A local landscape design firm with a plan to preserve and upgrade Symphony Woods made its case before the Columbia Council last night, reviving interest in what some local officials have called an underused -- and underappreciated -- resource.

Cyril B. Paumier Jr. and Charles Bailey, partners in the Columbia-based LDR International, told the 10-member council that they would like to see a "moderate" number of improvements to the 40-acre Town Center park, which would make it more accessible and user-friendly.

"It is a very, very awe-inspiring place to walk through," Paumier said of the property, which is owned by the Columbia Association. "I see it as a place of tranquility, whereas I see the [Town Center] lakefront as a place of lots of activity, lots of noise."

LDR, which designed Columbia's Centennial Park, was hired by CA several years ago to develop a master plan for Symphony Woods, but the project was never launched, in part because of cost.

The earlier proposal, on which the new one will be based, included the creation of a formal park entrance along Little Patuxent Parkway, a promenade circling the grounds, a series of boardwalks, a wildflower meadow and a link to the surrounding network of open space.

In a letter to CA President Deborah O. McCarty, Paumier said LDR would donate 25-30 days of staff time to prepare a planning study for the property in honor of the company's 30th anniversary. He estimated that would take six to eight months.

"The proposed improvements in the open space would be designed to provide pedestrian access through the park so that people could enjoy this spectacular landscape amenity," Paumier wrote.

He also said walkways and seating areas would be designed to minimize any negative impact on the environment.

Alex Hekimian, the council representative from Oakland Mills, asked how the project would be funded.

In addition to money from CA, Paumier said, the cost could be covered in part by private do nations and in-kind contributions. He said LDR might try to help raise some outside money.

Hekimian remembered a time when Symphony Woods was full of activity, including a petting zoo. That changed after police required the woods around Merriweather Post Pavilion, in the middle of the park, to be closed off to issue concert permits.

"It can't really be our 'Central Park' until that problem is dealt with," said Hekimian.

In other action last night, the council approved by a vote of 8-1 a revised version of the management contracts under which the planned community's 10 villages operate.

Kenneth Puckett, of Dorsey's Search, was the lone council member to oppose the new contract, saying it was "arrogant" and presumes a "parent-child" relationship, with CA taking the "superior" role.

Fearful of losing some of their autonomy, the villages have been locked in a power struggle with the council for months.

The council is trying "to use the power of the management contract to impose our will whether the village associations want to or not, and I don't think it's appropriate to discriminate against the villages," said Puckett.

The council will continue to examine its relationship with the villages during its new session, which begins May 1.

Pub Date: 3/26/99