Andrews – The Andrews Board of Aldermen put the brakes on the Valleytown Visionary Guild’s vision for a revitalized Ferebee Park.
Guild members thought they were given permission by the town earlier this year to move forward with their project. However, at the board’s Sept. 12 meeting, they were told to cease work because the board has not yet made a decision about the park’s future.
The board discussed the park’s status at a workshop the week before during which board members were said to be angry that the park plan was proceeding without their permission.
Their guild’s first three goals were, with the town’s help, to grade and gravel the parking lot, restore working restrooms and install new fencing. Of the three goals, fencing has been completed, grading is underway but the restrooms remain undone.
Three things raised red flags as far as the aldermen was concerned – a decision to pave the parking lot rather than leave it as gravel, rising costs for a project they didn’t approve in the first place and a banner the guild placed at the park proclaiming, “Pardon our dust. Awesomeness incoming,” and asking the public for patience as the guild and the town build a better park.
Representing the guild at the Sept. 12 meeting were Michelle Morgan, the president and CEO, and Kathy Dillon, the secretary.
Ferebee Park, located off of Fifth and Locust streets, has remained virtually unchanged for 40 years. This is the guild’s first and, so far, only project.
Phase 1 was expected to be completed by the fall, with the second phase expected to take 2-3 years. Phase 2 included new activity equipment and landscaping and a small picnic gazebo and stage area.
However, there have been no public hearings, and the board of aldermen has made no decisions about any phase of the project. Guild members have been seeking donations and applying for grants to fund the park renovation, which would take place as later goals.
The town already has Andrews Recreation Park, a larger park less than a mile away that includes soccer fields, a walking course, swimming pool and community center. Mayor James Reid said the town hopes to continue improving the primary park and make it a destination.
Making a better Ferebee Park that even includes a small stage would scatter town resources and be a distraction from the town’s bigger goal, Reid said. Perhaps Ferebee Park would be better suited to be a dog park, as there isn’t one in Cherokee County.
Paving the Ferebee Park parking lot, and dealing with runoff and underground springs, make it a money pit that could escalate to $200,000 the town is unprepared to fund and still keep property taxes level, board members said.
Morgan said the guild has not been responsible for funding and construction issues at the park. All of that is part of the first phase, while guild work was going to take place in the second phase after first phase work was completed.
Referring to work so far, “That was not on us,” she said.
Alderman Brandi Smith said she was under the impression that the project would be entirely funded by grants and donations, with no taxpayer dollars at all. No specifics were given at the meeting, but it appears costs have risen to the $40,000 range for the town so far.
Smith said everyone agrees that something needs to be done with the park. Reid added that the project has not gone through the proper channels.
Alderman Jonathan Ellison said he has been approached by constituents concerned about the guild’s plans for the park.
“It didn’t set well with folks, and I didn’t have answers for it,” he said.
Ellison, who is up for re-election in November, said he would hate to lose because the town raised taxes.
Morgan said she had not heard anything negative about the guild’s plan or received any direction to stop work. The guild was working with the town’s recreation director, James Ellis, on construction, and Reid gave them permission to put up the banner.
“We felt we were working with the town,” she said. “No one on the board reached out.”
Morgan said she felt like she was being gaslighted, but the group will continue to raise funds.
“If you are not interested, you need to say that,” she said.
Guild members were invited to appear at the Andrews Board of Aldermen’s work session Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Details: valleytownvg.com.