Ward One Councilor Bob Carrier is pleased to announce a follow up neighborhood meeting, Saturday August 15, 2009 at 9 am for the Park Street Park neighborhood. The meeting will take place at the Park Street Park, weather permitting. On July 11, 2009, Councilor Carrier held an initial meeting to gather feedback based upon concerns and comments he’s received regarding the condition of Park Street Park. These concerns have ranged from graffiti and vandalism to the overall condition of the park. Councilor Carrier hopes to replicate a neighborhood effort that took place 15 years ago where the neighbors got involved to rehabilitate the park, based upon similar concerns and conditions of the park.
Approximately 25 attendees turned out to the initial meeting. This second meeting, on August 15, is intended to be a follow up to that meeting. At this second meeting, organizers (Councilor Carrier, Community Services Director Doug Steele, Recreation Director Gary Bannon and Planning Director Christopher Parker) hope to provide responses to the neighborhood regarding questions raised. Additionally, at the end of the first meeting Recreation Director Bannon asked residents to brainstorm on what they would like to see occur at the park. "Gary had asked residents to compile a list of wants for the park, and we hope to gather that information so that preliminary plans can be drafted,” Councilor Carrier said. Furthermore, at the first meeting attendees were asked whether they’d want to be more involved in the process, half the attendees said they did. “We want to take that commitment and talk about the next steps with the residents. This process needs to move forward. I am interested in ensuring the pace of the project meet the community’s needs,” stated the Councilor.
At the first meeting, residents spoke about the need to mulch around the playground equipment, trim trees and improve the general appearance and safety of the park. Community Services Director Doug Steele was able to work with Urban Tree to clear some brush along Park Street. “Crews are slated to trim the trees within the park over the next two weeks,” Director Steele said. Additionally, City crews laid mulch and fixed broken benches. The City is continuing to work with PSNH to see what can be done about lighting. “We are looking to make corrections that do not impact the long term park improvements. We want to work with the residents to develop the long term design of the park, and until then, I wanted my crews to clean the park up and get it back to par,” Director Steele stated.
This meeting is open to all, and organizers hope that landlords will encourage their tenants to please attend this meeting.
