On March 28, 2011, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners will be discussing the recommendations made by the land use ad-hoc committee, trying to generate additional revenue for Mt. Lebanon. Recommendations of the land use ad-hoc committee include possible sale of a portion or all of the Mt.Lebanon Golf Course for development, and getting Right of Ways into the tax base. Another recommendation by the committee includes Parks development such as selling off parcels of Bird Park.
I will not be able to attend Monday's meeting, so I will be emailing the Commissioners with my idea, as well posting it here.
Living next to Rockwood Park since 1985, my husband and I adopted the park and enjoyed watching our kids play with their friends. Even when our youngest would ride his "Big Wheel," the neighborhood parents would drink coffee and stay outside with our kids until the streetlight came on. We hosted Foster School "field trips" where the kids and their families would have lunch in the park and we handed out popsicles for dessert. We had many birthday parties under the shelter. But we never let the kids go to the upper parking lot. It is secluded and attracts a lot of illegal activity. I am sure Public Works could tell you what kind of debris is left behind. The neighbors on Rockwood Avenue have been dealing with this issue for years.
So here is my proposal. Develop the upper parking lot of Rockwood Park. The neighbors would welcome five or even six new homes built there. Presently, a new home is being constructed next to the parking lot and will have its own driveway and garage. The old home that was there previously used the upper parking lot since there was no driveway available. It would revitalize the neighborhood, reduce police calls, and the green space would remain untouched, while generating revenue for Mt. Lebanon.
I believe the proposal for Bird Park may be the Washington Rd. section between the northern border of the corner parklet at Beadling (with the Bird Park sign) northward to the southern border of the Christian Science Church property....which would accomodate perhaps 3 home sites. It is currently wooded with many fallen trees, and many evening walkers have expressed concerns about the risk of being accosted in that area.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the so-called Rockwood Park...the childrens playground with a pavilion or picnic table is actually below on Valleyvista, and was a favorite of our grandaughters years ago...preferable even to Foster or Mt. Lebanon Park playgrounds. The Rockwood portion above consists of a largely unused, unkept parking lot with a basketball court of sorts, as I recall...which could and should be removed and converted to home sites.
I am not clear on and do not understand the proposed golf course options. Perhaps someone with better knowledge will be good enough to comment.
Bill Lewis