Where will all the flowers grow - or grass for that matter?

I acquired a copy of the Recommended Plan for siting the YMCA and the added parking and modified playing field space from the city and was surprised that in fact a very large area of the western part of McIntire Park will not support plant life. Included here are two of the color graphics from the May 19, 2008 council agenda packet on the YMCA and McIntire Park Master Plan. The primary impact is the footprint of the YMCA building itself, the addition of about 100-150 additional paved parking spaces, paved access ways and pedestrian paths, and a 240 x 360 foot artificial turf multi-purpose field. Some trees are proposed to be planted in the parking area that will provide some natural plant material and tree cover, but still several acres of now green space will be lost to buildings, pavement, and artificial turf. The artificial surface proposed is approximately two acres just by itself (an acre is 43,560 sq. ft. - a 210 x 210 foot square is approximately one acre).

Of course some of the current space has picnic shelters and pavement, but these spaces will be reconstructed elsewhere in the park and likely remove the equivalent area of green space.


I agree that the Charlottesville area needs quality recreation facilities for area residents (both city and county) and that some green space must be used to provide these facilities. But, we as a community need to be aware of how much loss of green space is currently programmed in and around Charlottesville. When we lose acreage for proposed parkways and connector roads, more acreage for proposed reservoir sites, and countless acres to sprawl development we are talking a significant loss of green space. How can our community meet its goal of expanding our tree cover and becoming a truly sustainable community if we do not balance this loss with some gains.

I proposed at the most recent city council meeting that the city should develop a formula that would require some area of currently paved space be converted to green space for every unit of green space lost to other development. Green space is a finite resource and it seems to be disappearing locally at an alarming rate. When the Court Square Area was re-bricked, part of Sixth Street NE was proposed to be converted to parkland. But due to changing priorities and reprogramming of funds to other uses, this conversion of asphalt space to green space was abandoned and the street reopened to motor vehicle traffic. I think we need to identify some paved areas in greater Charlottesville that could be converted to green space. So, make a list and send it to me and your city councilors or county supervisors. Maybe if enough of us get involved we can make a change for the better.

Pete Seeger's famous song "Where have all the flowers gone?" may not have originally been about loss urban sprawl, but that song has been in my head the entire time I have been composing this posting. Perhaps he anticipated this green space crisis over 50 years ago.

I knew "Diving" into the municipal pool issue would make a splash...

I am not surprised that some of my blog readers have commented on my recent posting about the book - Contested Waters - and our community municipal pool discussion. I suppose that there are other more highly charged issues like dog lease ordinances, but I did attend (and comment at) city council public hearings relating to this issue. Thanks for your comments - and I again suggest that you consider checking-out Contested Waters at our public library if you are interested in municipal pools and how they can impact a community.

Mike Svetz, Charlottesville's Director of Parks, Recreation & Golf, sent me some information he thought essential to clarify some information about Charlottesville Pools. Here is his comment in its entirety. I am delighted to get these details of the plan from Mr. Svetz and hope this clarifies any misleading or incorrect material I may have posted previously.

And, my thanks to Mike Svetz for reading my posting and providing more detail than I could ever provide.

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From Mike Svetz, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Golf - May 22, 2008 via email.

Three major corrections to your blog that must be noted...

1. The current Smith and Crow pools are not "neighborhood" facilities as 78% of users are non-residents. They are in fact "regional community" facilities.

2. The YMCA land lease is for the construction of a 70,000 square foot community recreation center that will have at the very least, all of the following amenities, not just a pool...

fitness center
gymnasiums (including indoor walking-jogging track)
multi-purpose spaces (including meeting space)
locker rooms
child watch space
family aquatics center and competition pool

3 (AND MOST IMPORTANT). The City is consolidating the operations of the current Smith and Crow pools into a city constructed, city owned and city operated 25,000 square foot NEW SMITH AQUATIC AND WELLNESS CENTER on the campus of Buford School. The following is a brief description of what the NEW Smith facility will offer:

a. 19,000 square foot Family Aquatic Center with:

i. SIX (6) 25 yard lap fitness lanes with a water depth ranging from four (4) feet to approximately thirteen (13) feet.

ii. A zero depth entry to provide accessibility for the pool.

iii. A tot play zone with a water depth ranging from zero to 18 inches deep.

iv. The interactive play structure will be incorporated into the Tot Play zone.

v. A vortex area measuring approximate 17 feet in diameter.

vi. An approximately 80 feet long by 5 feet wide current channel.

vii. A pair of underwater benches has been added within the interior island space of the current channel. These benches have the option to be upgraded from a standard bench seating to a hydrotherapy (or spa like) bench by adding aerated nozzles in the bench back.

viii. Excess open water space has been provided to allow for water basketball and/or water volleyball

ix. Indoor, two-turn water slide.

x. Family Changing Locker rooms

xi. Birthday Party/Classroom

xii. Men’s and Women’s Locker rooms

b. Fitness Center

i. 3-5,000 square feet of exercise and fitness classroom space for use by primarily by seniors, therapeutic population and children (ages 10-15)

c. Customer Care/Office Space

We expect to open this facility by fall of 2010...

THANKS IN ADVANCE for making the corrections...