Avondale Estates’ commission approved changing the city ordinance that established language posted on the rules markers at Lake Avondale and Willis Park. The next step is actually rewriting that language, which commissioners hope to complete during a work session 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, Avondale Estates City Hall, 21 N. Avondale Plaza.
The commission is specifically focusing on phrasing stating the parks are “for exclusive use of the residents” and that “Violators may be subject to prosecution.”
Although Commissioner Adela Yelton recently said, “I’ve gotten 10 times more emails [favoring the language change],” that sentiment hasn’t been prevalent during work sessions and meetings the last few months.
During a Dec. 7 work session several residents spoke in opposition for nearly a half hour.
“Once we open up that lake,” one resident said, “we’ll have fishing derbies and all sorts of things.”
Said another: “Without the signage it’s a beacon to become a public park, and then you get happy meal wrappers, used condoms and drug paraphernalia.”
Mayor Jonathan Elmore expects a large crowd and similar comments at Monday’s meeting, but nevertheless wants the phrasing changed as soon as possible.
“A lot of people have been here a long time,” he said. “They’re proud of the city and that’s pretty cool. But for some there’s a sense of entitlement, and they just don’t see that language as archaic and uninviting.”
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