Re: Barker Park
richard herrick
----- Original Message -----From: richard herrickTo: troygoodneighbor ; SC Troy Neighborhood Watch ; sidney fleisher ; SLNAmembers ; Jane Snay ; Merle Farnham ; Charlene DobertSent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 9:08 AMSubject: Barker Park----- Original Message -----From: Robert DohertySent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 7:37 AMSubject: [downtowntroy] Re: Fwd: Barker ParkI have a meeting (planned last week) with A. Bean, theTroy Record reporter, today at 1:30 in Barker Park. I had expected to continue my advocacy for families, businesses and the Park in downtown Troy. Should access to Barker be denied, I assume we'll meet on the Steps of St. Paul's. Please join us if you'd like to see Barker Park open to the fine public and families of Troy. Below is a communication I have sent to my colleagues on the City Council and to our fine Mayor. Bob Doherty, City Councilperson, District 4
Mayor Lou -- Open Barker ParkTwo Third Street business owner’s, Jeff Pfeil (Pfeil’s Hardware) and Robin Vagnini (The counties of Ireland), pressured the Troy City Administration to close Barker Park.
These businesses are excellent in every way; reflect fine taste, and a total investment of person by their proud owners. The business owner’s fears and frustrations with increased use of the Park and surroundings for persons drinking alcohol, panhandling and other misbehaviors are understandable. They need and deserve our business and moral support.
However, directing anger at downtown parent’s who long advocated for children’s recreational equipment installation at Barker or poor people in general, is not acceptable. Pressuring the Administration to remove benches and close the Park is their right. The City of Troy Administration mistakenly complied with these requests.
The installation of children’s equipment was the result of several years of effort. In March, Nora McDowell organized a Saturday morning meeting attended by Lynn Kopka- City Council President, Nina Nichols-City Council at Large, myself -Robert Doherty - District 4 Councilperson several community activists including Richard Herrick and Abby Lublin and many parents and children. We all agreed to support a Children’s playground. I have spent months in follow up advocacy and finally swings were installed in Barker Park, with a promise of installing additional equipment quickly.
In response to concerns, Chris Burke, Executive Director of Unity House organized a monthly meeting earlier this year of interested persons including St. Paul’s pastor, community police (sometimes the Chief himself), Nina Nichols at large Councilperson and chair of Public Safety, myself the District 4 Councilman, the above mentioned business owners, organizers of Friends of Barker Park, Elizabeth Young, BID Executive Director and many care providers and citizens to strategize approaches to effective civic life in and around the Park. This is ongoing, the next meeting is scheduled at 8:30 AM at St. Paul’s on Wednesday Sept. 19th.
Friends of Barker Park raised a significant amount of money, installed fencing consistent with the heritage of the Park. They planted flowers and shrubs making it an inviting and lovely environment. The BID had a standing activity of cleaning the Park at 2 PM each Tuesday.
Reasonable business people, not blinded by frustration, know that a family friendly city will also be a business friendly place. With all of this grass roots commitment and effort, it is not reasonable to close Barker Park. We are not against poor people enjoying a Park, we are not against parents and children enjoying the Park. We are not against anyone, we are for Troy and openness of our historic inviting City.
I call on the Mayor to Open Barker now. I will ask all City Council members to support this request. I will take the request to the public as well.
Robert Doherty, Troy City Councilman, District 4
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