West 11th Street Park is truly the 'People's Park'

As many people are aware, there has been a campaign in progress to save a 20 acre parcel of land bordering the Timbergrove Manor subdivision from development. The land, owned by HISD, has been used for many years by area residents as a park, and is known as the West 11th Street Park. Benches, a nature trail, and a baseball backstop are signs that residents have become accustomed to using the land for much needed recreational space. A group of volunteers called Friends of the Park was formed to help preserve the park. Then HISD, having no other plans for the land, decided to sell it to a developer.

The residents of the neighborhood launched a true grass roots effort and got politicians in city government to listen to their pleas to buy the land from HISD. But HISD had a 10 million dollar bird in hand, and was eager to sell to a developer who apparently was salivating at the possibility of getting such choice land for condos or townhomes. The residents were able to get enough support on City Council to negotiate a deal with HISD to purchase the land and retain the park. By then the school district, realizing there was widespread local opposition to the sale, agreed to sell the land to the City for $9 million. But there was a catch. The City had to purchase the land by Jan.5, 2007, or the deal was off. Obviously, the Mayor and City Council don't mind spending money, as evidenced by any City Council agenda. But $9 million was just too much to take out of the till for a park. So the City agreed to kick in $4 million and the residents and the Parks Board would have to raise the other $5 million themselves, and in a very short time.

Timbergrove Manor residents and others formed

committees, organized, went door-to-door, made signs, held fundraisers, solicited donors, and as the deadline approached still found themselves $3.3 million short. Due to unfortunate timing, their fundraising efforts had to compete with the raising of millions from private sources to help Katrina victims. In a last minute maneuver the Parks Board, with City Council approval, made a deal with a bank to borrow the $3.3 million, with 5 acres of the land as collateral. With the money in hand the City will be purchasing the 20 acres from HISD for a park. But there is another catch. The loan, now $3.75 million, must be paid off in a few months or the 5 acres will be sold by the Parks Board to a developer. The Parks Board says it cannot afford to pay the interest on the loan. So residents are back to fundraising and seeking donations again to save the park from being a backyard to townhomes.

One has to wonder why citizens have to go through such an ordeal just to have a park in their neighborhood. City politicians have proclaimed the need for park space for years in Houston. The near northwest area has lost many acres of green space to development just within the last few years. When the opportunity arises for a park the City claims it is unprepared to buy land not in the Park Master Plan. HISD says by law they must sell the property for the benefit of the taxpayers and cannot donate any land.

The City has left local residents to fend for themselves to find $3.75 million. According to the City it cannot spend any more money on the park. It has other bills to pay. So do the taxpayers, but they have to pay taxes regardless. In fact, property taxes are up dramatically in Timbergrove Manor and nearby neighborhoods. The citizens deserve the park. In a sense, if the city allows the park to be ruined by partial development, it will have wasted $4 million.

Fundraising must continue, but the City and politicians have an obligation to spend tax dollars where the taxpayers want them spent. And where are the politicians? To their credit, the Mayor and some Council Members have generally been supportive of the park. Council Member Toni Lawrence, whose district includes Timbergrove, has been actively involved in fundraising efforts. Where are our State politicians on this issue? Neither Sen. John Whitmire nor Rep. Farrar has proposed a plan for state grants or aid that we know of. Why has there been no support from District 18 Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee? Perhaps the neighborhood is not a significant voting block for politicians. But residents have worked diligently to save the West 11th Street Park as "the people's park," and the politicians need to come up with the people's money to do it.

(Near Northwest Banner, February 5, 2007)