Park road position is pondered

Dennis Stroer does not like the idea of a road separating homes in Auburn Hills from a proposed neighborhood park.

“I don’t like how the road goes through homes,” Stroer said.

The approximately 30 people at Tuesday night’s meeting, hosted by the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, agreed with Stroer.

“I am concerned about the kids crossing the street from the neighborhood to the park,” said resident Bill Schelp.

In a unanimous informal vote, all of the residents present preferred the east route of the Auburn Hills Neighborhood Park plan, in which Derby Ridge Drive parallels the park and Harvester Road runs along its northern boundary.

Officials from the Parks and Recreation staff hosted the public meeting on two options of the proposed master plan for the park.

Auburn Hills residents are concerned with the west option, in which Derby Ridge Drive separates the neighborhood from the proposed park.

Residents said they prefer the east route because it protects the neighborhood’s property values and connects it with the park.

Senior Parks Planner Toney Lowery said a formal decision of where to place the road has not been made.

“We could go back and modify the plan,” Lowery said. “I don’t foresee a problem where the road runs.”

Both plans for the 13.12-acre neighborhood park include a trail, a sidewalk, a wooded area, a storm water basin, a playground, a shelter and a basketball court.

Lowery said if the Columbia City Council approves the plan by late August, construction may begin as early as this fall.

Maps of the plan are available at the Parks and Recreation website.