Calling for Friends of Dearborn Park
Posted on August 9, 2013 by environmental
Dearborn Park is one of the great assets of our neighborhood. For years the MWNA, Renewal Construction, Dekalb County, Park Pride, and the City of Decatur have worked hard to improve the Park. A lot has been accomplished to make it a standout park in the surrounding area, but there’s much more we can do to preserve and enhance its beauty and the usefulness to park goers.
After years of clean up sponsored by Renewal Construction, Dearborn park is much more walkable, safe, and stabilized. Ivy, kudzu, and privet were choking out the younger native plants and trees. Volunteers, County, City, and Park Pride have logged close to 1000 hours stabilizing and recovering areas of the park.
A great benefit of the Renewal sponsored event has been the momentum the Park has gained in the eyes of our County Commissioners and local park supporters. When donors seek a Park supported by the neighborhood where they can make an impact, Dearborn Park is very high on the list.
Now we are at a transition point. We have eliminated most of the large patches of undesireable undergrowth, built some new paths, installed a new playground, and most recently, added some exercise equipment. Benches are on the way. Huge progress!
This year, the Friends of Dearborn Park, MWNA, and Park Pride hope to create a Master Plan with a particular focus on adding a dog park. A Master Plan is a conceptual vision for the Park. It serves as the guide for keeping our efforts on track as we continue to invest in the Park. It should incorporate strategies for making the park more beautiful, safe, and useful.
Having addressed the needs of our your kids in the neighborhood, the Park has a second important group of stakeholders – dog owners and the dogs. This month and next, we will build the first Master Plan for Dearborn Park and plan a dog park. At the end of September, we will submit and compete for a grant to fund the dog park.
If you have an idea for how the Park can be more safe, beautiful, or useful to you and others, please email environmental@midwaywoodsneighborhood.com so you can be invited to our brainstorming and planning sessions.
HausZwei Homes
Posted in Dearborn Park, Midway Woods Neighborhood News