Sen. George Goodwin has, once again, expressed concern over flooding at Lionel Richards Park in Smith Bay. This time his concern surrounds the potential for damage to modular schools being stored at the park.
The modular schools are being stored at the ballpark while repairs are being made to Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School and Lockhart Elementary School, according to a spokesperson in Goodwin's office.
Goodwin also expressed dismay that the modular units, installed after Hurricane Marilyn, were taking up space in the summertime at a ballpark "where numerous baseball clinics are being conducted."
Goodwin who chairs the Committee on Housing, Parks and Recreation, wrote in February to Ira Hobson, commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation, calling on him to do something about the "deplorable conditions" at the majority of parks in the territory.
Goodwin singled out Lionel Roberts Ballpark, which he said was being used as a dumping ground and was overrun with debris and grass.
The park's water problem is reportedly two-fold. There is an underground spring that keeps the park wet, and rains have caused even more vegetation to clog the wet areas making it difficult to clear them out .
Goodwin and Hobson went to the park in March to access the problem.
With little change in the flooding problem since that time, the placement of the modular units has created another issue, according to Goodwin.
Currently the ballpark has a drainage problem and on average half of the filed sits under water, Goodwin said Wednesday in a release from his office.
He has called upon Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Hobson to "revisit their decision to place the modular schools at the Lionel Richards Park and find a more suitable location."
Hobson did not return a call placed to his office Wednesday afternoon.
