A front-page photograph in Monday's Anne Arundel edition was paired with the wrong headline. The photo of Mike Phennicie (at right) of Professional Consulting Services, Inc., belonged with an article about a development proposed for Brooklyn Park.
5) The Baltimore Sun regrets the errors.
Something must be done to drive vandals, vagrants and drug users from a deteriorating community park in Brooklyn Park, neighborhood residents agree. But that's where the agreement ends.
Residents are split over a county plan to lease Brooklyn Park II of 11th Avenue to a developer who would build a go-cart track, batting cages and courses for miniature golf courses and bank-shot basketball.
Parents of students at Park Elementary School, adjacent to the park, like the idea of nearby, family-oriented recreation with full-time security guards.
But others believe the project only would make matters worse, attracting more trouble-makers.
"We got enough trouble in the neighborhood," groused Willie Wilhide, vice president of the Brooklyn Heights Improvement Association.
He said many of the elderly residents who live on the east side of Ritchie Highway are tired of teen-agers "sniffing glue, drinking, taking girls back there and using filthy language."
Park officials and the Glen Burnie developer who has entered a joint venture with the county to build the park say opponents have the wrong idea. Their plans will enhance the neighborhood and drive vandals out, they say.
TTC "They're thinking an amusement park with rides," said Mike Phennicie, president of Professional Consulting Services, Inc., managers of Quiet Waters and Downs parks.
Mr. Phennicie said he offered to develop the park after winning a bid to construct a similar, larger-scale facility at Friendship Park, near Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
Jay Cuccia, assistant director of the department of Recreation and Parks, said community residents will have to decide what they want.
"We can't fight the battle for the community anymore," he said. "We can float the idea to the residents to find out if [there's support]."
The 21-acre park -- with three ball diamonds, a walking trail, remnants of a picnic area and small playground -- has been vandalized repeatedly over the years.
"We just don't have the money to pump in there," Mr. Cuccia said.
Mr. Phennicie showed his plans recently to Park Elementary School parents at a joint meeting of the school's Citizen Advisory Committee and Parent Teacher Organization. He would build the facilities on a paved corner of the park that once had basketball, tennis and handball courts.
"We were all very impressed," said Donna Schramek, CAC chairman. "I like the idea that there would be some improvements made. If you make it family-oriented, these people would go elsewhere who are up to no good."
Mr. Phennicie said he could start building after obtaining county permits. He would hope to open by March, the start of the season.
CORRECTION