I am disappointed to read that housing will be added to Rowan Park. Is this a done deal or will the community have a say? This land is one of the few places the public can go and picnic or just do nothing. I enjoy this park about once a week and love it just the way it is. Who decided to change it, I have not read about any forums to discuss this.

Dear parklover:  Thank you for your comments regarding the proposed Northwest Gateway, which were shared immediately with the consultant.  Please note that these plans are preliminary drafts. The Open House on February 5 and this web page are among the opportunities for the community to learn more about the plans and provide comment.  Based on feedback from staff and the community, the consultants will make revisions before presenting a final draft to the City Council.  For instance, in response to public comment the consultants are examining changes to the housing types and design characteristics.

 

In the plan Rowan Park would continue to be a neighborhood park for picnicking and many other family-oriented activities, with improvements to access, parking, specific features and the overall condition.  While the park area within the existing Rowan Park boundary is reduced, the total park area along Bragg Blvd. (including Rowan, a connecting trail along Bragg Blvd., the new Veterans’ Park and Cross Creek Greenway) is increased substantially.  Similar to previous studies, this plan proposes housing along the edges of Rowan Park to provide increased security through more “eyes on the park” and increased park activity, to help support the various improvements to the park, and to help achieve an important community goal for a larger, stable residential population in the downtown area.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to review the information and share your thoughts about the project.

I think this is tragic considering that there is almost less than anything to do here for family's as it is. Our parks are filthy, my moms and I are constantly picking them up! (we have picked up glass, condoms, crack, poop, weapons, tree cutting pruners,  liquor and beer bottles, food, trash and a cat of 9 tails at Arnette... they are overrun, unsupervised... which I might like to add Rowan is one of them. Whatever program they have going on in that building the people just bring out their lawn chairs and let school aged kids run all over the little kids, unsupervised while they "chat". And now on top of this they are taking away part of a very scenic park that has been in Fayetteville forever for HOUSING? This town boasts of a family environment, a committment to it's "Hometown" feeling yet it seems the true committment when it comes down to it is money!

Christina

Not to mention WHO is going to PLAY in Veterans Park? Its a smidge and a memorial not an actual park for recreation. It's a decoration, not a jungle gym. And then we are expected to what roll our strollers through the downtown area by all the bums to the Cross Creek area... again with nothing but a fountain and some benches. Yet you are taking away the free area to roam and run and get exercise... to swing and pic nic and have fun. Honestly, this was not one of the better decisions for the public.