Residents near planned park voice objections

Despite opposition from residents of the nearby Cottonwood Mobile Home Park, city supervisors opted Thursday to move ahead with plans to create the Ronald D. Wilson Memorial Park.

Residents presented a petition with 40 signatures protesting the park, which will be constructed next to their homes.

"We are senior adults. We are concerned about the night," said Rheba Montrose, one of the residents who came to the meeting. "Our concern is that a criminal element might be in there after dark."

The new park will be on a five-acres north of the mobile homes, and would be the first large city park in the area.

Ronald D. Wilson Memorial Park will include a gazebo, tables and benches, playground and a landscaping mix of traditional turf areas normally seen in parks with native plants. Specific details still need to be worked out.

The water system hookups necessary to make the park more affordable for the city are now in the ground. Discussion about building the park has been going on for a decade.

City staff plans to meet with the residents soon to hear their concerns, said Linda Ritter, city manager.

Design decisions can be made to make it harder for people to commit crimes and not be seen, according to city staff.

The Parks and Recreation Department is scheduled to complete work on it by late 2007 or early 2008. The budget to build the park is $600,000, which is coming from residential construction taxes.

In other business, the supervisors:

• Approved the final subdivision map for Eagle Valley Commerce Center, a five-acre site planned for the 3600 block of Arrowhead Drive. Its 15 lots will be for industrial uses, and for sale to the occupants.

• Accepted grants for $191,000 for tobacco education and $77,000 for pandemic influenza preparedness.

• Recognized P.J. Degross for her efforts through Web of Support, a soldier adoption program she started that helps military personnel serving overseas.

• Moved ahead with a state legislative wish list that asks for such things state money for the Virginia & Truckee Railway and long-term care cost relief.

• Named three people to the Convention and Visitors Bureau: longtime Carson City developers Tom Metcalf and Dwight Millard were re-appointed; Stephen Lincoln, who works in real estate sales, was appointed.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.