Fairhope, Alabama
WHETHER TO REFURBISH OR DEMOLISH
At Monday's city council work session, a dispute erupted between one citizens' group that wants to demolish and replace the Fairhopers' Community Park playground using more modern materials (composites, plastic) -- and the original construction group that prefers refurbishing with traditional wooden construction.
(Update: Charlene Lee, a spokesperson for the original group, told the Times later that other materials may be used as well, not just wood)
Katie Evans of Play by the Bay said she thought the playground was in such a state of disrepair -- broken, weathered wood, splinters, etc. -- that it should be demolished and was so discouraged by the lack of progress that she initially withdrew her group's offer to help coordinate/finance the project.
Leanne Pearson of the original 1994 group that raised money to construct the playground agreed the structure is in need of repairs, but voiced her group's opposition to completely demolishing the structure and starting anew-- preferring refurbishment instead.
Both groups agreed that the park is in dire need of better handicapped accessibility -- to accommodate children with disabilities and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Pearson: "We have a big problem with accessibility."
COOPERATION PROMISED
After much cajoling by Councilmen Mixon, Stankoski, Kingrea and Ford, the two agreed to collaborate to try and come up with a plan both could support. A new committee was appointed as well to assist in the process -- consisting of Kingrea, Stankoski, Ford, Tom Kuhl, Ken Eslava, and Sherry Sullivan.
Mixon: "... we have two groups interested in the playground ... . I'd like to see ... if we can't reach some common ground."
At Monday's city council work session, a dispute erupted between one citizens' group that wants to demolish and replace the Fairhopers' Community Park playground using more modern materials (composites, plastic) -- and the original construction group that prefers refurbishing with traditional wooden construction.
(Update: Charlene Lee, a spokesperson for the original group, told the Times later that other materials may be used as well, not just wood)
Katie Evans of Play by the Bay said she thought the playground was in such a state of disrepair -- broken, weathered wood, splinters, etc. -- that it should be demolished and was so discouraged by the lack of progress that she initially withdrew her group's offer to help coordinate/finance the project.
Leanne Pearson of the original 1994 group that raised money to construct the playground agreed the structure is in need of repairs, but voiced her group's opposition to completely demolishing the structure and starting anew-- preferring refurbishment instead.
Both groups agreed that the park is in dire need of better handicapped accessibility -- to accommodate children with disabilities and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Pearson: "We have a big problem with accessibility."
COOPERATION PROMISED
After much cajoling by Councilmen Mixon, Stankoski, Kingrea and Ford, the two agreed to collaborate to try and come up with a plan both could support. A new committee was appointed as well to assist in the process -- consisting of Kingrea, Stankoski, Ford, Tom Kuhl, Ken Eslava, and Sherry Sullivan.
Mixon: "... we have two groups interested in the playground ... . I'd like to see ... if we can't reach some common ground."
Comments
Mike Ford's comment about "butt-headed" as reported in the Mobile Press Register was truly a new low for a council representative.
The Fairhope City Council - keeping' it classy.
What is wrong with these people? They are fighting about a playground!
Put your personal agendas aside and make it happen.