To skip the fluff, and go straight to the petition. Click here.
It is becoming more and more clear that most Nashuans support replacing the old playground equipment at Greeley Park, and making the park fully accessible for people of all ability levels. This playground would be funded with a $250,000 gift from the Leadership Greater Nashua Class of 2012 who has been fundraising and developing the project concept for the past 2+ years. It has been a topic of extensive discussion at recent city meetings, including the most recent Board of Aldermen meeting which lasted late into the evening as a result of extensive public comment.
If you have read my past two blog posts, you know by now that I am among those who support this project. I believe that we should move forward, and give the Leadership Greater Nashua Class of 2012 an opportunity to deliver a full plan - and the Board of Aldermen should take a vote. If the plan makes sense, and the community supports it, the BOA should support the project.
Though I don't know that it could be prevented entirely, I ask myself, "How can we communicate the depth of the community support on this issue, without packing the house?" The answer is through a petition to the Board of Alderman, showing the support through online signatures.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the authenticity of signatures in an online petition. These concerns come in the wake of a recent "Duckgate" related petition, which garnered about 1,000 signatures from all over the world. Nashua also saw a recent petition, organized by Alderman Dan Moriarty in the Summer of 2013. This petition was related to halting the removal and replanting of Main Street Trees, which saw support from Chile, Brussels, South Africa and Germany. Though this survey also saw world wide attention, it is worth noting that NH was better represented.
To ensure that Nashua is well represented on this survey I have utilized the advanced settings of ipetition.com. The site allows the organizer to require a US IP address, unique name, and unique log in email or log in FB account. I have also required that folks provide their zip code, without listing the Nashua zip codes on the petition itself, to help filter out willy nilly petition signers. I have made it optional for folks to list their ward, as I imagine that Aldermen might be interested in knowing how many of the folks who signed the petition are from their ward.
Thus far, these methods have shown promise! With over 250 signatures, only 15 have listed a zip code from outside of the city. About 30% of folks have taken the next step and listed their city ward.I do understand that this is not as accurate as getting written signatures, and checking ID's, but I selected this particular petition site because I expect that it will yield a fairly reliable measure of support.
250+ signatures in under 12 hours? I would say that is a pretty good start. I expect that we may see this reach the initial goal of 500 signatures in the second or third day. It will only happen with help from folks like you. Will you sign the petition and share this patch article today?
You can read the language of the petition below, or go straight to the source by clicking here. Remember to sign and share. Together we can make a difference!
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Please only sign this petition if you live in Nashua, NH, agree that Greeley Park should be accessible to all, and understand that your petition information will be delivered to the Nashua, NH Board of Aldermen. Your zip code is required to ensure that you are a Nashua resident, but will not appear on the online signatures page. Limit one signature per name, email address, and/or Facebook account. Thanks, and spread the word!
The current playground at Greeley Park in Nashua is decades old and in poor condition. It has been well loved, enjoyed beyond its years, has rust, broken parts, and missing swings, and sits in the middle of Nashua's most attractive park. It is NOT currently accessible to individuals with disabilities. All the debate, study, and discussion in the world cannot overcome the fact that this current playground is not accessible to a significant and important portion of our population.
Nashua has an opportunity to accept a gift of $250,000 from a group of Nashua leaders, who want the City to use those funds to replace the old equipment with a new, all-accessible playground. This group has worked for two years with city officials and with licensed professionals who understand ADA compliance and access, to ensure that the new playground will be accessible within Greeley Park to all.
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Let's show our support for this great project!
The new playground will replace the old equipment, will mesh with the park's natural motif, and be accessible to all! It will not take up any additional green space in Greeley Park. Appropriate parking and access has also been taken into account, with the plans for a new playground as well.
Greeley Park is often described as the crown jewel in Nashua's park system. Let's start treating it that way, and replace the playground and improve the park's access for people of all abilities!
If we reach 500 signatures before Monday April 21st, the signature goal will be raised. Go for the gusto, and share this petition with your Nashua friends!
