The Green Perspective On Events and Issues

While the law requires the alienated parkland eventually to be replaced with comparable facilities, city officials also promised the community "interim facilities" would be available during the long period of construction.

But the running track in Macombs Dam Park, fenced off weeks ago as the project got underway, has been replaced by spray-painted markings on the sidewalks around Mullaly Park directing joggers to run around the block.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" fumed Lukas Herbert, a member of Community Board 4 who voted against the controversial stadium plan. "Or is this 'running course' for real? If it is for real, then we have a real problem."

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the stadium project promises that "a temporary track for the local residents would be created and [be] available throughout the construction period."

The parkland replacement plan outlined in the FEIS promised a 15-foot-wide, cinder-surface track around baseball fields to be built on what is now a parking lot northeast of the existing stadium.

Instead, local residents got a half-mile route spray-painted on the sidewalk with a cheery sign declaring, "Now you can enjoy walking or jogging on the new measured path around the northern section of Mullaly Park."

Not only is a cement sidewalk no replacement for a proper running surface, but Herbert pointed out that the "path" is also located just a block from the new stadium construction site.

"When the dust gets started, with those dump trucks lined up along the road," he said. "Would it really be a good idea to go for a jog right there?"

The stop-gap measure has done little to dampen local discontent, said Herbert, which boiled over at the community board's Sept. 25 meeting.

"Even the people who supported the stadium plan think this is completely over the top," said Herbert.

First Deputy Commissioner for Parks Liam Cavanagh agreed, saying, "We don't consider that an adequate replacement" but rather "a means to encourage people to maintain their fitness regimen" until the interim track is ready next spring.

Cavanagh said the city couldn't begin creating the replacement parks until the stadium project was approved this summer, and now Parks must go through a time-consuming procurement process before the work can get started.

"We're doing everything we can to expedite this," he said.