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McIntire Park is in the City of Charlottesville.  The park is named in honor of its benefactor, [[Paul Goodloe McIntire]], who donated the original land.
[[McIntire Park]] is a [[Charlottesville]] park named in honor of its benefactor, [[Paul Goodloe McIntire]], who donated the land. McIntire intended for the park to be reserved for white citizens only and donated land for [[Washington Park]] to be reserved for African-Americans. <ref>{{cite web|title=HISTORY OF WASHINGTON PARK|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-h-z/parks-recreation-/parks-trails/city-parks/parks-history/history-of-washington-park|author=|work=|publisher=City of Charlottesville|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=March 23, 2016}}</ref>{{fact}}
==Meadowcreek Parkway==


Part of the park will soon be used for the city's portion of the [[Meadowcreek Parkway]]. The [[Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park]] is pursuing a series of lawsuits to stop construction.
It is home to the [[Dogwood Vietnam Memorial]].
[[File:McIntirePark.jpg|400px|thumb|left|McIntire Park at Sunrise]]


==YMCA==
{{clear}}


The [[Piedmont Family YMCA]] is planning on building a fitness and aquatic center in the western half of the Park, though the exact footprint is under question due to the economic downturn. A group called the [[McIntire Park Preservation Committee]] has formed to try to prevent this from occurring, or at least to ensure that the YMCA does not cause two softball fields at the park to be eliminated.  
==Amenities==
[[image:Chubby-softball.gif|thumb|right]]McIntire park is home to
*walking trails
*skate park
*children's playground
*softball fields
*a baseball field
*picnic shelters
*YMCA
 
===Former amenities===
*a golf course
*wading pool
 
==History==
A trial experiment with lighted of tennis courts took place in 1940. The [[Young Men's Business Club]] paid for the endeavor. <ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Tennis Courts To Be Lighted at McIntire|url=http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2763703/view#openLayer/uva-lib:2763711/4984/1643/3/1/0|author=Staff Reports|pageno=8|printdate=August 9, 1940|publishdate=August 9, 1940|accessdate=August 9, 2016 from University of Virginia Library}}</ref>
 
==Events==
McIntire Park is traditionally home to the annual [[Dogwood Festival]] carnival and the July Fourth fireworks display{{fact}}.
 
==21st century evolution==
===Meadowcreek Parkway impacts===
The city's portion of the [[Meadowcreek Parkway]] runs along the eastern edge of McIntire Park. The [[Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park]] pursued a series of lawsuits to stop construction, including one against the Federal Highway Administration which was heard on April 25, 2012.<ref name="feb12-update">{{cite web|title=Parkway interchange awaits result of federal lawsuit|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/02/interchange-lawsuit-update.html|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=February 26, 2012|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref> On May 29, 2012, Judge [[Norman K. Moon]] dismissed the case against the FHWA, allowing the project to proceed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Judge Moon rules against Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park; Parkway Interchange to proceed|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/05/interchange-lawsuit-resolved.html|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=May 29, 2012|accessdate=June 25, 2012}}</ref>
 
====Golf====
McIntire Park was home to a nine-hole golf course that would be disrupted or eliminated by Parkway construction. The group [[Save McIntire Golf]] advocated for retention of the course in some form because it was home to the [[First Tee of Charlottesville]], a program that sought to educate children about golf and leadership. Golf activities ceased by the end of 2015. <ref>{{cite web|title=Council briefed on city parks and recreation department plans|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/22772-charlottesville-parks-briefing/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 9, 2016|accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref> That was a year ahead of schedule. <ref name="reuben" >{{cite web|title=Public gives input on new McIntire Park design|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/18245-public-gives-input-on-new-mcintire-park-design/|author=Reuben Jones|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=June 4, 2014|accessdate=December 27, 2014}}</ref>
 
====Botanical Gardens====
[[McIntire Botanical Garden]], a non-profit group, is creating a botanical garden in the east end of the park in areas that have been home to the municipal golf course.
 
===YMCA===
The [[Piedmont Family YMCA]] is constructing a fitness and aquatic center in the western half of the Park. A group called the [[McIntire Park Preservation Committee]] had formed to try to prevent this construction, or at least to ensure that the construction does not eliminate two softball fields at the park.
 
