Marion Parks Board Recommends Legion Park Land Swap

The voted to recommend a land swap for portions of at a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The board took comments from the public on the proposed land swap before voting to recommend the land swap to the Marion City Council. A public hearing on the matter will take place at a Marion City Council meeting in July.

Marilyn Sippy, a former member of the Tree Board who came representing the concerns of residents, said she appreciated the efforts of the board and of the recipients of the land swap, CeMar Holdings, to more clearly communicate their plan.

That's in contrast to the previous meeting, where the Gazette reported confusion and frustration by residents over what would happen with the swap.

The swap gives a little over an acre of land on the north side of the park to CeMar Holdings, in exchange for 3.5 acres of land expanding the park.

"I think it's probably fair," Sippy said. She said some residents will mourn the loss of a rare, beloved evergreen tree on the exchanged property, but said the loss is lessened by getting more trees in exchange.

The land swap will cut off three holes in Marion's disc golf course, but Parks and Recreation Director Richard Fox said the department is committed to making sure they will be replaced.

Patty Wise, a Marion Parks and Recreation Board Member, said she originally voted against recommending the land swap, but changed her mind. She said she thinks the integrity hasn't been compromised by the deal.

As a life long Marion resident, she was glad to hear that the top of the sledding hill is now cut out of the exchange.

"There’s history there," she said.