We want the passive and farm park combination

[Ezell Farm Park]

The latest version of the Ezell Farm Park plan showing it developed as a combination of passive and farm park is great! In contrast to the current Mint Hill town parks and the planned county sports complex at I-485 and Independence this park will be a peaceful oasis. The incubator farm and farmer's market recognize the agricultural heritage of the area and provide for unique educational opportunities. The community center and amphitheater provide gathering places for various groups and events. Play meadows and trails provide for more active pursuits and the preservation of woods and wetlands enables interaction with nature.

This passive and farm park plan for Ezell Farm closely meets some of the primary dictionary definitions of a park; 1) a piece of ground in or near a city or town kept for ornament and recreation, 2) an area maintained in its natural state as a public property.

Thank you to the Mecklenburg County Park and Rec Planning staff for listening to the citizens that have attended the public sessions.

[farmmom]

I would like to voice my support for the Passive Park & Farm concept. Not only does this fill a void in Mint Hill as well as the county, but it maintains the spirit of our neighborhood.

My primary concern is the safety of our children in the neighborhood. The issue of the speed on Mintwood Drive must be addressed as well as the lack of sidewalks. We have enough noise and traffic through our neighborhood with Mintwood Drive being a 'cut through' street as well as a commercial nursery sitting in the middle of it all. Add in the traffic, noise and light pollution from an active park with ball and soccer fields, and the quality of life in our neighborhood will deteriorate considerably.

There are already many options for those seeking an active park in the Mint Hill area with more options on the way.

The Passive Park & Farm option would keep the integrity of our neighborhood, celebrate our farming heritage, and provide a unique and interesting destination for not only Mint Hill residents, but for the county and beyond.

[PreserveTheFarmFeeling]

The passive and farm themes of the new Ezell Park reflects the vast majority of the wishes expressed by the people in our area, as they were expressed at the meetings. Anyone who challenges that simply didn't attend the meetings, or didn't listen if they were there. We NEED the passive park. We need to educate young people in raising crops and farming, and our community needs the preservation of our farming roots and hope for fresh vegetables grown locally in our future! My dad always said "They aren't making more land," and it is so true - if we don't learn how to farm the land wisely now, we will all suffer in the future when there is so little land left to use wisely. MECKLENBURG COUNTY, your plans are fantastic. DO IT!!