Old Lane Park

History

Old Lane Park was one of 4 locations that the new Park District gave their attention to as they began their job in 1961. The concentration of homes was the guideline that indicated a need for parks and playgrounds. Four and a half acres between Jenny Lane and Mark-Dale Drive was the land the Park District wanted to purchase. They were ready to start removing debris, mowing and planting trees.

The park commissioners found themselves in the midst of a controversy, however, because the owners didn’t want to sell the land for a park. The residents were not sure of the idea either. The Park District took their mandate, to create a park in every neighborhood, that the residents voted on seriously and began condemnation proceedings against the owners.

Bill Yeck and the commissioners held a public hearing to get the temperament of the residents and to find alternatives. He wanted to learn more of the issues and understand what the problems were.

The residents thought the property was too expensive for a playground and also thought the park would lower the value of nearby properties. They imagined large crowds of people bringing with them noise and uproar, rather than a quiet playground for the neighborhood kids. And they questioned the legality of the Park District’s actions.

The Park District addressed the concerns and eventually found another site, the present site, that would not front on either street of the first site. It had a natural buffer zone of trees between the play area and the homes on Mark-Dale. The second site was accepted by the residents, but not the owners. Condemnation proceedings began for the second site and the controversy would continue until 1966.

The property was purchased in 1966 with financial assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Old Lane Park was named for an old farm lane that ran through the property in the 1800s.

Note: History courtesy of Pat Aldrich, Centerville-Washington History