Old Lane Park
About the Park
Old Lane Park is a
neighborhood park with tennis courts and play equipment featuring climbers,
slides, belt swings, and infant swings.
Features
- Drinking Fountain
- Picnic Tables
- Play Equipment
- Tennis Courts (2)
History
Old Lane Park was one of 4
locations that the new Park District gave their
attention to as they began their job in 1961. The
concentration of homes was the guideline that indicated
a need for parks and playgrounds. Four and a half acres
between Jenny Lane and Mark-Dale Drive was the land the
Park District wanted to purchase. They were ready to
start removing debris, mowing, and planting trees.
The park commissioners found themselves in the midst of a controversy,
however, because the owners didn't want to sell the land
for a park. The residents were not sure of the idea
either. The Park District took their mandate, to create
a park in every neighborhood, that the residents voted
on seriously and began condemnation proceedings against
the owners.
Bill Yeck and the commissioners held
a public hearing to get the temperament of the residents
and to find alternatives. He wanted to learn more of the
issues and understand what the problems were.
The residents thought the property was
too expensive for a playground and also thought the park
would lower the value of nearby properties. They
imagined large crowds of people bringing with them noise
and uproar, rather than a quiet playground for the
neighborhood kids. And they questioned the legality of
the Park District's actions.
The Park District
addressed the concerns and eventually found another
site, the present site, that would not front on either
street of the first site. It had a natural buffer zone
of trees between the play area and the homes on
Mark-Dale. The second site was accepted by the
residents, but not the owners. Condemnation proceedings
began for the second site and the controversy would
continue until 1966.
The property was purchased in 1966 with financial assistance from the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Old Lane Park was named for
an old farm lane that ran through the property in the 1800's.
Note: History courtesy of Pat
Aldrich,
Centerville-Washington Township Historical
Society
Photo Gallery
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