Prickly bushes spark prickly debate
Don Harrold, Executive Editor
editor@enterprisepub.com
A Park Board plan to plant prickly bushes as a safety barrier at Summit Park drew objections at the Sept. 15 Missouri Valley City Council meeting at the Rand Center, and no solution has been agreed on.
Park Board member Tina Thornburg presented the plan during her parks update. The barrier would sit near a drop-off leading to the old landfill area, on the hill by the cemetery.
"A previous fence in that location was damaged by children climbing on it and subsequently removed," Thornburg wrote in an email to the Times-Reporter. "Due to high costs, replacing the fence is not a viable option."
The board instead wants bushes that are low-maintenance, shade-tolerant, deer-resistant and prickly.
"This natural barrier will help deter children from the edge and keep deer away without requiring extensive care or significant upkeep," she wrote. "Please note that we are not requesting any city funding for this project."
Councilman Chris Gilpin opposed using thorny plants.
"I believe there are legitimate safety concerns that deserve to be considered," Gilpin wrote in an email to the Times-Reporter. "The playground equipment at Summit Park is geared toward children under the age of 10. … What happens if a child is running around and falls into one of the bushes? What if a child's ball or toy becomes trapped in the bushes and the child attempts to retrieve it?"
Other options, mainly fencing, were discussed, but the council reached no agreement. Gilpin said that "based on the discussion, it did not appear that the rest of the council was supportive of using thorny bushes in the park either."
The barrier was one of several items in Thornburg's update. She also reported on tree plantings, work with the Fair Board, a Gathering Market banner for the pool fence, and fire pits for the park. The city plans to apply for a grant to build a multi-use court for tennis, pickleball, basketball and other sports.
Councilman Aaron Tuttle raised a proposal from the Masonic Lodge to rename Summit Park, along with possible future financial contributions and volunteer help from the Lodge.
The Park Board's next meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at City Hall.
