Ask The Answer Person: "Why create a new park on East Water Street near Mary Christopher Park?"

Dennis e-mails: "Why are there plans for another pocket park on the east end of Water Street when Mary Christopher Park is only a few feet away?  Wouldn't it be more prudent to design the amenities of the pocket park into the existing park?"

The Answer Person says: "Can we get a little love for Mary Christopher Park?  Apparently not.  The park was proposed as the possible location for a veterans memorial and local veterans weren't interested.  Likewise, the group proposing the Dry Run Park wasn't interested in Mary Christopher Park.  The park has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, bench, drinking fountain, restrooms and playground equipment, but it's a rare day when you'll see someone using it.  At one point in time, it was the location for some spirited horseshoe matches, but that use has ended.  At one point in time, it was also proposed as the site of the Winneshiek Farmers Market, but the present location at the Lower Co-op Parking Lot was chosen instead.

What to do with Mary Christopher Park?  At this point, it looks like the plans for the pocket park at the corner of Riverside and East Water Street will proceed, while Mary Christopher Park will continue to be underused."