Meet 'em and greet 'em at the Arboretum

The Carbondale Park District is holding an open house from 5-7 p.m. TONIGHT at the Civic Center to discuss the "draft master plan" for Marberry Arboretum.

The plan, which cost $14,000, suggests taking Carbondale New School property and using it as a parking lot, wiping out a lot of the trees, setting up a series of individual gardens, building a visitor center and/or amphitheater etc. etc., for a mere $1.6 to $1.9 million. But, as Richard Grant points out, "We don't have any money to do any of this." Well, duh. The consulting firm partner will be there to entertain comments. (Afterward, at 7, at the "real" Park Board meeting, they will one mo' time vote on whether to build the clubhouse at Hickory Ridge. Is it just me, or does some of this resemble Oz??? )

If they really want to do something, why don't they just label the trees? Or keep the poison ivy off the trails? I'll bet they could do some cool things for a lot less than $1.6 million. Maybe even some POOLthings.

Read the full story in the Southern Illinoisan. Obviously, the reporter has spent some time walking the Arboretum's paths.

Where's the POOL?

I haven't heard much from POOL (People Organized against Only Lakes) lately. Time is running out to make a deal with the School Boards for the property. Maybe the Park District should focus on building a swimming pool instead of parking lots at the Marberry Arboretum. There's enough parking there already.