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Park plan pleases all
After much controversy, city and university representatives worked together to form a plan to renovate one of the oldest parks in the state.
Barden Park, located behind the SCSU library on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, was built in 1856, and was part of the original plan for the city layout.
"The library wanted to close the street and evolve it (the park) into the university," said St. Cloud City Council member Mike Landy.
After the library was built, a group was formed to discuss the future of the park. The group consisted of people from the neighborhood, university, and St. Cloud City Council.
The city recently passed plans to renovate the park while still keeping its historical appeal. The new additions will include a play area, paths, benches, flowers and an entertainment shell.
In past summers an orchestra has performed in the park but a new entertainment shell could also house additional outdoor entertainment such as bands or theater from the community and university.
"Barden Park was at one time called Central Park after Central Park in New York," said Richard Kelly, an SCSU graduate student who lives in the neighborhood. "We want to keep as close as it can be to that one square block image it originally had."
Barden Park was once in the center of the neighborhood, but as the university expanded it was pushed to the edge of town.
Plans also include adding a fountain from the original design as well as a new lighting scheme.
Although the plan has been accepted, officials are not sure when it will be instated.
"This is going to take some time because there is no money," Landy said.
One possibility the city has been considering is to make Eighth St. South into a one way street with one lane of pay parking. The parking stalls would be filled by students seeking parking close to campus and money from the meters would go to fund park renovation projects.
"It (the plan) was born in advocacy," Landy said. "The neighborhood was really concerned and now they are all on the same page."
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