Hello fellow backers,

I have spoken with both the School District and The Fire Company No. 1, and we have come to a conclusion.  While The Fire Co. acknowledges that there are issues with traffic during the school AM and PM commutes, it is their duty to honor the firefighters before them who established the park space in 1938 as a place for the community to play and socialize.  Per a 1949 legally binding pact with The City of Middleton, the park was not meant to have been used for non-park purposes as it has been.  The parking lot and the driveway connections that exist on the park property were unfortunately built without permission from the owners of the park.  So, the City of Middleton, MCPASD, and I have chosen to honor that pact.  For more information on the history of the park, please view the Firemen's Park Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578013217943

I have spoken with several staff at MHS and the DSC regarding next steps on tackling the traffic issues (and also potentially finding alternative parking options), and they assured me they will be working to determine solutions.  The Fire Company No. 1 has also assured me that in regards to emergency services accessing the north end of the building, The Middleton Police and Firefighters have several strategies in place so that the blocked path will not cause a problem.

Finally, I would like to urge everyone: Please do not attack or villainize The Fire Company No. 1.  They only intend to honor their firefighters who established the park and their 1949 pact that was legally established.  The goal of my petition was to bring awareness to the traffic situation -- not to place blame on any one party.  I am a pacifist by nature, and it was not my intention for anyone to lash out.  

Thank you for your understanding!  

-Todd