Security concerns related to Quark Park, an outdoor garden under construction on Palmer Square-owned property along Paul Robeson Place, were quickly assuaged Thursday when park organizers and Palmer Square legal representation reappeared before the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment to discuss the legitimacy of the park's presence.
The park, a follow-up to 2004's Writers Block, is slated to have operating hours from dawn to 11 p.m. As such, some measure of security detail would be necessary to preclude vandalism. In 2004, there were some minor incidents of vandalism.
But in regaining zoning approval — what was to be a routine act by the zoning board — turned into a minor scuffle between park organizers and Palmer Square Management, when the organizers indicated at a June public hearing that Palmer Square would supply security for the park during operating hours.
The zoning board gave the nod to a variance at the time, but did not mandate security as a condition of that approval. However, because public record indicated that security would be supplied, attorneys for Palmer Square urged the Borough to reconsider the application, this time without the misstatement.
"It was a clear statement of fact, and it needs to be stricken," said Thomas Letizia, an attorney representing Palmer Square.
According to Kevin Wilkes, a principal organizer for Quark Park and Writers Block, security in 2004 was supplied as part of a "casual" agreement with one Palmer Square security guard who agreed to check in on the park periodically until 11 p.m., when security goes off duty. However, that arrangement, Mr. Wilkes added, was feasible because that park closed at dusk. Quark Park's extended hours are due to increased evening programming.
"I was inaccurate in saying that there would be security service, because they simply don't have any," Mr. Wilkes said. "Therefore, I don't have any."
William Sutphin, zoning board attorney, was somewhat surprised that the application had come back for reconsideration: "Let me put it this way: if security were a condition of approval, it would seem much more central to the park, but it's not a condition." Barry Royce, board chairman agreed, saying that past references to security had been casual.
But Mr. Letizia, who agreed that security was not a condition of approval, argued that the fact that Mr. Wilkes's statements appeared in the June meeting's public documents, could present the basis for Palmer Square being at fault in the event of an accident or injury.
"I think it's very important that we clarify the record," he said, adding that if the statement regarding security had been left in, "one could argue that we had agreed to it."
Mr. Wilkes said that in 2004, one chair, two plants, and a piece of garden art were stolen and that this time, when Quark Park opens formally late next week, the gates will be closed and locked at night. "We feel we have a reasonable level of security in place," he said. Mr. Wilkes later issued a statement indicating that Borough Police Lt. Nick Sutter had agreed in a communication that Quark Park would undergo routine patrols, as is the case with other public parks.
———
In other news, two private donations totaling $1,000 and $5,000 from Princeton University have recently been contributed to Quark Park. The University donation, which was given by University President Shirley Tilghman out of the President's Fund, brings the park fund-raising effort to $34,000, $15,000 short of campaign goals. A performance stage, with an estimated cost of $8,000 has yet to receive funding, Mr. Wilkes said. However, an anonymous donor has agreed to match funds raised for the performance area.
Return to Previous Story | Return to Top | Go to Next Story