Can You Believe What They Did?

From the Springfield Township Republican Committee's official website (October 9, 2011, unedited)

WHO: Wyndhill Wackos-group of residents who oppose the use of Wyndhill Park for additional playing fields in the township

WHAT: These people oppose the use of this field despite the fact that the Springfield Soccer and Lacrosse Clubs are willing to pay for the renovations which include re-grading and improvement of storm water management. This field has been used for organized sports as recently as 2009 and historically since the building was constructed as a school!

MY WHY QUESTION: WHY NOT create another well maintained shared responsibility park in our community — have they checked out Laurel Beech Park which is maintained by the Springfield Township Parks & Rec as well as Springfield Soccer Club. It is the best maintained field in the township...because of the commitment of Springfield Township Parks & Rec as well as Springfield Soccer Club.

• Is it because they it is ”their park” or because they do not want to clean up after their pet? The latter has been a common complaint from residents who use the park.
• They cite “loitering” as a reason for opposing the re-grading. I am not sure how re-grading the field makes it more attractive to loiterers .The only people who would be attracted to the re-graded field will be young people playing soccer and lacrosse. Those pesky athletes that bring about a positive experience in the community
• They cite “large #’s of kids and cars”. The field is going to be used for the youngest ages in the respective clubs — trust me the parents want to go to the games and they want to leave just as quick because they have other places to be on any given Saturday or Sunday!
• The field is not big enough for adults or even high school age sports so their argument is weak.
• This park was originally a school... schools generally allow kids to play on the grounds.
• The township website refers to softball and tennis courts at the park. Is it only soccer players and lacrosse players that these fools do not want in their neighborhood or is it something more sinister?

Two leading opponents of the re-grading: Commissioner Harbison (who voted to allow the re-grading before changing his mind) and school board member Dan Pickens (who is laughably transparent now that his children are grown) should be called on the carpet. It is a question worth asking these two elected officials; what influenced their decision?

To the Wyndhill Wackos — It is not “your” park. It is “OUR” park, “OUR” being ALL the residents of Springfield Township.

Chris Tomlinson
Chairman Springfield GOP

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Comments

1. Luis Hincapie says (September 15, 2011 at 1:16 am): To the Wackos (residents), since you are so fixed on keeping OUR park as YOUR back yard, perhaps you should buy it from the township, that way the youth of Springfield have ample fields. I am quite tired of paying taxes to maintain YOUR back yard, if I dont have the ability to use it for my young soccer-loving children!!!!!!!

Find something else worthwhile to spend your precious energy to fight for!!!!!

2. Karl Brown says (September 15, 2011 at 2:29 am): Chris.....I don’t always agree with you but I am with you 100% on this one. I was at the commissioners meeting when this came up. I definitely got the sense some of the opponents had the opinion it was “their” park as you suggested in your blog. There were some fair points that need to be resolved...namely, parking and safety on those days when 2-3 games are overlapping. But this is do-able. I appreciate the efforts and willingness of the proponents and opponents of this field renovation to work this out as proposed by the commissioners — I just hope that common sense and fair play for all taxpayers (and not those that just happen to sit adjacent to the park) holds sway.

3. Krista Fitzpatrick says (September 15, 2011 at 1:49 pm): Great job Chris! Thanks for saying what we are all thinking!!!

4. Joan Parsons says (September 21, 2011 at 5:34 am): Wow, They must be democrats or Jeff Harbison’s friends that he is protecting with a park that is for ALL residents. Could this be descrimination????????