By Lisa Carolin
The Chelsea Parks Commission unanimously voted On March 20 to recommend that an improvement plan for Pierce Park move forward to the Chelsea City Council.
The plan was put together by landscaper Meg Gowen, and highlights include a proposed pathway connecting Pierce Park to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea’s pathway, a new, smaller gazebo, a new play structure, and relocating The Rock.
Chelsea City Manager John Hanifan estimated the improvement plan would cost $250,000 and is hoping to work on a crowdfunding campaign to help fund it. The plan is to get public input on the improvement plan after the City Council approves it.
There was also discussion about relocating the ship in Veterans Park. One possibility discussed is using the concept of the ship to build a playground item for kids at Weber Field.
Hanifan said there’s work underway on the concept of a linear park that would go from the Chelsea Dog Park to where the Border to Border Trail comes into Chelsea.
On March 19, the City Council filled the open seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission by unanimously approving the addition of Christina Wingate and Samuel Angus.
The Parks Commission meets at 9 a.m. the first and third Mondays of the month in either the City Council chambers or if there’s a conflict, the basement of the city offices. The next meeting is April 3 at which time a date will be set for the city’s spring clean-up.
There is No Reason to Relocate the Rock. The
Rock is apart of Chelsea’s History and
Culture. Why is it you get new people in this Town
And all they want to do is Change our History.
Regarding the proposal to move The Rock: To where and why? What is wrong with the current location?
No one said they were removing the rock. The park is being redesigned (adding several structures) and the rock is being “relocated.” That doesn’t say anything about removing it from the park (though guess it’s a matter of interpretation and I could be interpreting it incorrectly). Remember the rock was not original to Pierce Park and was moved from the original Chelsea School between Park and Middle St. Since the P&R Master Plan (on the city website) says that was distinguishes Pierce Park is The Rock, I don’t think the P&R Commission would be changing that. It will be great to see improvements to the park. City residents will have input to these ideas.
When they say, relocating the ship, what does that mean? Because that also is part of our history. If it needs to be fixed, I know many people who would be willing to pitch in and help or lead the project. I am hoping to attend the next meeting to gather information.
I have sent an email to a member of the parks commission asking for additional information for everyone.
I agree that the rock should stay where it is. It has been there the 24 years we have been here and has been a beacon for many people to voice their thoughts, best wishes, welcome homes, Rip’s, announcements of events, etc. in a way that is lost in today’s electronic world. Where else can people bring others together on a whenever the spirit moves you occasion? If you haven’t painted the rock then you should. Gather some friends, find some paint and paint brushes and have the experience before anyone decides to move it. It is like giving birth to an idea and letting the world know about it.. silently.
IF the Rock is moved, it will be relocated in a more visible spot in Pierce Park, roughly 100 feet to the south but still very visible on Main Street.
It will NOT be moved to a different location off site.