Resident urges restoration of Woodland and Butler Creek parks, criticizes maintenance

Samuel Rush of 2459 Pine Drive NW used his public-comment time Monday to urge the city to prioritize maintenance at two small neighborhood parks.

"I am inconceivably disappointed that it has been years in the making," Rush said, describing Woodland Park and Butler Creek Park as neglected despite weekly mowing and noting that a Woodland Park entrance sign has been missing for three years after it was stolen. He said Parks & Recreation director Bill McNair acknowledged the stolen sign on March 27 but said the sign had not been replaced.

Rush said some neighbors believe parks were de-prioritized because of reported drug activity, though he said he could not confirm that. He asked the city not to rely solely on online reporting tools and to bring small parks back to the standard residents expect.

The mayor thanked Rush for his remarks and closed the public-comment period; no immediate action was recorded on the record during the work session.