Presentation by Flat Rock park exploratory committee

Two news stories today on the presentation yesterday by the village park exploratory committee, one from the Times-News and one from the Hendersonville Lightning. First, the Times-News:

Informational sessions on the proposed municipal park at Highland Lake Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon drew about 28 Flat Rock residents, many of them representing homeowners associations.

A PowerPoint demonstration and concept drawing detailing the planned park and its amenities were shared at the site's former golf shop.

“What we have here is an honest representation based on what we know right now,” said retired planner and architect Doug Johnson of the concept drawing.

Potential costs, including ongoing maintenance and funding, were detailed for guests. Around 60 residents were invited, including two representatives from each of the 23 homeowners associations in the village and the executive board of directors of the Flat Rock Historical Society....

Those attending Wednesday's sessions were encouraged by committee members to share what they learned with neighbors, to support village officials in their decision and express support in a letter to the committee....

Read it all, and now the Hendersonville Lightning:

Representatives of Flat Rock homeowners associations and other organizations heard about plans for a proposed Highland Lake Park and took back information to their boards for possible endorsements.

The Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee presented the plan on a rainy Wednesday to several dozen residents at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. A walking tour was part of the committee's invitation but the rain prevented that. After a PowerPoint presentation detailing the higher priorities for park development and the panel's work so far, committee members appealed to the association leaders for an endorsement.

"Public support is very important to this grant," committee member Albert Gooch told the residents. "These grants are very competitive. We are asking you as representatives of the organizations in Flat Rock to meet with your board of directors and write a letter of support that the Village Council buys the park."

Gooch said the town residents might well ask why the committee is seeking the grant if the Village Council had not yet committed to the park.

"We're writing the grant just in case," he said, "because if we miss that Jan. 31 deadline it's Jan. 31, 2014, before we can get that done. If the Village Council decides not to buy it we can always say we didn't mean it."

The committee is soliciting endorsement letters for a state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant application of close to $500,000....

Read it all.