The Little House at the Gateway

North College Park residents have  recently formed a committee to study much discussed Hollywood Gateway Park  proposals. Earlier, in August this year, a split City Council voted to authorize the city staff to pursue a grant to fund design and building of the Park at the intersection of Route 1 and Edgewood Road.

In its last week’s meeting, the North College Park Citizens Association (NCPCA) decided to form the committee. Two years ago, in its November 2008 meeting, the NCPCA supported the concept of building the park. Christopher Warren of the City of College Park’s Planning, Community and Economic Development made a presentation on the proposed development at that meeting.

The City would like to raze the house at the intersection, design, and build the park. They would pay for all of this with state of Maryland’s Open Space Funds.

The exact design of the park has divided the north College Park residents. The City is envisioning the park to include amenities such as edible plants and rain gardens to teach residents the importance of environmental friendliness per this Gazette report. Many think the concept of an eco-park is a waste of residents’ tax money, given the issues of size and accessibility to the park.

The newly formed committee currently consists of 3 members: Larry Bleau, Fazlul Kabir and Margaret Wood. Members and residents have been requested to send their ideas on the park to the committee members.