Does This Royal Oak Park Look 'Underutilized' to You?

The following letter was written by Royal Oak resident Ted Page.

Regarding the Royal Oak Patch article about the city discussing selling underutilized parks to create funds to fix other parks; This isn't the first time this topic has come up.  I personally feel it is most ludicrous thing a city can think to do.  It would be the municipal version of selling off a child to better feed the others.  A ridiculous notion and one that we can and must rally against.  Let your voices be heard!  Email the city commission until they give up on this idea once and for all.  

The city should not consider these parks as properties that they can barter with.  These parks are dedicated for this use and would require a vote from the public to sell.  Regrettably the city has placed two of our treasured green spaces on the list of underutilized parks.  Fulton Park (aka Spider Park) and Arthur Fries Park (Beverly Circle).  I have no idea how they categorize a park as underutilized.  A park is much more than just a play ground.  It is open space, a green space.  A place to be enjoyed by seeing it as much as using it.  The park is part of a neighborhood and is part of what makes a neighborhood. 

Selling parks hurts the value of the homes in the area and for this to be to some short term benefit of parks in other areas makes no sense to me.  Chances are that any monies made would go to the general fund any way.  Sorry to rant but it makes me mad.  I have been steaming about it all weekend. 

Ted Page
Royal Oak Beverly Hills Improvement Association President