The impact of Stuart Opdahl knows no bounds. Schools have long served as recreation areas for local neighborhoods, and as we look at the Spring Hill requests for a park, we can see the heavy hand of Opdahl incompetence wielding its usual damage. Jefferson school sits in the area, overcrowded, falling apart and much needed in the neighborhood. Yet, it is the Jefferson funds that Opdahl raids to “cover” for his construction shortfalls, and it is Jefferson school that loses its atheletic fields for trailers and tennis courts for parking.
Opdahl, if we all recall, is also the “brilliant mind” that develops enrollemnt projections and staffing needs. I think its safe to conclude that Opdahl has not interest in serving the spring hill community, oh wait, why limit it there, does he actually server any community in Norwalk?
Spring Hill residents are naturally concerned that the City should do something. The City does not own land in the area, and Norwalk Hospital is certainly a big chunk of property ownership in the area. It is odd that there are not rehabilitative walking trails and greenery around the hospital, with the stunning views off the hill overlooking Norwalk, you’d think that hosptial officials would think about that competitive advantage. Or maybe I’m just too influenced by Hollywood, where the hospital always is next to a park.
From the Hour:
As the city and residents work to spruce up Cranbury Park and Veterans Memorial Park, as well as shape Oyster Shell Park into a model “green” park, Spring Hill residents are acutely aware of what they’re lacking.
They say 9,000 people live in their area, including many families with children, who long for a place to play baseball or throw a Frisbee.
The need for a park is exacerbated by the growing number of condominiums in the neighborhood, according to Witkowsky.
Witkowsky isn’t alone in pressing for a park.
Last Wednesday night, Al Raymond, president of the Spring Hill Neighborhood Association, made the case to members of the Common Council’s Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee, as the committee held an informational meeting about the future of Veterans Memorial Park in East Norwalk.
“After sitting here for a while, hearing all you people talk about the great park that you have, and the beach that you have, and Cranbury Park that everybody can go to and enjoy, I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to stand up here and ask for a park in my neighborhood,” Raymond said. “I am very serious. We have 9,000 people that live in our area. We have no park.”
According to Raymond, the last usable open space disappeared when eight portable classrooms displaced the playground at Jefferson Elementary School. A parking lot now stands where basketball and tennis courts once were, he said.
City officials acknowledge the need for a park in the Spring Hill neighborhood.
Creating such a park, however, is easier said than done. The lack of available land poses the greatest challenge.
“I’ve talked to Al about that and, quite honestly, if people want a stop sign, we can accommodate that,” said Mayor Richard A. Moccia. “But where do I come up with a park? You just don’t manufacture land.”
Moccia said the city will not turn to eminent domain to create a park.
Raymond expressed hope Wednesday night that Norwalk Hospital might have land available.
Excluding the hospital itself, Norwalk Hospital Association owns more than a dozen parcels totaling roughly a half-dozen acres on Truman, Stevens and Maple streets, as well as Magnolia Avenue and Rhodonolia.
The parcels are home to houses, condominiums and medical facilities, according to the tax assessor’s office.
At this point, however, the hospital cannot part with any of the land, according to hospital officials.
“The hospital values the partnership we have with the Spring Hill Neighborhood/Norwalk Hospital area association,” said Maura Romaine, hospital spokeswoman. “However, the hospital does not have any land that is available for a park.”
source: The Hour, Spring Hill residents: We want a park, By ROBERT KOCH, January 12, 2008
