Resident concerned over state of Liberty Park
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Some patrons and organizers of sports teams that meet at Liberty Park have expressed concerns over the ongoing construction at the city's wastewater treatment plant and the effect it has had on the overall appearance of the park.
Bill Mangus, who utilizes the park's trails, wrote to Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt, along with other area leaders, and members of the media, saying that Liberty Park was being "destroyed" due to the construction.
"Liberty Park in Hillsboro is being destroyed by the water/sewer stimulus project," Mangus said. "The heavy equipment has ruined the road which leads to the YMCA, resevoir and ball fields, so much so that cars drive through the grass rather than risk damage to their cars from the potholes. The heavy equipment has ruined the landscaping. The 3 mile trail is now impassable due to the heavy equipment operators' sloppy path to an area where they park their vehicles. This park is used by many people and sports teams. It is one of the best assets of our town, and it very disappointing to see it in such bad shape."
Holt told The Highland County Press that he was aware of the condition of the park, and that it had been anticipated as an inevitable side effect of the necessary construction.
"The organizations were notified before the construction was started," Holt said.
Holt said that he responded to Mangus regarding his concerns.
In attempt to keep potholes down, over the winter, "the potholes were filled with cold mix," Holt said. "With all the rain we have had recently, that was washed out."
Now that the hot mix for asphalt is available during the summer months, Holt said the potholes on Diamond Drive will be filled.
"The sewer plant upgrade was required by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)," Holt said. "We contacted the YMCA and the different sports associations."
Due to the construction, which began in 2010, Holt said there may be some necessary changes at the park.
"We have worked hard with the contractors to keep the changes to a minimum," Holt said. I understand this is an inconvenience to many that use Liberty Park. I ask those individuals to be patient; from the information that we are receiving from the cities engineer and contractors on the project we should complete the wastewater treatment plant upgrade by the end of 2011, when the project is completed the issues that you have mentioned with the landscaping and the trail will be corrected. The City of Hillsboro does own Liberty Park. The City donated the land to the YMCA for their facility. The soccer association, the peewee football association, coaches pitch association, and the softball association use the park at no cost."
Mangus said that he has used the park trails for running and walking, and attends events at Liberty Park.
"Every September Hillsboro hosts a cross country race with hundreds of athletes and visitors coming to the park. It does not leave a good impression on the public to see it in a mess," Mangus said.
Some patrons and organizers of sports teams that meet at Liberty Park have expressed concerns over the ongoing construction at the city's wastewater treatment plant and the effect it has had on the overall appearance of the park.
Bill Mangus, who utilizes the park's trails, wrote to Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt, along with other area leaders, and members of the media, saying that Liberty Park was being "destroyed" due to the construction.
"Liberty Park in Hillsboro is being destroyed by the water/sewer stimulus project," Mangus said. "The heavy equipment has ruined the road which leads to the YMCA, resevoir and ball fields, so much so that cars drive through the grass rather than risk damage to their cars from the potholes. The heavy equipment has ruined the landscaping. The three-mile trail is now impassable due to the heavy equipment operators' sloppy path to an area where they park their vehicles. This park is used by many people and sports teams. It is one of the best assets of our town, and it very disappointing to see it in such bad shape."
Holt told The Highland County Press that he was aware of the condition of the park, and that it had been anticipated as an inevitable side effect of the necessary construction.
"The organizations were notified before the construction was started," Holt said.
Holt said that he responded to Mangus regarding his concerns.
In attempt to keep potholes down, over the winter, "the potholes were filled with cold mix," Holt said. "With all the rain we have had recently, that was washed out."
Now that the hot mix for asphalt is available during the summer months, Holt said the potholes on Diamond Drive will be filled.
"The sewer plant upgrade was required by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)," Holt said. "We contacted the YMCA and the different sports associations."
Due to the construction, which began in 2010, Holt said there may be some necessary changes at the park.
"We have worked hard with the contractors to keep the changes to a minimum," Holt said. I understand this is an inconvenience to many that use Liberty Park. I ask those individuals to be patient; from the information that we are receiving from the cities engineer and contractors on the project we should complete the wastewater treatment plant upgrade by the end of 2011, when the project is completed the issues that you have mentioned with the landscaping and the trail will be corrected. The City of Hillsboro does own Liberty Park. The City donated the land to the YMCA for their facility. The soccer association, the peewee football association, coaches pitch association, and the softball association use the park at no cost."
Mangus said that he has used the park trails for running and walking, and attends events at Liberty Park.
"Every September Hillsboro hosts a cross country race with hundreds of athletes and visitors coming to the park. It does not leave a good impression on the public to see it in a mess," Mangus said.
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