
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 1, 1995                   TAG: 9502010041
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JIM CRAWFORD
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PROTECT CITY'S `POCKETS' OF GREEN

I'M A longtime Roanoke resident and a graduate of Jefferson High School, and am working toward a master's degree at Virginia Tech. I've seen many changes in Roanoke city, such as those covered so humanely and compellingly by your staff writer Mary Bishop.

I've followed the ongoing discussions of Roanoke's growth and development with interest. As many would agree, Roanoke offers its residents many qualities that are lacking in some of the more sprawling economic centers. Certainly we have much to do to strengthen the city's economic foundations, but I think the main concern of many of Roanoke's citizens is quality of life.

The two news stories in your Jan. 25 edition concerning greenways were of special interest to me. I applaud Mayor Bowers' suggestion that monies from the sale to the National Park Service of city property near Carvins Cove be used to develop a citywide greenways system (``Appalachian Trail land may be sold''). Ditto concerning the story proclaiming Roanoke County's interest in a regional greenways system (``County looks into greenways''). Greenways, linking our river lands and adjacent parks, would add tremendously to our shared quality of life.

For 15 years, I've lived beside Spotswood Park, one of the city's small "pocket" parks. It overlooks the river and railroad system. I'm distressed to learn that the park is being surveyed and divided into lots for four homes. This development is contrary to the concept of the greenway and to our quality of life.

Spotswood Park was donated to the city by the Fishburn estate under the condition that it be a park. Spotswood's small size and location kept it out of the city's official park system. Recently, the city transferred the title to the land (legally I'm told) without any notification to neighboring property owners. I'm torn in this concern because this once-public land has been donated to an organization that I support wholeheartedly, Habitat for Humanity. I've played music for benefit fund-raisers for Habitat. I have concern for the quality of life for all of Roanoke's citizens.

Upon first learning of this project (by accident), I voiced my opinions to the city planning department. There are many derelict lots and homes in the city, and anyone who lives by one is aware of the problems these properties pose. Why, I asked, doesn't the city donate these properties to Habitat, to be cleared and have Habitat homes built in their place? This would solve two problems at once, by also helping to rebuild neighborhoods.

The city's thinking, as expressed to me, is that it's hard to tear down and dispose of old buildings in order to rebuild. So is the solution to take some of the precious little green area in our city and fill it with homes? What have we gained? Let's talk with one voice and one design. We can provide decent, low-cost homes and provide greenways at the same time - not sacrifice greenways because it's easy to build on a grassy knoll ringed by elms and other natural habitat.

Today, the surveyor's tape glows bright orange in the winter sun, marking lots for houses that I never dreamed would be there. I suppose the wheels of progress have passed the point of pardoning Spotswood Park, but let this be a warning to those who enjoy the patches of green within our city limits: They are a rare and apparently dispensable commodity.

Jim Crawford of Roanoke is pursuing a graduate degree at Virginia Tech.

by CNB