments is an emotional connection to the park that has served the city since the 1920's.
“We’ve raised four kids there and it’s an emotional thing to see them take that park away,” said Ned Femestermacher who abuts the park. “We just think it is a shame that is going to be taken away from our youth. They are taking land away from our park. Period.”
The park is a location for all the people of Marlborough, said Femestermacher who has lived in the area since the late 1970's. The park land was set aside as open space for the people of the city and a large park downtown is not something that should be given up, argues the association.
“It’s not their park. It is our park,” said Femestermacher.
The land has been a park since the 1920's, said Nickolas Michael who has lived in the area for 15 years. This history is not something to be discarded, he said as he referenced a newspaper article from 1923.
“I really like this quote here: 'The project is something present generations will benefit from and future generations will bless those who made it possible.' That’s the kind of history that is being ignored,” said Michael. “The fond memories go all the way back to ’23 and I think that is what is hard for people to come to terms with."
An entire community exists around and in the park, said Chrissy who lived in the area for years and still owns rental properties.
“We have grown together," she said. "It’s a huge community.”
The association has pointed out that the specific land to be used for the senior center is one of the few spots in the city that is available for pick-up field games.
“They play cricket ... they don’t need a permit. It’s just a great open space,” said Michael.
The group is still collecting signatures through an online petition that has netter over 650 signatures so far.
JM
7:03 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Seem like an odd place to put a senior center, just because it would cost more to develop a more appropriate site. But then again, didn't they let a XXX store move into downtown some years back?
Barb Nahoumi
5:44 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
There is a link to the history of Ward Park on the Marlboro Historical Society's webpage. The powers-that-be need to read it and know why Ward Park must not be disturbed.
I think that another site can be chosen for the senior-center. It does not need to be in our park.
resident
11:59 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Right, it doesn't need to be in our park! We have heard that when expressing their opposition to the Mayor or Councilor Elder, residents have been told not to worry, the building will only take away 3% of the park. But three percent of the total park equals 15% to 20% of the FIELD AREA! The Mayor is narrowing the Senior Center to the exact ‘footprint’ of the proposed building. He ignores any paved or grass areas needed around the building, including access drives and building buffer areas. He does include as being part of the park all unusable hills, all parking areas, the playground and the courts.
Calculations show the new Senior Center would occupy or make unusable 15%-20% of the field area at Ward Park. The field areas consist of the area within the quarter mile track and the smaller field with the backstop, which is used by children or smaller groups of adults for pickup games, Youth Cheer leading and winter skating. It is NOT an unused section of the park!