The Dunwoody City Council agreed to postpone approving a city parks master plan at its May 23 meeting, citing a need to smooth out several details.
The decision followed public comments and lengthy discussion of 13 questions about the parks plan prepared by City Manager Warren Hutmacher.
“We’re close, but we need to punt that ball once more,” said Mayor Ken Wright.
Among the topics discussed by the council was whether Brook Run Park should be designated as a passive park.
The council disagreed on defining the uses of the park.
“I’m scared it will be used to play politics at a later date,” said Councilman Doug Thompson.
Council members went back and forth on what defines a passive park.
Councilwoman Adrian Bonser defined a passive park as a facility that is not used for organized sporting events.
“Piedmont Park is considered a passive park,” she said. “That doesn’t mean you can’t move and be active, that all you can do is sit and eat a picnic.”
Some council members felt that defining Brook Run as a passive park would be too limiting.
“Brook Run is supposed to be a community park,” Councilman John Heneghan said. “I’m not sure we shouldn’t have some kids’ soccer leagues. We’re locking ourselves out of opportunities for recreation.”
Councilman Danny Ross said it’s important to define what type of park Brook Run should be for future generations.
“What I don’t want is for this thing to morph into something where because we’ve got green space out there … we transform it into Murphey Candler Park. That’s not what it was meant to be. This is not a rec center, folks,” Ross said.
Councilman Denis Shortal recommended breaking the park down into a mix of active and passive uses.
“Let’s put a percentage on it so we’ve got general guidelines,” he said.