Park's future sought

Residents discuss ideas, noise an issue

By Eunice Sigler | [email protected]

A museum, a swimming pool, a mini-golf course.

Those are some of the things Pinecrest residents said “Yes” to at an informal citizens’ meeting Monday night aimed at figuring out what should be done with Parrot Jungle.

PINECREST

More than 40 people showed up at Pinecrest Park to discuss what activities would be acceptable at the site once the Village of Pinecrest buys it at the end of this year.

The meeting, organized by resident Karen Razook, was an offshoot of the Dec. 11 Pinecrest Village Council meeting, where some who live by the 22-acre park at Southwest 110th Street and Red Road voiced strong objections to having events there that could create noise.

Most at Monday’s meeting, even those who didn’t live near the park, kept the noise issue in mind and expressed a desire to compromise with Parrot Jungle neighbors.

“I think if we can put aside the offense and the defense and work together as a community, that certainly feels good to me,” resident Sima Miska said.

But most of those attending also said they wanted to see more out of Parrot Jungle than just a passive park — what the park’s neighbors have been proposing for years.

“If nothing can take place there, then no one will go there,” said Maria Elena Levrant. “We have a gorgeous jewel sitting in the middle of our community. We have to start thinking of how we’re going to use it to benefit everyone.”

Among the uses put on a list to be submitted to officials at Tuesday night’s Village Council meeting: a library, a coffee shop, a jogging trail, classroom space for community education.

The residents also talked about having an “aquatic center” there, but that idea was discarded because some felt it implied having a water theme park.

“It’s my backyard,” said Barbara Toland, who lives next to Parrot Jungle. “I’m opposed to an aquatic center in my backyard.”

Those who live next to the park submitted a list of acceptable uses that most at the meeting seemed to agree with: a children’s playground with tot lots and a petting zoo, an Internet library, a running trail with a Vita course, meeting space for community groups such as the Boy and Girl Scouts.

The petting zoo idea got nixed quickly, though, as did an idea for a dog park.

The group ended up putting nothing on a “No” list, saying Miami-Dade County laws that would govern the park’s use are already strict.

They also agreed to ask area teenagers to form a committee and come up with their own ideas for the park.

Having cultural events there also got tossed about.

“For all us nonathletes, my vision would be to put a cultural center there and showcase local talent,” James Gersing said, but some expressed concern about the idea of amplified music.

Overall, the idea that appeared to be the biggest hit was the swimming pool.

Although some conceded a pool might carry a large liability factor for the village, they felt its benefits outweighed the risks.

“There’s more to a community pool than just kids,” Bob Ross said. “It’s a meeting place for people. There really isn’t anywhere to go in the community.”

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Continuation headline: New Pinecrest park ideas discussed

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