Wanted: Ideas for better parks

By Shannon Greene

Enquirer Herald

CLOVER -- Hey, Clover! What do you want from your next park?

Marianne Hearsey wants a longer trail system for morning walks with Patch, her 3-year-old rescued greyhound.

Karen Parker, a mother of three, would love to see more playground equipment for older children. "Tennis courts would be nice, too," Parker said.

Now it's your turn to chime in.

The town is soliciting ideas for what to include in a 50-acre park off Memorial Drive. The town recently sent out a survey to park users and residents for input on future parks. The survey also is available at Town Hall or the Recreation Office. Surveys must be returned by Sept. 15.

Town Administrator Allison Harvey said the town hopes to get back at least 100 surveys to get a solid gauge on the community.

She said the survey is for anyone who uses the park, not just town residents.

"It's also for people who don't use parks," she said. "What can we offer at the parks that would make you use them: Is it more accessible playground equipment? Senior events? More fitness? More toddler toys? We don't know the answers and need people to tell us."

Parks and Recreation Director Greg Holmes agreed. "Instead of me saying 'this is what I want' or elected officials saying what they want, we want community input," Holmes said. "Parks are paid for by taxpayers, so we want input by taxpayers."

The 3-page survey lists a wide range of potential activities, from flag football to Geocashing. The survey asks you to rank the importance of each activity on a scale of 1 to 5. It also asks people to circle activities they've participated in over the past year and list other recreation facilities they regularly visit and describe what they do there.

Additionally, the survey asks for input on funding options, from user fees to sponsorship support such as brick sales and naming rights.

"We're going to need all the help we can get," Harvey said. "We're looking for creative ideas. We want to know what the public is willing to do as far as contributions and talents."

The town is aware it needs more recreation fields, Holmes said.

With more than 350 participants this fall, soccer is the town's fastest growing sport.

"We need a soccer complex," Holmes said. "We usually use baseball fields for soccer. We also have a good relationship with the school district and use some of their fields, but we need our own."

The new Lake Wylie Athletic Association has eased some of the strain on Clover's department, but the town wants to prepare for future growth, Holmes said.

Holmes said the goal for the new park is to offer something for everyone.

"It's a community park, so we want to offer something for the whole community," Holmes said. "Everybody doesn't play sports. There are other opportunities out there."

The surveys will be sent to a consultant, who'll come up with several conceptual plans to present at a public hearing in early October, Harvey said. Council will likely vote on it in November, and construction should start early next year.