February 19, 2009
Dear Burlington Parks and Recreation Commission,
My name is Nancy Powers I am the Co-Chair of the Friends of Leddy Park that is currently a group of about 35 active residents who volunteer their time and talents to support Leddy Park.
I am here this evening for two reasons. One to share some of the things Friends of Leddy Park have done for this Park and to ask for your support and continued endorsement of our efforts. The second part of my presentation is to understand your perspective related to some of the historical documents, we have researched, and ask questions related to these findings.
First, as you know from my last presentation October 9, 2008 we have been having regular meetings and have had the support of Lisa Coven (Land Steward). In November we organized a park clean-up day, for which Lisa provided trash bags and tools. We had 13 volunteers on a rainy November Saturday pick up 14 bags of trash and improve the safety of one of the park’s walking trails. In January we arranged for Park Historian Muriel More to make a presentation to the Wards 4 and 7 NPA about the development of Burlington’s Parks and the city’s acquisition of Leddy Park. We have also initiated a “Did You Know…” flyer to share information about the park and as a way for park users to share their observations and “discoveries” of interesting things about Leddy Park.
Going forward,
1) We are working on a proposal to reduce the amount of pet waste and to have consistent receptacles for trash in the park.
2) We will continue to do seasonal clean-ups of the natural areas of the park and trail maintenance.
3) We are working on identifying and the removal of invasive species that will enhance the natural vegetation and wildlife habitat of the park.
4) We look forward to exploring ways that Leddy can be better utilized as an educational resource.
We ask for your support and endorsement to continue our efforts and for the Parks and Recreation Department to continue to enable Lisa Coven to be our liaison and support.
The second reason I have come to you is to discuss some of the foundation documents for Burlington City land (including Leddy Park) that were discovered in our history search.
We’ve reviewed some of the City’s documents that describe the purchase and vision for Leddy Park and Burlington’s future vision of urban city parks. Specifically, we’ve viewed the November 1970, ”Findings of Fact and Order”, History of Burlington Book, “Oct 2000 Open Space Protection Plan”, the “2006 Municipal Development Plan” and the “Urban Forest Master Plan”.
The “2006 Municipal Development Plan”, which incorporates all of the “Open Space Protection Plan”, and by state statute is the principal guide directing land use policy and decision-making, identifies Leddy Park as part of Burlington’s urban forest.
Section II-1 of the Municipal Development Plan-Vision Statement- City Policies goals include:
1) Protect and preserve natural areas and open spaces of local, regional and statewide significance for the benefit of future generations.
2) Maintain and improve the integrity of natural and recreational systems within the City.
3) Guide development into the city center and neighborhood activity centers.
4) Ensure long-term stewardship and appropriate public access to natural areas and open space, including improved opportunities for pedestrian access and interaction throughout the City.
Section of VII -11 of the Municipal Development Plan mandates the protection of urban forests and specifically mentions Leddy Park in the context of urban forests. It says ” Burlington’s urban forest is much more than street trees, and also includes public trees and forests in parks, cemeteries, schools and other public land, and trees on private land in yards, open space and edges of developed areas. Examples include forest communities such as Ethan Allen Park, Leddy Park, Arms Grant Park, Intervale properties, and WVPD.
Appendix 1 of the “Open Space Protection Plan”, is the land inventory, which lists the following characteristics and attributes for Leddy Park:
Zoning: RCO (Recreation, Conservation, Open Space)
Ownership: Public (City Park)
Notes: significant wooded area
Attributes:
- Natural Values: shorelines, wetlands, buffer and potential restoration
Scenic Values: view points
- Recreational & Educational Values: public park, trails, passive rec. value
- Other Urban Open Space Values: access/connectors, parking/vacant lots
As you can see, the characteristics and attributes of Leddy Park identify it as an important natural area.
The glossary of Burlington’s Municipal Plan, defines Passive Recreation as activities such as sitting, walking, and nature watching and general relaxation. In contrast to “active recreation” that involves dedicated and organized recreational activities such as baseball, soccer, tennis, hockey, etc.
The city of Burlington should be commended for formally recognizing the value of open space preservation, for recognizing Leddy Park’s open space characteristics, and for its conservation efforts thus far in the park. We support the vision of keeping Leddy Parks urban forest a vital part of our community for passive recreation. Because of this effort we have created a mission statement for Friends of Leddy Park.
To encourage passive recreation use of the urban forest in Bernard Leddy Park; to help protect its flora, fauna, views, shoreline and the water quality of Lake Champlain; to act as stewards of the Park; and, to support the City of Burlington towards these ends.
Friends of Leddy Park would like to encourage discussion with you of the Municipal Development Plan, Open Space Protection Plan and the Forestry Plan in relation to Leddy Park. We look forward to working with you to preserve the health of the forest, including the under story, in this great park.
Please contact me with any questions,
Nancy Powers
