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Tiger Town should stay in Howland

DEAR EDITOR:

Howland Township Park Board has presented Howland Township with a comprehensive plan for the future of Howland’s three parks which the residents of Howland should support.

A need exists for the residents and visitors to have modern, age-friendly locations for recreation. A new playground at the east end of Howland Township Park would be advantageous, more parking is drastically needed and a family center has long been a community need. The plans also call for modernization of Morgandale Park and Bolindale-DeForest Park. They seem to be well-thought-out and designed.

I do, however, differ in several ways on the plan regarding what to do with existing facilities at the west end of the Howland Township Park: two well-maintained and community-entity developed athletic fields, Segal Field for high school baseball and Lewis Field for high school softball. A community-funded, planned and constructed playground called “Tiger Town” has existed for over 20 years on what the Army Corps of Engineers considers a flood plain at the west end without once experiencing a flood. To remove one or any of these west end facilities is unnecessary to accomplish the comprehensive plan for future renovations that park board commissioners have approved. Tiger Town, which is now closed due to past park board’s mishandling of maintenance duties, should be repaired and reopened and not destroyed at the end of this month.

The floor in one tower of the nine can be replaced. The roof in one tower can be repaired, and the one damaged and unsafe sliding board must be removed. The missing or cracked board slats can be replaced with a little effort. The whole facility requires painting; however, this cosmetic item can be dispensed with for now to allow Tiger Town to reopen and remain a viable entity for years, especially for this summer even with a new east end playground announced as coming in June. Tiger Town was created by hundreds of Howland families who planned, designed, funded and built it in five days. Howland residents should support the plan for all three parks, including a new playground for Howland Township Park’s east end — but not at the expense of Tiger Town.

Also, a naming contest for the new east end playground should be undertaken as was done for Tiger Town. Tiger Town should keep its name and remain with repairs and not be thrown out “with the bath water” when the new east end playground opens.

WARNER TAICLET

Howland

Founding park commissioner

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