The project was on pending resolution of a Virginia Supreme Court case that claimed Charlottesville and Albemarle County broke Virginia's procurement laws by not allowing private companies to submit a request for proposals to operate an aquatic facility on city-owned land. <ref>{{cite web|title=Fitness group sues Albemarle and Charlottesville over YMCA|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2010/05/ymca-lawsuit.html|author=|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=May 13, 2010|accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|title=VA Supreme Court to hear YMCA case of fitness clubs vs. Albemarle|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/08/supreme_court_to_hear_ymca_case.html|author=Brian Wheeler|work=|publisher=Charlottesvillee Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=August 22, 2011|accessdate=August 23, 2011}}</ref> The court heard the case in the spring of 2012 and threw out the case in January 2014. {{fact}}
 
Financing was secured in late 2015 allowing the project to break ground.
 
==Past development==
The construction of the [[U.S. Route 250]] bypass ran through the park, with one section of the old park becoming what is now [[Greenleaf Park]]. Another former section, at the southeast end of [[McIntire Road]] near the rescue squad, initially became tennis courts and is now the [[Charlottesville Skateboard Park]].
 
==Eastern side master plan==
In September 2012, [[City Council]] adopted a master plan for eastern side of the park. <ref name="adoption">{{cite web|title=Golf to leave McIntire sooner; Recreational fields still at issue|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/12829-mcintire-plan/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=September 4, 2012|accessdate=May 20, 2013}}</ref> That process began in the fall of 2011 with three public meetings. More public meetings have been held in 2012<ref name=cityeastplan>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/index.aspx?page=3089|title=McIntire Park Planning||publisher=City of Charlottesville|work=official website|publishdate=|accessdate=8 Dec 2011}}</ref>. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held a public hearing in {{as of|2012|3|31|alt=March 2012}}. <ref>{{cite web|title=McIntire Park planning process continues|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/02/mcintire-park-design.html|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=February 29, 2012|accessdate=March 9, 2012}}</ref>
 
The Final Master Plan Report outlines planned changes to the park to be adopted, including the development of a trail and bike system. In addition, the [[Charlottesville Skateboard Park]] will be relocated to the southwest side of the park, where currently there is parking for the golf course. The golf course itself will remain open, but will be reverted to passive use by the end of 2016. Upon its reversion to passive use, portions of the golf course may also be used for the expansion of the botanical gardens.
 
The wading pool was closed permanently following the conclusion of the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Community Guided Park Master Plan for McIntire Park East Side|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=22691|author=|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Parks & Recreation|location=|publishdate=June 20, 2012|accessdate=July 16, 2012}}</ref>
 
The city hired multinational design corporation Stantec and [[Line + Grade]] to construct a skate park concept and Baltimore-based Mahan-Rykiel to design the park plan. <ref name="reuben" /> The skate park and the pedestrian bridge were officially opened on [[April 20]], 2019. <ref>{{cite web|title=Pedestrian railroad crossing in McIntire Park moving forward|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/26482-pedestrian-railroad-crossing-in-mcintire-park-bid/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=February 26, 2017|accessdate=December 27, 2017}}</ref>


==External links==
==External links==
[http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=367 McIntire Park on City website]
[http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=367 McIntire Park on City website]


==Notes==
==References==
<references/>
{{reflist}}
 


[[Category: Charlottesville Parks]]
[[Category:Charlottesville Parks]]
[[Category:Charlottesville developments]]

Revision as of 20:16, 5 May 2019

McIntire Park is a Charlottesville park named in honor of its benefactor, Paul Goodloe McIntire, who donated the land. McIntire intended for the park to be reserved for white citizens only and donated land for Washington Park to be reserved for African-Americans. [1][citation needed]

It is home to the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial.

McIntire Park at Sunrise

Amenities

Chubby-softball.gif

McIntire park is home to

  • walking trails
  • skate park
  • children's playground
  • softball fields
  • a baseball field
  • picnic shelters
  • YMCA

Former amenities

  • a golf course
  • wading pool

History

A trial experiment with lighted of tennis courts took place in 1940. The Young Men's Business Club paid for the endeavor. [2]

Events

McIntire Park is traditionally home to the annual Dogwood Festival carnival and the July Fourth fireworks display[citation needed].

