A vision for a lively McIntire

It seems that McIntire Park is in a state of redefinition, trial and error. Plans to remove softball fields and a wading pool were overturned, and the YMCA’s plan has been scaled down.

The ongoing lobbying against the Meadowcreek Parkway, of course, has its own definitions for the park.

I have always had a projection for the park. With all very due respect to the golf course, much of that space could be opened up to Frisbees, kites, picnickers, cross-country skiers, sledders, etc.

It is a great, underused space. One side benefit of the parkway would be that it should provide easy access to that part of the park.

I have revised that projection. It is an entirely different approach. Recently, I was in Waynesboro’s main park. There was activity everywhere: on tennis courts, ball fields and at the outdoor pool.

While my pastoral dream for McIntire has great appeal, the Waynesboro model would serve many more people. Of course, bringing in the bulldozers (redefining the landscape itself) would bring on an understandable controversy.

In this open season, there seems space for this offering.

Jim Barns
Charlottesville