The project was funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the questions two council members and one of the park’s neighbors had was what can be done to improve the aesthetics of the renovated park.

Kayne Van Stell, the project manager for Michael Baker Engineering, told the group at the park this morning any trimming would have to be carefully done. Cutting back too much, he said, would jeopardize the controls put in to minimize erosion.

Van Stell told the delegation, which included the city manager, public works director and a parks and recreation representative, “Getting vegetation established is critical ... We don’t want an urban jungle. We want to establish natural vegetation.”

Van Stell said Baker Engineering was working from the agreement approved by city council.

Council member Ernest Bobbitt asked Van Stell what the park would like in five years without maintenance.

“If you don’t do anything in five years it will look like a jungle,” Van Stell replied.

The issue of children being allowed to catch tadpoles and crayfish was also discussed. Van Stell said, “I would rather have them playing here now than before.”

Not only was the project awarded Clean Water funds to control erosion at the park, Van Stell said, “It was causing sedimentation problems in the Roanoke River. We know how vital the Roanoke River is. It will enhance water quality.”

While there were things that probably could have been done to please more people, Van Stell said, “In our eyes we view this as a success.”

Myra Keeter, who lives across the street from the park, asked why the fence couldn’t be put in closer to the stream. The fence sets the riparian right of way, Van Stell told her.

Council member Suetta Scarbrough, who helped arrange the meeting at the park because of concerns from her constituents, said she understood the matter better. “I’m more at ease with this. I still don’t think it looks good but I understand it better.”