21st century evolution

Meadowcreek Parkway impacts

The city's portion of the Meadowcreek Parkway runs along the eastern edge of McIntire Park. The Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park pursued a series of lawsuits to stop construction, including one against the Federal Highway Administration which was heard on April 25, 2012.[3] On May 29, 2012, Judge Norman K. Moon dismissed the case against the FHWA, allowing the project to proceed.[4]

Golf

McIntire Park was home to a nine-hole golf course that would be disrupted or eliminated by Parkway construction. The group Save McIntire Golf advocated for retention of the course in some form because it was home to the First Tee of Charlottesville, a program that sought to educate children about golf and leadership. Golf activities ceased by the end of 2015. [5] That was a year ahead of schedule. [6]

Botanical Gardens

McIntire Botanical Garden, a non-profit group, is creating a botanical garden in the east end of the park in areas that have been home to the municipal golf course.

YMCA

The Piedmont Family YMCA is constructing a fitness and aquatic center in the western half of the Park. A group called the McIntire Park Preservation Committee had formed to try to prevent this construction, or at least to ensure that the construction does not eliminate two softball fields at the park.

The project was on pending resolution of a Virginia Supreme Court case that claimed Charlottesville and Albemarle County broke Virginia's procurement laws by not allowing private companies to submit a request for proposals to operate an aquatic facility on city-owned land. [7] [8] The court heard the case in the spring of 2012 and threw out the case in January 2014. [citation needed]

Financing was secured in late 2015 allowing the project to break ground.

Past development

The construction of the U.S. Route 250 bypass ran through the park, with one section of the old park becoming what is now Greenleaf Park. Another former section, at the southeast end of McIntire Road near the rescue squad, initially became tennis courts and is now the Charlottesville Skateboard Park.

Eastern side master plan

In September 2012, City Council adopted a master plan for eastern side of the park. [9] That process began in the fall of 2011 with three public meetings. More public meetings have been held in 2012[10]. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held a public hearing in March 2012. [11]

The Final Master Plan Report outlines planned changes to the park to be adopted, including the development of a trail and bike system. In addition, the Charlottesville Skateboard Park will be relocated to the southwest side of the park, where currently there is parking for the golf course. The golf course itself will remain open, but will be reverted to passive use by the end of 2016. Upon its reversion to passive use, portions of the golf course may also be used for the expansion of the botanical gardens.

The wading pool was closed permanently following the conclusion of the 2013 season.[12]

The city hired multinational design corporation Stantec and Line + Grade to construct a skate park concept and Baltimore-based Mahan-Rykiel to design the park plan. [6] The skate park and the pedestrian bridge were officially opened on April 20, 2019. [13]

External links

McIntire Park on City website

References

  1. Web. HISTORY OF WASHINGTON PARK, City of Charlottesville, retrieved March 23, 2016.
  2. Web. Tennis Courts To Be Lighted at McIntire, Staff Reports, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, August 9, 1940, retrieved August 9, 2016 from University of Virginia Library. Print. August 9, 1940 page 8.
  3. Web. Parkway interchange awaits result of federal lawsuit, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 26, 2012, retrieved February 28, 2012.
  4. Web. Judge Moon rules against Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park; Parkway Interchange to proceed, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 29, 2012, retrieved June 25, 2012.
  5. Web. Council briefed on city parks and recreation department plans, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 9, 2016, retrieved December 27, 2016.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Web. Public gives input on new McIntire Park design, Reuben Jones, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 4, 2014, retrieved December 27, 2014.
  7. Web. Fitness group sues Albemarle and Charlottesville over YMCA, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 13, 2010, retrieved January 12, 2011.
  8. Web. VA Supreme Court to hear YMCA case of fitness clubs vs. Albemarle, Brian Wheeler, Charlottesvillee Tomorrow, August 22, 2011, retrieved August 23, 2011.
  9. Web. Golf to leave McIntire sooner; Recreational fields still at issue, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, September 4, 2012, retrieved May 20, 2013.
  10. Web. McIntire Park Planning, official website, City of Charlottesville, retrieved 8 Dec 2011.
  11. Web. McIntire Park planning process continues, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 29, 2012, retrieved March 9, 2012.
  12. Web. A Community Guided Park Master Plan for McIntire Park East Side, Charlottesville Parks & Recreation, June 20, 2012, retrieved July 16, 2012.
  13. Web. Pedestrian railroad crossing in McIntire Park moving forward, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 26, 2017, retrieved December 27, 2017.