PROPOSED DOWNZOING OF BLACK MEADOW RIDGE IS NOT AN OPTION

       Downzoning is not an option as an intermediate or final step towards the preservastion of Black Meadow RIdge. The Friends of West Point Park do not feel comfortable with nor do we support working concurrently for both a purchase and a downzoning.

       Instead, the Friends of West Point Park believe that we can best facilitate the inclusion of Black Meadow Ridge into the Eno River parklands by negotiating in good faith with the owner and the developer for a clean purchase of the property at fair market value.


PROPOSED E.E. CENTER IS TOO LARGE FOR WEST POINT NATURAL AREA

       It is our position that the multi-million dollar, six to seven thousand square foot environmental education center proposed by the Durham City Parks and Recreation Department for an interior location on the north bank of West Point on the Eno Park is too large and invasive for this natural area.  While we commend the Parks and Recreation Department for wanting to be more involved in environmental education, this expanded proposal is not what the Friends of West Point Park originally supported at the conceptual meetings held with the Durham Parks and Recreation department in 2004/5. 

       Besides West Point Park, there are a number of other locations that have been put forward as candidates for an environmental education center, including properties along Sandy and New Hope Creeks, or at Leigh Farm and Central Parks.  Another proposal suggests that decentralization might serve our community best, with smaller centers at several sites stretching across the city.