McCormick Village Park just the start for this city

Thank you to the Port Orchard Independent for the excellent article on the McCormick Village Park Master Plan (“Planning commission approves design for McCormick Village Park,” Oct. 21).

This plan now has progressed to the point where it will become a reality.

I would encourage any and all to visit the draft plan at www.cityofportorchard.us and click on McCormick Village Park Master Plan. When reaching that page, look for Draft McCormick Village Master Plan.

The plan was prepared by Jones & Jones, a world-class designer of public spaces.

What you will find is a very sophisticated proposal which will further identify our community as an innovative and progressive place to live and to do business.

Having served on the Park Planning Committee, I can attest to the lively discussions over what kind of a park we could support and the commitment of those involved.

We all understood we were being presented with a tremendous opportunity to more than double the acreage of all of the existing parks in the city and to put in place a truly unique venue.

Now we need to move away from that phase and into a discussion of what McCormick Village Park means to the residents of our community, as well as to what message it sends to those outside of our community.

We live in a city that has undergone considerable change in the past few years — and there is more on the drawing board.

Even with all of the economic uncertainty around us, our city has been a model for good fiscal management and has been recognized as such.

And in spite of the uncertainty, there are a number of progressive programs in various stages of development which will further define who we are and where we are going.

The potential Bethel Corridor annexation, the downtown parking garage, the Urban Waterfront Walkway, MVP Park and all the other community development projects under consideration will cause outsiders to view Port Orchard in a new and positive way.

All of this activity is being guided by a revamped city administration, a new mayor and a far-sighted city council — peopled by members who have the skills, motivation and desire to guide us through this progressive phase.

What will put it over the top is a citizenry that is supportive and equally committed.

Please be informed.

Please get involved.

Please care.

It’s your city.

Dick Davis is a Port Orchard resident.

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