Does everyone in Williamsport know that Flanigan Park is not considered a city park? According to its web site, the Parks Department is responsible for maintaining parks and pools within the city. Is not Flanigan Park within the City of Williamsport? Flanigan Park is not listed and is not recognized as a park within the city. When contacting the City Parks Department to inquire as to why the city doesn't maintain Flanigan Park, even though it is a park within the city, they advised that the mayor's office be contacted to answer that question. The office was contacted July 26 and to date I have received no response.
The Lycoming Housing Authority presently owns the park property that the city wants nothing to do with? The playground equipment needs maintained, repaired or replaced, among other things. The Housing Authority approved a lease agreement this past April with the City of Williamsport to allow the City to install three utility poles and mount surveillance cameras on them in Flanigan Park. To date, this has not been done.
There are many people in the surrounding neighborhoods that have children who play in the park who are concerned and want to know why Flanigan Park has been left neglected over the years, not considered a city park, recognized only as a neighborhood park, to be maintained and operated by the neighborhood?
It is time to stop ignoring the true problem and who should take some responsibility for the crime in the park. It is the city's responsibility to help keep our community a safe place for our kids. Flanigan Park is a city park and should have never been put in the hands of a housing authority to maintain.
Flanigan Park should have always been maintained by the city, just the same as all the other parks. When something needed replaced, repaired or installed, such as the surveillance cameras, it should have been done. The City of Williamsport needs to start taking responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of Flanagan Park, which includes the playground, basketball courts and baseball field.
This is being submitted on behalf of the children and youth who play in the park daily and all who deserve to know why this park has been discriminated against by being treated differently than all the other parks. This is an issue that no longer can be ignored. Something needs to be done before another tragedy occurs."
Linda Jackson
Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
