Baltimore County just picked up a $352,624 annual expense to operate this park PLUS an additional $122,630 to buy 2 trucks and a mower for the park. QUESTION: does the $215,000 grant cover the entire expense of the project? Since the majority of the park's users are city residents, is the city contributing to any of the expense? Please note, the County picked up the management of the park for the sole purpose to include it in its "open space" quota. The principle behind open space is for benefit of the County citizens and this park is and has been oriented toward northern city residents. $320,000 per year could pay for a lot of necessary repairs and improvements in the county before a city park.

JD I can believe that there is no sincere intent to follow through yet at the same time I am concerned that money and resources have been wasted designing the described area. If we are to make a change as a community and begin to act more responsibly, allowing this type of waste and "grandstanding" needs to be curbed as well. A leader would say to the community, I am not wasting my time and your money designing a park until I know it can be paid for.

Hey losers, it's a park. It's a good thing. Stop being so cynical about EVERYTHING and let people enjoy themselves. For once, how about looking at the benefits of the county improving the park.

Hey Johnny Towson, to compare Medow Wood and Robert E. Lee is ridiculous. The two parks are totally different.

My question(s) remain: Is the $215,000 the entire expense or are County Tax Dollars going to be required to fund the project? Is the city going to contribute to any of the expense if extra funding is required? When we have the answers it can be determined if this is the appropriate use of our debt capacity at this time. I am suspicious that this more "feel-good" politics at the detriment of fiscal responsibility. We the people can not always have what we want, when we want it, especially when we cannot afford it. State and County "credit cards" are maxed. Services and infrastructure are in ill-repair. If we residents that use the park, really want the improvements, we should be prepared to pay for it by unique tax, fees or directly funding it. Otherwise, we at least need to consider the opportunity costs and their consequences.

The park's Council has put forth a tremendous effort since its formation and its stewardship is to be commended. I am an advocate for their work and continued leadership. My comments have to do with a sincere request to know the whole story and to have all the facts reported, not just the that which will be easily supported. The tough decisions are what we the community, and its leaders, shy away from. Lets put it ALL on the table and go after what we want. But to make informed decisions, we must inform ourselves. What is the total cost of the proposed play area? How are the shortages going to be funded? How are we paying for the design or were the designs prepared as effort in-kind? Let's do our best to execute the best project we can as affordably as we can. The balance between design, cost and end result is what we should strive for.

And Johnny Towson. Why is that? I wonder.....

This is a splendid proposal for revitalizing Robert E. Lee Park.

Can we add a rider to the bond legislation changing the name of the park? Why are we honoring Lee by naming a public park after him?

It is a wonderful proposal and a terrific idea. Now lets work together to figure out how to pay for it equitably and openly. What is the estimated cost to design and build the park? Who is picking up the tab? And if we are using debt, is it the best use of debt? Bruce, if you pay for the discussed improvements to the park, I am sure they will consider naming at the play area after you.