I promise that this will be the last posting I put up regarding Poplar Lane Park. Why? Because even I am sick and tired of discussing it. And, if I'm tired of it, I can imagine how everyone else feels about discussing it any further.
Why was I against the park being put in? A few major reasons. Number one, it's in a flood plain. Additionally, the Illinois River continues to silt in at a relatively rapid pace, so no matter what the Army Corps of Engineers might tell us, if you fill in the bowl with more sand, it holds less water. The flooding is only going to get worse.
Second, it was a duplication of services. Bielfeldt Park is just across Galena Road from Poplar Lane, and it has all of the services that Poplar Lane Park offers, except for the basketball hoop. More importantly, it's not in a flood plain.
Third, it's at the end of a dead end street. With a lot of use, this would be disruptive for the few houses on Poplar Lane. As it turns out, it's not used all that often, so the neighbors have been just fine with it being there. But, that's not what a public park is put in for.
Fourth, the costs. Over $225,000.00 of Village money was put towards Poplar Lane Park. For all of the above reasons, it should never have been considered, but just imagine what else that $225,000.00 could have been used for.
Now, the park is flooded again. We just paid $1,000.00 to have the most recent flood debris cleaned up a couple of weeks ago... now we're back to square one once more.
At the "Peoria Heights of the Future" meeting we had several days ago, an audience member stated that she felt that the money spent on Poplar Lane Park was a waste. I had to respond that while I agreed with her, the park is here, we need to maintain it, and we hope people will use it. My opponent in the upcoming election began yammering at the lady after the meeting, saying how the park got rid of the trailer park that was there, the bad tavern that was there, etc. etc. As if those things could not have been gotten rid of WITHOUT the park as part of the equation. Wrong.
How about just leaving it alone? Clear out the trailers... clear out the ravaged tavern... but then LEAVE IT ALONE. IT FLOODS. The feds paid for the buy-outs of the properties, so that there would be no further flood insurance pay-outs in the future... there was no money paid for these properties on the part of Peoria Heights. Now, JUST LEAVE IT ALONE. We already pay taxes on Bielfeldt Park for its maintenance. But, since Poplar Lane floods (and OFTEN!), why not just leave it alone; let it flood; after all, it IS a flood plain.
Well, I've talked this issue to death. It's over with and done; we have the park, and that's all there is to it. But, once more, I think it's representative of the sometimes odd (and expensive) projects that Mr. Carter was fixated on. I believe that Streetscape would have been the next "project" in line, and would have made Poplar Lane Park look like sheer brilliance.
So, now I promise... I won't bring this up any more. I just want the river to go back down.
I must agree with you on most of what you say, but the title of this blog bothers me. I think you should change it to A Response From Mayor Allen. Even though I agree with most of what you say, the title insinuates that you are speaking on behalf of "Peoria Heights", when in fact you are not. You are speaking your opinion, not mine. So, even those who voted for you,as I did, don't agree with everything you have done. This is the first time I have looked at this blog. The first thing that came to mind when I saw it was the title. I'm not responding to anythng,you are. Yet I am part of Peoria Heights. As much as I hope that E. Carter doesn't get elected, I don't like to feel as though I am being used as a political tool. But...It's your blog...just giving my opinion. Maybe I'm over examining this, but my wife agrees.....so I can't be wrong!! good luck!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... well, I'm hoping that most people know that it is MY take on things here in the Heights, and the fact that I allow comments to be made (even negative ones), I'm also hopeful that people understand it is STILL my response only. And, the reason the word "response" was used in the title was to set this up as a "response" to the upcoming Peoples Party newspaper.
ReplyDeleteI liked the title, sort of like folks using "Peoria" in the title of their blogs, even though they're not speaking for all of Peoria, obviously. Yours is the first concern I've run across regarding this... let me think about it.
I do appreciate the support (particularly in the voting area)... and, like you, I normally have to gauge whether things are right or not through my wife.
You know, it doesn't look nearly as pretty as the original title, but I've always believed in "truth in advertising." So, let me know what you think.
ReplyDeleteActually I think the park was a great idea. There are hardly any spots along the Illinois river that the average Peorian is allowed access to and this was a great addition for that reason alone. Being a resident of Peoria for the past 55 years I have been so disappointed that nothing free along the river is ever provided for the public.
ReplyDeleteThe recent addition of the Peoria Riverfront park a decade ago didn't last long for the public - now it is so overrun with commercial establishments, boat docks, pay concerts and other events that results in the entire park getting blocked off and locking us out unless we pay out some major cash. It's getting pretty difficult to get to the water for fishing or even just plain sight-seeing.
Poplar Lane Park has a great view of Upper Peoria Lake and I love going there. So what if the park requires some maintenance, what worth having doesn't?
Actually I think the park was a great idea. There are hardly any spots along the Illinois river that the average Peoria is allowed access to and this was a great addition for that reason alone. Being a resident of Peoria for the past 55 years I have been so disappointed that nothing free along the river is ever provided for the public.
ReplyDeleteThe recent addition of the Peoria Riverfront park a decade ago didn't last long for the public - now it is so overrun with commercial establishments, boat docks, pay concerts and other events that results in the entire park getting blocked off and locking us out unless we pay out some major cash. It's getting pretty difficult to get to the water for fishing or even just plain sight-seeing.
Poplar Lane Park has a great view of Upper Peoria Lake and I love going there. So what if the park requires some maintenance, what worth having doesn't?
I see that you don't post dissenting opinions that make a good point.
ReplyDeleteActually, Augy, I don't check this blog every day, so that's why your comment(s) weren't posted in a more timely manner (less than 1 day).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you enjoy Poplar Lane Park. I still don't believe that it was a wise investment; public access could have been made into this area without sinking close to $500,000.00 of public money into it. But, we can agree to disagree about the need and use of the area; I'm just glad that you're taking advantage of the park.
For those wondering where other access points for the public along the Illinois River are, the promenade in downtown Peoria is beautiful, and it follows a LONG stretch of the river. It's free and open to the public. I've been down there a number of times, and never been "locked out" as Augy apparently has. Detweiller Marina is a nice view, as well, and open to the public. Woodruff Athletic Field has a nice drop down to the river, and it is nice, as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Peoria Water Works area used to have a pretty neat view at the river. I haven't been down there for years, so I can't be certain how it is now. The old Al Fresco Park, across from Jim Barnett's business, certainly isn't maintained as a park, but has open public access to great views and actual springs. The area at the end of Longshore subdivision in the Heights is owned by the Peoria Park District, and after a short hike, one can be right on top of the river, right along the shoreline. Plenty of people fish around there.