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Senior Center/Skate Park/City Masterplan

I've been disappointed by the lack of parks and recreation opportunities in Silverton. So, I've been following the "parks and rec masterplan" as it worked its way through the planning and city council system. I volunteered to be on the committee, but I was told "no thanks we have all we need." Anyway..

I caught the Monday September 10th council meeting on television and was impressed with (?) Dan Harris' public comments. He said the park & recreation masterplan had great goals including a pedestrian and bike friendly community. Unfortunately, in this document THE SPECIFIC PLANS (what parks are needed, where community buildings, sidewalks,and bike lanes should go) DO NOT SUPPORT THE GOALS! If the goal is to be a pedestrian and bike friendly community, that town plans and builds their community buildings (schools, sporting facilities, post office, city hall, library, senior center) and parks in the middle of residential and business areas. I AGREE!

Check it out yourself. Google "smart planning" and "pedestrian friendly planing." The main idea is: "If it is a short and safe distance, citizens will choose to be healthy and walk? Not enough time? Take your bike! Too far? Take transit/carpool.

The parks & rec masterplan shows that the SENIOR CENTER WILL BE BUILT BEHIND ROBERT FROST SCHOOL--not near any houses or other gathering areas. If you are familiar with the area, you might agree that this is not a place where it feels safe to walk or bike. It will take millions of dollars in sidewalks, streetlights, and bike lanes to make walking or biking to the Senior Center possible, much less an enjoyable or safe. THE CITY HAS ALREADY HIRED ARCHITECTS.

Oh, and we hear from "the Consultants" that SENIOR CENTERS CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET ON THEIR OWN. So the plan is to put a (noisy) SKATE PARK NEXT DOOR TO THE SENIOR CENTER to "foster inter-generational relationships." On the other side, we'll need to BUILD A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR COMMUNITY SPORTS CENTER (paid for by ?) TO PROP UP THE SENIOR CENTER.

Many senior citizens for safety reasons don't drive. Skaters under 16 can't drive, and are dependent on car rides from their working parents. Why would we put these new facilities on the edge of town, away from where people really live? If it is to be a senior CENTER, shouldn't it be located in the CENTER OF TOWN, not built on the edge?

When was this location purchased and chosen? Was the city council agenda, specifying this discussion, published in advance in our local paper (as required by Oregon Law)??? The city says they "consulted with the stakeholders" decide. Who were they? How were they chosen? Are they the same "power brokers" asked over and over?.

We have many neglected buildings and vacant lots that could be recycled. Perhaps the old high school-save what parts are restorable, and use the plentiful parking and acreage for a senior/community sports/ complex. The sewers, streets and some sidewalks are already in place. What about the old lumber yard? Talk about potential! The Quikrete site?

I've talked with many Silvertonians, some senior, some not. I haven't met one person who thinks the location behind Robert Frost for the new Senior Center is a good idea.

Most importantly HOW WILL WE PAY FOR THIS? The city has a $100,000 grant, and will receive another $100,000 IF THE COMMUNITY DONATES A MATCHING $100,000. The estimated COST OF THE SENIOR CENTER HASN'T BEEN DISCLOSED! HOW MUCH THE ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AND REQUIRED NEW INFRASTRUCTURE WILL COST? I can only guess.

cindy's picture

Senior Center/Skate Park/City Masterplan

Very good post! keep up the good work.
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Alluscion's picture

it seems as though many

it seems as though many cities put skateparks on the edges of town.
The phrase "out of sight out of mind" comes to mind..

I think the misconception that skaters are dangerous hoodlems, just hasnt escaped the minds of older generations, because of that they tend to want to put the children as far away as possible. (go look at where Canby skate park was placed-well now i think they built residential areas around it but in its early years it was on one side a vacant field that was HUGE the other side was an industrial park..far away from sight-but kids found a way to get there, even if it meant walking across town)
As for putting a seinior center beside the skate park.. i feel mixed... Elder people tend to find ( i am guessing here-since i am not near seinority)young folk in either 2 ways the "kids these days"mentality and in the other hand find themselves refreshed by the lively hood of youth.. I do think generational gaps should be crossed and tightened connectivity is necessary, I dont think a skatepark in proximity of the senior center is really going to do that.. Perhaps asking the seniors who will be in the center what they think-and the skaters that skate what they think.. Since it it them not the people who are planning it who are going to be actually dealing with the repercussions.

I mean why should a planner who will(hypothetically) never set foot in neither place be the person to make the descision.. perhaps it is best to poll the community....