Silver Lake OKs Sitting Park At Old Marathon Lot

BY LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor

SILVER LAKE - Silver Lake is getting a new sitting park, despite opposition from a few residents.

Discussion and plans for the park - to occupy the old Marathon Station lot in Silver Lake - have been going on for several months at town council meetings, where the public has been asked to voice their feelings on the plans.

Council members received the first negative feedback on the park last month, after five months of discussion, when they decided to hold off on the plans until Tuesday's meeting.

"It's been talked about in every meeting since November," council president Brenda Wadkins said, "... and it's been in the paper."

The town's meeting room was filled Tuesday with residents - some opposing the park and some supporting it.

"This proposed park would be a revitalization start for the downtown area," Chuck Herschberger, 15-year Silver Lake resident, said.

Some residents thought the lot would be best used for parking rather than as a park.

Wadkins explained to residents that there would be fewer parking spaces available with a parking lot than with the plan for the park.

The park's design includes a gazebo, park benches, a water fountain and a brick sidewalk. There also will be approximately 15 new parking spaces available to residents.

The park would be paid for with donations, council member Gail Owens said.

"It's all donations. It's not cost anyone in this place one red dime," Owens said, "not even the cleanup."

Owens said the Boy Scouts will take care of mowing the park and the 4-H club will handle the flowers and gardening.

Herschberger said a sitting park would increase property values of the homes around it. "I think the town's trying to do something right and I'm here to support them," Herschberger said.

Council members approved moving forward with plans for the sitting park.

In other business, council members:

• Denied for the second time a request to close South Street.

"I'm just not in favor of closing any streets," Wadkins said.

"I agree," council member Donna McCune said. "I'm in favor of a variance, but if we close it, it (may) set a precedent."

Wadkins said last month the council's plan is to help the town grow, not cut off part of the town by closing streets.

• Approved letting the Lake Association use the town's dump truck June 2 for cleanup.

• Approved building permits for the following people: Albert Cook, Robert and Teresa Goble, Dennis Hench and Gary and Janet Wright.

• Town superintendent Phil Shalley told council members he has a list of four trees waiting to be cut down: one at 204 N. High St., one and possible two at 107 S. High St., one at 611 N. Jefferson St. and one at 107 S. Jefferson St.

Shalley also said the State Highway Department will install three new catch basins on the east side of town to help with storm drainage.

• Approved closing Sycamore Street for Silver Lake Days.

• Wadkins said the town now has the deed to property where the old Marathon station sits. Council members approved removing the sewage bill and taxes from the property "so we don't have to pay them," Wadkins said.

• Silver Lake's cleanup day is Saturday.

Council members said last month everthing to be picked up should be out by Friday. Shalley said tires, paint cans or "anything with hazardous materials" will not be picked up. Residents are asked to limit their items to be picked up to a 6-foot-by-6-foot area.

The Silver Lake Town Council members are: president Brenda Wadkins, Gail Owens and Donna McCune. [[In-content Ad]]