This letter is to express my concern and dismay at what is happening at Maca Park.
The other day, I took advantage of the nice weather and took my granddaughter for a walk to Maca Park. We thought the playground was still there. We were shocked at the sight of the destruction. All of the shelters were being torn down, the playground was gone, and literally all but maybe four trees in the entire park proper have been marked with big orange X's for removal. Most of these are huge old oak trees. It is a major logging operation. I can't understand why anyone would think that this is OK.
There are plenty of places that are neglected or unused that have already been cleared and paved. Maca Park was a treasure in the city of Tallmadge, a place where families could go to experience a little bit of nature. It is one of the last remaining woods for the displaced deer and other wild animals in our area. The park was there to enjoy year round while an outdoor pool is used for only a few months out of the year.
There are many reasons why this new pool is a bad idea:
1) The community still needs an indoor pool for the swim team and year-round recreation and fitness.
2) Maca Park is a wetland. Runoff has always been an issue for neighbors and building the ground up is expensive and could make matters worse.
3) This is a quiet, residential neighborhood and the pool at Maca Park is very crowded and noisy.
4) Traffic has always been a problem and a danger to our children; it will now increase.
5) The community needs quiet, wooded places to picnic and walk.
6) The wild animals need a home, too.
I don't believe the community has any idea what is happening at Maca Park or that they would support it.
Beverly Jones
Tallmadge