Brookfield is fighting back against the Tauranga City Council decision that threatens 3ha of parkland gifted to the city.
Hundreds of people have already signed a petition and a public meeting was planned to raise awareness of the importance of the land in the middle of Brookfield.
The petition was launched by long-time Brookfield resident Andy Adams and follows the shock council decision to "divest its interests and involvement" in Sydenham Park, next to Brookfield Primary School.
The decision, which goes out for public consultation from March 21 to April 21, was driven by the council's gloomy economic outlook and the need to make savings wherever possible. It costs ratepayers $30,000 a year to mow and maintain the block.
Mr Adams understood that the meeting will be timed to coincide with the period of submissions on the council's 2011-12 annual plan. The primary school was right behind the campaign to keep the park in public hands.
Copies of the petition were in local schools including Otumoetai Intermediate, Lovell Real Estate, Video Ezy, Brookfield Pharmacy and Brookfield Four Square. A manned stall was planned to be set up outside Brookfield New World for for people to sign the petition.
The council is threatening to scrap the agreement reached with Guardian Trust that the land was the city's in perpetuity - so long as it was maintained as a park. The trust administers the land on behalf of the late Frank Sydenham's estate.
Mr Adams said that if Mr Sydenham was alive to see what was going on, he would be horrified. A lot of community dismay surrounded the council decision and he believed 80 per cent of Brookfield residents would want the park.
Martin Lovell said there was a lot of local sentiment and emotion around the land.
"People would like to see it remain as a park - as somewhere they can enjoy.
"The last thing I want to see is the land turned into a subdivision. It should be for the enjoyment of everybody. It's a very nice block of land."
Mr Lovell said this area of the city did not have enough large blocks of land that were so suitable for families and recreation. The park fitted perfectly with the council's live/work/play philosophy for urban planning. "It's right here, right by Brookfield's CBD."
Hundreds petition to save Brookfield park
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