Closing of Bonner Park and McGough Nature Park Question sent to Largo Mayor and CommissionersPlease respond to this question ASAP. Is it true you are planning to close these two parks? I heard a rumor you are planning to do so and seemingly the public is unaware of these actions. If this is true, please provide specifics as to when this proposal was made along with any details that will allow me to view any public record referencing so. Also, I am strongly " Against" this action if it is true. - Stephen Zahn _____________________________________________________ I am a homeowner in Largo who lives around the corner from Bonner Park. I just received word that Bonner Park is slated to close. This would be a great loss to our neighborhood and we believe its closure would invite unwelcomed activity, and pose safety threats as well. We value the opportunity to take our children to the park for safe and affordable family time and would very much appreciate your assistance in keeping it open. -Michelle Nerney _____________________________________________________ Our Company (Crystal Square, Inc) owns a house on Valentine Trail which borders on Bonner Park on two sides. We bought this property to make it our home as soon as we can sell our present home. The news that you re considering closing Bonner Park is a sudden surprise to us. You just finished putting fence in our back yard last year and not a word was mentioned about closing the park. I am very much opposed to closing the park. What will happen to the land? Can that be done under the grant from Mr. Bonner? Undoubtedly vagrants will come in maybe even drug trades. It will definitely affect our property values. You may lose more in property taxes and law enforcement than it costs to keep it open. - Reinhard Opitz Crystal Square, Inc., President ____________________________________________________ The Recreation, Parks and Arts Department was required to submit a fiscal year 2010 budget with $1 million in cost reductions. This represents approximately 10% of the department's budget. In order to achieve that reduction, a number of personnel and operations had to be proposed for elimination. At the present time, Bonner Park and the Nature Preserve are being proposed for closure. This information was submitted as part of the budget process and, as such, was delivered to the City Commission on July 1. The public discussion of the recommendations will be at the Finance Advisory Board on July 13th and 20th, the City Commission Work Sessions in August, and at two public hearings on the budget in September. Concerned citizens are able to voice their objections during citizen comment at any Regular City Commission meeting at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month, or through letters and/or e-mails to the Mayor and Commission. - Shirley Frick, Mayor/Commission Secretary, City of Largo
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