I live in a neighborhood that has been impacted by the N. Graham Street and University City Blvd extensions. What once was a narrow two-lane road was widened into these two four-lane roads, featuring a low-visibility intersection. This intersection's presence is especially harmful. According to a brief from Rice University,'s Baker Institute, arterial roads like the ones built in our area "form a defacto blockade" for pedestrian movement. Based on this finding, our neighborhoods have been cut off from safe access to amenities such as a park. Where we once could walk along two-lane roads to the open spaces and basketball court on Derita School grounds, we now find ourselves cut off and trapped in a Park desert. As such, we petition you, the city council, for specific relief concerning a city-owned parcel of land, 04703203, located at 5334 University City Blvd.

This well-shaded property with pleasant natural features is part of District 4. It abuts two townhome developments that are currently coming online. Both developments comprise approximately 106 units. Michaal's Landing, 104-unit NOAH condo community, sits two parcels down. By preserving this land for placemaking and a park, you'll help our neighborhoods reclaim access to an important social resource. You'll also ensure our area is more closely aligned with several of your quality-of-life goals in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, including "10-minute cities" and  "Healthy, Safe, & Active Communities" Parks are essential for our well-being, providing open spaces for physical activity, improving air quality, and offering places for social interactions and community growth. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, parks also contribute to local economies by increasing property values (NRPA, 2020).

The preservation of this land is not just about nature, it is about community, safety, and reclaiming what we amputated from this community with these road expansions. We call on the City of Charlotte to acknowledge our situation and support our proposal to use this land for community-engaged placemaking and eventual park development.

By signing this petition, you are not only supporting a park - you are supporting a community's aspiration for spaces that can come together safely, sustainably, and harmoniously. Please sign and support the preservation of Parcel 04703203 for immediate placemaking and the eventual transition into a public park.