After requesting feedback from residents on a proposed use for vacant green space, a lack of positive responses left council members disappointed that more people aren’t enthusiastic about adding to the community.

The survey was distributed to the front doors of the residents that surround O’Connor Crescent and Thompson Drive where the green space is located. The town offered suggestions for possibilities for the green space and also left an area for alternative ideas from the residents.

There are over 75 homes that border either Thompson Drive or O’Connor Crescent and the number of surveys handed out likely exceeds that number. The town said they were looking forward to the feedback from the residents and were happy to set aside money in the budget to bring new recreation to the area.

Their enthusiasm for the new project was not met by the residents with only 18 survey’s being returned and the majority of the responses being negative with little to no suggestions for alternative development.

In the survey, residents were simply asked if they liked or disliked the proposed ideas, or if they had alternate suggestions. The results are as follows

There were five other suggested uses for the space including two votes each for a community garden or spray park, and one vote each for a skateboard park or installing outdoor gym equipment. One resident also suggested that they sell the land to property owners.

Some residents also had some additional comments regarding the development of the space, one of which was concerned about the noise after a certain time and the parking and traffic on the block, stating, “[There are] lots of children on our block.” A Town Council member said he didn’t quite understand the concern and having a lot of children on the block is why the town was wanting to provide a recreation area close to home for them to play at.

 

From this lack of feedback, the town has deemed it inconclusive and will still be looking for suggestions from the community on the space. Mayor Rod Perkins said given the time of the year, this will be a project slated for next year and they would like to have a plan in place before their budget meeting next month.

Town Council members are urging residents to think of the positive aspects the space could bring to the community and are still asking for feedback before making a decision for the vacant space.