Ronald L. Wenda: Don’t sell off Umstead State Park

Regarding the May 29 news article “Land swap proposed”: I question the motives behind the proposed land swap that would take 234 acres away from Umstead State Park and essentially make those acres available for developers and, it seems, at bargain prices per acre.

Umstead State Park is an irreplaceable public, wooded, recreational park set in the center of our growing urban area. The need to preserve and protect it becomes more obvious and necessary as development increases on its boundaries and the population of the urban area that it serves increases.

I recall that former Republican Gov. James G. Martin, who served from 1985 to 1993, wanted to sell all of Umstead State Park. But he had to recant due to the public outcry.

Now it seems the Republican leaders in the North Carolina Senate have a new strategy to give away Umstead State Park to their rich contributors. Give it away in small parcels.

This story was originally published June 8, 2015 at 6:01 PM with the headline "Ronald L. Wenda: Don’t sell off Umstead State Park."