1) The Boca Raton City Council has proposed replacing an old city dump site with a new residential park, though the project was previously postponed due to economic issues. 2) More than two dozen local residents have objected to the project and want to keep the dump site as is, citing concerns about noise, views from homes, potential lights, and traffic. 3) Supporters of the project, including a local high school student, believe a new park would provide needed recreational space for children in the neighborhood to play.

1. Spot Story 1
South FloridaJournal
By ChelseaTodaro
Newscaster’slead:Boca Raton CityCouncil hasrevivedthe proposal toreplace anoldcitydumpwitha
newresidential park.The projectwasfirst enactedin2006 but postponeddue toa tougheconomy.Now
that planningis backinthe works,more thantwo dozenresidentshave objectedtothe projectand
wouldratherkeepthe dumpsite the wayit is.ChelseaTodarohasmore on the story.
Reporter Intro: Locatednear the intersectionof Dixie HighwayandSouthwest18th
street,the site of a
formercitydumpis home to pilesof emptysodacans,glassbottles andevenafew cardboardboxes.
The plan to replace the areawith a newpark has now beenstalledbycomplaintsof local residents.
AssistantCityManager,Michael Woika acknowledges whypeople mighthave issueswithanew park.
Michael Woika(13 sec) “There are some neighbors,whoare certainlyforthe project,andtheyare the
oneswhobrought it forward.There are otherswhoare concernedfora numberof reasons:noise from
the park, the viewfromtheirhomes,potential lights,traffic issues.”
Reporter: Witha $50,000 budgetproposal,plansforthe park include recreationfields,aplayground
and nature trails.Boca Highschool studentandcityresident,SpencerDobkin,seesthe benefitsof
havinga newpark inhisneighborhood.
SpencerDobkin (12 sec) “I thinktheyshouldbuildaparkinsteadof keepthe dumpbecause alot of kids
inthe areaare cominghere tryingto playat the parks, andoftentimesthere are scheduledeventshere
alreadyandkidsdon’thave placesto getout and play.”
Conclusion:If finalized, thiswouldbe Boca’sfirstnew residential parkinadecade,withestimated
completionin2018. For SouthFloridaJournal,I’mChelseaTodaro.