Chelsea State Bank ad

Chelsea residents don’t want ‘The Rock’ moved as part of Pierce Park upgrade

File photo by Alan Scafuri. The Rock, Chelsea’s popular message board, in Pierce Park.

By Lisa Carolin

Feedback from the public was the topic of the June 5 Chelsea Parks Committee meeting following a May 16 public input session at Pierce Park.

Between comment cards that were filled out at the public input session and emails that came in, the overwhelming sentiment is, “Don’t move ‘The Rock’.”

City Manager John Hanifan said that he received 30 comment cards from people who attended the public input session, and 27 were about the rock and keeping it where it is.

“It’s (a) pretty overwhelming (response) that folks want the rock to stay where it is,” said Hanifan. “We probably should heed that advice and guidance from the public and leave the rock where it is.”

During public comment, former Chelsea school district teacher Lenny Solomon spoke in defense of keeping the rock where it is.

“The rock represents the history of the community,” said Solomon. “It represents Chelsea, not just old Chelsea, but new Chelsea. That rock has about 10 yards of paint on it. We’re dealing with what I would call a historical monument. When I talk to people I had as students who haven’t been to Chelsea in a while, they ask if the rock is still there. It represents the heart and soul of the community.”

Paul Johnson spoke for his friend Andy McKinley, who believes the rock should stay put.

“It’s a point of pride for the community and should remain on the spot it is on,” said McKinley. “Writing on it is a rite of passage for many youth.”

Lyndon Township resident Shauna Mote, who is wheelchair bound, told the committee, “I came to the open house at the park last month but was disappointed because I couldn’t get to any of the stations where things were set up and realized how inaccessible things at the park are to me. Gallup Park in Ann Arbor has done a lot to make things accessible. Maybe Pierce Park could adopt a few of those ideas.”

Chelsea Mayor Melissa Johnson, who is a member of the Parks Committee, received a number of emails from people commenting on the future of Pierce Park.

“We had two directions from the plan for the park – make it more welcoming and accessible, and enhance its natural beauty,” said Johnson. “We received positive feedback about a unique play structure and about more accessibility. Consistently, the feedback has been to leave the rock where it is.”

The Parks Committee will meet next on June 19 at 9 a.m. either in City Council Chambers or in the basement of city offices. Hanifan said the agenda will include meeting with architect Meg Gowen to discuss the proposed changes for Pierce Park.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More News

April 8: What’s on the Chelsea Board of Education Work Session Agenda

April 8, 2024

‘The Antichrist Cometh’ is Action-Packed Entertainment at Purple Rose Theatre

April 7, 2024

April 13: Chelsea Area Garden Club Fundraiser at Chelsea Expo

April 7, 2024

April 14: Messy Church at Chelsea First UMC

April 7, 2024

Chelsea 2024 Marriage Summit at Main Street Church

April 7, 2024

No City of Chelsea Meetings This Week

April 7, 2024

Chelsea Kiwanis Club Hears about SRSLY

April 6, 2024

April 13: Spring Break Craft/Vendor Show at Chelsea Fairgrounds

April 6, 2024

April 8: Daytime Road Closure on Waterloo Road

April 6, 2024

Reminder: Collage Concert April 6 at Chelsea High School

April 6, 2024

Department of Veterans Affairs Enrolls More Than 7,000 Michigan Veterans

April 6, 2024

This Week’s Washtenaw County Road Commission Projects

April 6, 2024

April 13-14: Chelsea High School Theatre Guild Presents ‘The House of Atreus’

April 5, 2024

April 12-13: Foam Recycling behind Stivers Restaurant

April 5, 2024

Let’s Get Gardening in April, Part 2

April 5, 2024

Check Out These City Board and Commission Openings

April 5, 2024

State AG Reissues Information about Debt Relief Scams

April 5, 2024

April 9: ‘Tuesdays in the Engine’ at Chelsea District Library

April 5, 2024

April 13, 27: Help With State Park Stewardship

April 5, 2024

Chelsea Parks Commission Hears Update on Main Street Park Project

April 4, 2024

Get Your Tickets for Ballet Chelsea’s Cinderella

April 4, 2024