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Stafford parks measure approved by voters
Parks bond passesDate published: 11/4/2009 BY AARON RICHARDSON Voters in Stafford yesterday approved borrowing $29 million to improve parks in the county. With all of the votes counted, the parks measure passed with 54 percent. The money will be used to build athletic facilities, including a $6.7 million baseball complex at Chichester Park. The bond will also fund development of the Belmont to Ferry Farm Trail, the Dominion Virginia Power Easement Trail and the Cannon Ridge Trail. The referendum allocated $6 million to expand the number of rectangular fields in parks across the county. Virginia American Youth Football Alliance President Travis Scott said he was happy to see the referendum pass. "This is great news. Obviously, the county is in need of more fields, so hopefully sports teams won't have to fight over fields anymore." According to Barry Hill, general manager of the Stafford Area Soccer Association, finding space to practice in Stafford has gotten very difficult. "Right now, it's very tight," he said. "Everyone's looking for green space to use."
Area swim teams have been in a similar predicament, with only one area pool open year-round. "The swim teams have been really tightly scheduled at our only year-round pool at Woodlands," said George Washington District Supervisor Harry Crisp. At the polls, several Stafford residents said they were in favor of the referendum. "I was glad to see on the ballot an opportunity to see our parks improve," said James Boyles, 54 of South Stafford. Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer of the Garrisonville District said he was glad to see Stafford County take action. "We have a problem and this is the solution, and the people of Stafford said 'Go for it,'"
Aaron Richardson:
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 11/4/2009
The ecomomy is just an excuse
(posted by
mz
, Nov. 6, 2009 10:26 am)
for those clowns who don't like to pay taxes for anything unless it directly benefits them. Unemployment has gone from 4% to 7% in Stafford and thats sad for those out of work. Maybe the County can offer them some tax relief. But we are not in the second Great Depression. There are no bread lines and I still see cars pouring into Central Park on the weekends. So go sit in your basements and listen to Rush will our kids and grand kids growup having some fun in the parks, playfields and pools.
I'm not understanding why the folks who want the
(posted by
larryg
, Nov. 4, 2009 5:01 pm)
ball fields can't pay for them. If everyone that wants a
ballfield is will to pay a few bucks rent - then you could
have as many as you want/need - right?
Why do folks who don't use them have to pay for them?
And people here are missing the point. The cost of the ball
fields themselves is cheap compared to the operation and
maintenance costs that will require more county
employees.
When the costs of the parks was estimated, did they also
provide the annual op/maint costs?
A good idea, but at a bad time...
(posted by
brandonj
, Nov. 4, 2009 4:04 pm)
Given the current state of the economy and the budget woes of the county, it does not seem appropriate to spend $29 million on parks. $29 million for parks, $50 million or more to tear down and rebuild perfectly good elementary school buildings, and so on... But the public has spoken on the matter-I hope all enjoy paying those higher taxes.
Poor Planning
(posted by
sarguy
, Nov. 4, 2009 1:32 pm)
What does sub-dividing land have to do with this? I blame our bonehead county officials; who, knowing it was coming (look north), should have put in place “rules to develop”. For example, put up the money for a park prior to building your housing development. Get developers to share in the cost. During the housing boom, this was certainly feasible. No housing market? No developing. Look around Stafford, how many clear-cut areas exist now where there has been no further development? It’s called poor planni
Rural is the opposite of traffic
(posted by
Lespaul
, Nov. 4, 2009 12:34 pm)
But you can bet your butt you will be sitting in it. How else you going to get to the parks? We have no money for roads. And your friend is the minority from what I've seen, but you are right, we just can't expect to have farms forever. It's the virginia way, build houses, build parks, and nevermind you can't get there cause the roads are all screwed up and over crowed.
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