Last Thursday, (May 9) Franklinton Alderman Seth Descant hosted a Forum, "Shaping the Future of Our Park."
The gathering was held at the annex of the Varnado Store Museum and was moderated by T. C. Elliot from CAT Country 98.6 radio. While there were seats appointed for Franklinton Mayor Greg Route and Alderwoman Patrice Crain, neither attended. The only other Alderman in attendance was Darwin Sharp. Also present was Rev. Kevin Golden, an advocate for ensuring a park is constructed for Franklinton's children.
The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Alderman Descant then gave a history of the proposed park from its first mention at the July 31, 2021, Town meeting to the present.
Initially, noted Descant, the park was earmarked for children ages 3 to 12 years old and would be located between the Farmer's Market and Popeyes Chicken on Washington Street. On November 9, 2021, the Board voted to consider a playground at that site. On January 11, 2022, a new site was being sought with this still in progress by the May 20, 2022, meeting. Fast forward to January 10, 2023, when it was announced that the site would be on the Chess Jones Road and the park was in the planning stage.
A member of the audience asked if the Chess Jones Road site was voted on by the Board and was answered "No."
At the February 14, 2023, meeting an equipment purchase was mentioned as there was a June deadline for Capital Outlay projects and money.
A survey was made public at the February 28, 2023, meeting. From this point the playground was in full planning mode and on June 14, 2023, sealed bids for playground equipment (playset) were opened and were taken under consideration. Planet Recess issued a higher bid of $695,000 and on June 27, 2023, the board was to vote to award the bid. This amount exceeded the budgeted amount and Planet Recess was approached to lower the cost wherever possible.
At this point of the forum, Alderman Descant shared that he felt uncomfortable awarding a bid yet asking for the price to be lowered. He contacted the Louisiana Legislative Auditor who said this was inappropriate. It was at this point, according to Mr. Descant, that things began to change and the climate at Town meetings shifted and heated discussions began.
On July 20, 2023, it was revealed that the Mayor had issued a purchase order without the Board having approved the amount that was then $795,000. The board refused to ratify the price and progress came to an abrupt halt. With state funding at stake, there began a time crunch to get the approvals needed to move forward. Although Planet Recess specified a 15 percent penalty for cancelling the order ($150,000), Alderman Descant noted this fee was not charged and the agreement was "torn up." Throughout the Fall of 2023 and Spring 2024, mention of the proposed park at Town meetings created heated exchanges, finger-pointing, and no progress was made on either moving forward with a park or cancelling the plan completely.
A public meeting was set for May 6, 2024; however, this meeting was cancelled and that led to Mr. Descant calling for the Forum. With approximately twenty folks in attendance, questions were asked, and information was shared.
Alderman Descant stated that the primary focus of the proposed park thus far has been purchasing the playground equipment. He feels a vital step has been skipped by not get public input on concerns and comments. Establishing a location for the park should be first addressed and then making a start with walking trails, pavilions, bathrooms, and other recreational facilities instead of spending over $500,000 on a playset. The lack of a global view is a concern to Mr. Descant. He also feels that a project manager would benefit the plan by simply finding out what can be accomplished with the yearly budget and building from there.
According to Alderman Descant, the Phase One of the proposed park includes dirt work, creation of a parking area, installation of utilities, and landscaping which amounts to approximately 2.5 million dollars. This brought up questions of security, including fencing, and future maintenance of the facility as well as insurance, and the replacement of equipment and daily upkeep of grounds. Everyone present, including Aldermen Descant and Sharp, were adamant that new tax money was not an option as, "We are already taxed out."
The remainder of the forum consisted of public input on no support for new taxes to maintain the park in the future, possible locations for the park, and overall community backing for a park in Franklinton.
Rev. Kevin Golden stated that it is vital that there are more discussions like the forum and have more "people at the table" in order to see this project through to its completion. He feels that the past is no longer relevant to seeing the park plan move forward. Rev. Golden feels that community involvement moving forward is going to be the key to making this a success.
He added that the issues of location, cost, funding, and the overall process of development have prevented the progression of the project. There is currently $500,000 budgeted for a park in Franklinton. How this money will be spent and ways to continue to build a park that the children of Franklinton deserve will hinge on a Board more amenable to compromise and willing to reach a consensus as well as citizens becoming involved in the plan.
Janice Branch commented, "This community works together, and everybody thinks of not themselves but the children and this community."
The Franklinton Board of Aldermen and Mayor Greg Route meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Town Hall. Meetings are open to the public with a time for public participation.
