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Editorial
Community residents hoped that the end result of the city budget process would include at least some money for repairs in the park. Councilman Oliver Koppell said he requested $2 million. But no funding was appropriated. At the same time, another $400,000 of capital funding for the renovation of the park's northern entrance, appropriated by Councilwoman June Eisland, Koppell's predecessor, seems to have disappeared. As a candidate in 2001, Koppell said the Oval was one of his top priorities and proposed creating a comprehensive plan to renovate the Oval in collaboration with the community.Local community groups did draft a plan that prioritized the repair of the park's fence, its paths and entrance, and the replacement of the southern playground. However, it's unclear whether Koppell has signed on to the plan because his budget request was for the rehabilitation of the track and installation of an artificial field in the middle of it. Some community residents opposed the use of turf in the park. Others park users, particularly the school soccer teams that often use the park, support a turf field. This is a question that the community should discuss and try to come to a consensus on. Perhaps Koppell can facilitate such a discussion. For next year, before the councilman submits a budget request, everyone needs to get on the same page or the same thing will happen again. In the meantime, is that $400,000 for the northern entrance of the park lost forever? And can the Parks Department identify emergency monies to repair the most dangerous sections of fencing? Councilman Koppell should take the lead in finding out. The other complication in seeking money for the Oval is that in future budget negotiations the Council is likely to rely on the $200 million promised for Bronx parks in return for approval of the Van Cortlandt Park site for the filtration plant. But that money is not supposed to be a substitute for the regular maintenance of parks in the borough. All this makes it even more critical that community leaders, including Councilman Koppell and other elected officials, speak with one voice when it comes to the Oval. News Takes a Break We are grateful to our readers, members and advertisers for all of your support and we look forward to our continued relationship in the coming months and years. Enjoy the summer, everybody.
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The
Williamsbridge Oval is in need of immediate attention. There's no better
illustration of this than the photo accompanying this editorial. The
problem with the park's fencing is not limited to this one broken
section, but it serves as a symbol of the dangerous conditions in the
heavily used Norwood park. What if a child had been leaning against that
piece of fence when it fell?