Hilltop Needmore Town Park

Presented a petition with 631 signatures asking for clearer standard operating procedures and accountability.

Read excerpts from a media article highlighting community opposition and expert warnings against ball fields at Hilltop.

Criticized the town board for pushing forward with ball field plans at Hilltop Needmore trotz public opposition.

Stated that residents will continue fighting to protect Hilltop Needmore from destructive development.

Expressed frustration over town monitoring of social media and urged the board to cancel the Hilltop park project.

Requested that the board pause action and release environmental studies before cutting down trees.

Questioned the financial costs and public support for the Hilltop ball fields.

Urged the board to preserve the Blue Trail and natural spaces at Hilltop Needmore.

Asked the board to preserve Hilltop Needmore Park and fund other facility repairs instead.

Urged balanced park planning that preserves natural trails alongside sports facilities.

Spoke against bulldozing the Blue Trail, sharing personal grief and the value of the nature sanctuary.

Voiced opposition to athletic fields and parking lots at Hilltop Needmore Park.

Urged the board to remove the $10 million park line item and honor campaign promises to protect green space.

Emphasized that voters rejected the 2023 bond and warned of environmental and financial risks from park construction.

Noted that former county commissioners confirmed the land was intended for passive use only and criticized the board's dismissal of public input.

A parks advisory board member who stated her objections to the ballfields were ignored and urged a pause on the project.

Read letters from former county officials and park experts opposing the ballfields due to traffic safety and passive preservation intent.

Expressed frustration over public comments being dismissed and questioned the lack of environmental impact studies.

Objected to the $10 million park allocation and presented evidence of traffic congestion issues near the site.

A parks advisory board member who criticized the board for canceling meetings and bypassing genuine advisory review.

Highlighted daily heavy usage of the Blue Trail and requested public release of environmental and economic impact assessments.

Expressed deep concern over the ballfield project, citing peaceful nature preservation and potential legal liabilities.

Expressed distrust in the board regarding coercion allegations and park development plans.

Spoke alongside her daughter Caroline, highlighting that not all children are drawn to sports and that quiet nature spaces are equally vital.

Spoke about heavy usage of the Blue Trail at Hilltop Needmore Park by walkers, joggers, and cross-country teams, asking the board not to remove it.

A military veteran suggested moving the proposed Armed Forces Memorial from Hilltop Needmore to Piney Woods Park in downtown as a unifying civic space.

An Army veteran of 31 years urged the board to find alternative solutions to preserve the peaceful habitat at Hilltop Needmore.

Argued that leveling the park for ball fields would destroy a one-of-a-kind natural area forever when level land is available elsewhere.

Spoke against poor planning and disregard for town character, asking the board to preserve natural beauty and utilize existing spaces like Kennebec Road.

Representing the park advocacy group, she criticized the board for sidestepping the 2023 bond defeat and urged pausing the plan.

Questioned government trust and asked for transparency regarding research into alternative school and church partnerships.

Presented specific alternatives including Wake County school partnerships, regional complexes with Harnett County, and utilizing farmers' land.

Expressed disappointment that leaders are pushing forward with items defeated by voters in the 2023 bond, damaging public trust.

Shared frustration over government ignoring the overwhelming majority of citizens who want the park protected.

Raised technical questions regarding traffic impact studies, well water protection, noise studies, and school partnerships.

A 41-year resident described how walking the park trails aided her recovery from severe injuries and highlighted its importance for disabled residents.

Argued that green space is a human right and warned against paving paradise for parking lots.

Spoke on behalf of Katie Biasi regarding the negative ecological impacts of noise and light pollution on wildlife at Hilltop Needmore.

A young resident spoke about the peace and comfort the Blue Trail provides to children after school.

Urged the board to listen to community members and preserve the natural gem for future generations.

Expressed concern for wildlife and the loss of natural habitat at the park.

Spoke as a wildlife rehabilitator about protecting the ecosystem and bald eagle habitat at Hilltop Needmore.

Represented the advocacy group opposing ball fields at Hilltop Needmore and questioned the board's responsiveness.

Recalled the history of how the park was acquired and urged preservation of trails.

Spoke about accessibility of the Blue Trail for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Read town Arbor Day proclamations and urged leaders to protect trees and parkland.

Expressed concern over traffic congestion, noise, and loss of wildlife habitat.

Voiced frustration over the revival of park development plans after the bond defeat.

Argued against ignoring the will of voters who defeated the bond referendum.

Urged the board to respect the bond vote and preserve green space instead of building ballfields.

Voiced opposition to park development as a park advocate, emphasizing lack of transparency.

Spoke against proposed ball fields at Hilltop Needmore Park, noting voters rejected the recent bond.