Letter: Park not what blighted area needs

With my son playing Babe Ruth Baseball at Guy Smith Park, I have had several opportunities to drive past the location of the new Dream Park on Chestnut Street and would encourage others to drive through this blighted section of Greenville to see where your tax dollars are going. I have to agree with our city leaders that something needs to be done about this run-down area but I am not sure a Dream Park is the answer.

Judging from the large number of people just hanging out on front porches and in the area of the existing park, I would say that what they need help with is jobs.

Helping these residents find meaningful job opportunities is the only lasting solution to the economic plight of this neighborhood. I am afraid a new park will do little to raise the property values in the neighborhood, although I am sure the unemployed and homeless will enjoy having a new half-million dollar park to hang out in instead of the old one they currently enjoy.

I hope the budget for the new park includes money for a plaque recognizing our current mayor and City Council members who voted to spend tax dollars on the new park so we can remember them when we ride through the neighborhood in five years to see how much the area has improved around the Dream Park.

DAVID A. SNEED

Greenville

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Letter: Park not what blighted area needs