At tonight’s West Fargo City Commission meeting we discussed the desire of the West Fargo Park District to sell/develop the Beaton Farm property. This is unchartered territory for the Park District to sell what many consider to be a park.  This land, donated to them for public good, is a result of work done by previous city commissions to require developers to provide land for parks as part of creating new developments. 

Many may agree with the Parks that the land is more valuable for development purposes than as a community park.  Those opinions might be different if the park in question was in their backyard.  People buy properties near parks and pay a premium for them.  They make these purchases based on the expectation that these parks will always be parks.  Unfortunately, the Park District just made that a question that now must be considered. 

I respect the Park Board for being fiscally responsible; however, I’m not sure that should be attained by selling off a park.  One resident recently asked me “when did the park district become more about athletics and indoor facilities than greenspace and parks?” I love the Rustad Center (and use it frequently) but it’s an interesting question.

This property can only be developed if it is rezoned.  I am a firm believer that neighboring or adjacent properties have a vested interest in the question of rezoning a property.  I strongly encourage the neighboring property owners to make sure their opinions (for or against) are heard at any potential future public hearings.