Kris Kirschner/Eyewitness News
Greenwood - It was to be the jewel of the city's parks system, but now plans for a new aquatics center and park are on hold. A petition drive stopped the project before it began.
It isn't the snow that has put the freeze on construction of the new 75-acre mega park. It was a petition that garnered enough signatures to stop funding for Freedom Park. The petition was delivered door to door by a retired sheet metal worker.
"There's a difference between needs and wants," said Karl Kreck, park opponent. "And this is not a need. It's a want."
Kreck, 80, says he doesn't oppose a new park. But he does question the $11.5 million price tag and the increase in property taxes to help pay for it.
"This could be done in a different manner," Kreck said.
The plan for Freedom Park was to build trails, athletic facilities and aquatic center to replace the city's aging public pool, something Shandolyn Scott says is needed in this community.
"There's a lot of people that stay at home with their kids during the day, during the week, not a lot to do," said Scott.
The mother of two says it's challenging to find ways to keep her two young boys entertained. They found Greenwood's "Bouncertown" for the winter months, but were looking forward to more family fun at Freedom Park this summer. Scott doesn't mind paying for it.
"Not everything you pay taxes on you get use out of," she said.
While there was a lot of support for the new park, there was more opposition. So while the city already broke ground, and hoped to dedicate the park this summer, now those plans are on hold. Construction is already underway. Now the city will have to wait at least a year to figure out ways to pay for it.
"Why not start a fundraising campaign?" suggested Kreck.
Until everyone can agree on the method, the means for building a new park will remain on ice.
Opponents raised just 100 more signatures than supporters for the project. The Parks Board President tells Eyewitness News they'll challenge the final tally. The city hopes to continue development on the project with funds from the parks budget.
