News on Black River
Thirty-nine people attended the Two Rivers Coalition event on Saturday, August 1st. Everyone was made aware of the importance of conservation of clean waters, along with the risks of overdevelopment in the Black River and Paw Paw River watersheds.
Dave Forrester, head of the 501 (c) 3 organization, heralded this first year’s effort to host such a public event. It was a successful day, bringing like-minded people together to kayak, walk and enjoy a picnic in Stanley Johnston Park.
Further on the progress of the linear park proposal in the Dunkley Street area near Celery Pond, another round of city meetings brought the Council to a laborious decision.
Rather than readily giving approval to the five parcels of the lands on Black River, including the old DPW building, the ordinance was amended. The proposed 1.89 acres for a linear park for the people was reduced down to a singular waterfront strip of .48 acres.
Of the 37 acres of public lands which are in public hands, gaining a half-acre of land for the parks department, after over 5 years of people asking to hold their lands, seems disappointing: a baby step to indicate that the lawmakers are listening to their constituents.
We can only hope that the Council will respond to all the people who have been asking for so long, for more lands to be included in the parks system in that area at a later date.
We encourage the Council to reconsider this new linear park to eventually include the two side arm flanks of lands, C2 and C1 and eventually the entire parcel of DPW footprint land, D1. Meanwhile, having the riverfront secure for the public, at least at this date, seems something of measure.
