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As of January 3, 2023, the Lowell City Council has met and is now considering what to do with the approximately 4 or so undesignated acres surrounded by Lowell Scout Park. We certainly hope that they will be paying attention to what their citizens want. To some, this may seem like a perplexing question that needs to be unwound or dissected to get a clear answer, but in truth, the clear answer already exists, and has so for over 17 years.
In November of 2006, 2 Lowell City Council members squared off in a hotly contested election which had quickly evolved into a referendum over the future of the 27.4 acre parcel of land at the end of North Washington we now refer to as Lowell Scout Park. The people turned out in large numbers and handily defeated the two incumbents who refused to protect this area. The newly elected council members kept their promise, and under the leadership of newly elected City Council Member Sharon Ellison, Scout Park became a reality in 2007. Although the City Council intended to declare the entire 27.4 acre parcel as parkland, they were technically unable to do so because of the rental house located on the property. As a result, approximately 4 acres of park road frontage were reluctantly excluded from the newly formed Scout Park.
With the removal of the rental house at 990 North Washington now imminent, the City Council needs to fulfill the will of its citizens, and make Scout Park whole, as was intended in 2007. Make no mistake, the will of the people has not changed since 2007. We witness on a daily basis the use of Scout Park, and that use has grown considerably since that time. Let not the passage of time be used as an excuse to compromise or change the use of what the citizens clearly wanted in 2007, and today. To allow development on these (currently unprotected) 4 acres of park road frontage would spoil the unique character of Scout Park as we have known it for decades, and make about as much sense as building homes along the road frontage of Fallasburg Park. We commend Council Member Leah Groves for her wisdom and stated commitment to not allow development in this 4 acre area. What will the other 4 uncommitted council members vote for? We urge the Lowell City Council Members to recognize and complete without delay, what is and needs to remain the most unspoiled, unique natural area in the City’s Park Inventory.
For those interested in following ongoing preservation efforts affecting Lowell Scout Park, please visit the Lowell Scout Park Association facebook page, and follow the page for updates. Your support is appreciated!
Bill Schreur
Submitted on behalf of the Lowell Scout Park Association
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