Suggestions for renovating Nelson Park
City Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Department met Tuesday night in a special meeting to discuss the fate of Nelson Park.
Mayor Mike Pittsley opened the meeting by saying he wanted to hear the suggestions of the Parks and Recreation board members.
Most agreed that the deer, the only remaining animals at the Nelson Park “zoo,” are instrumental to the decision of the park’s future.
Robert Frost, Parks and Recreation board member, said the board did not ask for feedback about the deer when it was collecting input about whether to replace Smokey the bear that died Nov. 16, 2001.
“I have a feeling that the people who spoke out against replacing the bear would be against the deer,” said Commissioner Ron Roby.
Pittsley said many people who spoke out against the bear were concerned about the habitat the animals were living in, and that there may be a way to improve the deer’s habitat, to keep the “zoo” at Nelson Park.
Commissioner Jon Joslin, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, said his brother came back to Mount Pleasant to visit and was very upset to see the bear and raccoons were gone from the park.
“Maybe you need to make (the habitat) better, but I don’t want to see it go,” Joslin said.
Among the ideas presented to the City Commission were:
• A community fountain
• A garden with walkways and bird feeders
• An amphitheater
• An instructional path, with stops along to way for interactive tutorials about the wildlife and nature of the area
• An extension of the planned Downtown-area Bronze Art project, possibly with some modifications so children can climb on the sculptures
Pittsley said it was an option to not do anything to the park, and leave it as a “quiet, passive nature area.”
Some voiced concerns that an amphitheater would ruin the quiet atmosphere of Nelson Park.
Roby said it would not be a problem if the city restricted access to the stage, and only allowed plays and certain types of music to be performed there.
Donna Hiner, Parks and Recreation board member, said there may be lawsuits if the city discriminated against certain types of music.
Commissioners also proposed a memorial to Smokey, such as a plaque.
No decisions or voting occurred at the meeting.
