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Letters to the Editor
Updated: August 27, 2012 6:04AM
Consider all options
I urge Park Board President Scott Meyers to not frame the pending decision on Rosewood Beach improvements and the controversial Interpretative Center as an all-or-nothing proposition.
Residents have gone many years without basic amenities at their swim beach. Granting needed facilities only if the IC is accepted will create many losers and residual bad feeling between the community and elected officials. Since the swim amenities have been designed completely separate from the IC, compromise is possible.
The official Ravinia Neighbors Association position (everything but the Interpretive Center) has long encompassed compromise and consensus. A great many have expressed feeling overextended with facilities that taxpayers struggle to maintain. Many enjoy the beach in its present natural state; yet it is easy to understand how upgrades could make the beach more enjoyable for many. It is accepted that a broad range of end users’ needs be met. As such, the RNA has soundly endorsed all improvements that enhance Highland Park’s only swimming beach and applaud everything the Park District has proposed, with the exception of the large, four- season IC and its additional programming.
I believe most would agree it is desirable to have an intact community at project’s end. It should be possible to vote on the IC separately. When the Army Corps of Engineer funding comes through and if the public truly wants the air conditioned building and additional programming, the IC can be easily resurrected and efforts made to solve its current problems. I hope this is the route the Park District will choose.
Amy Lohmolder
Board Member
Ravinia Neighbors
Association
