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Letter to the editor

Neighbors say fence goes too far

Largo needs to stop encroachment on Bonner park, the city counters.

By KAMEEL STANLEY
Published July 6, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Ted McLaren] The property of John Bonner Nature Park in Largo (foreground) sits against the property of local homeowners (background). Some of the vegetation in the area adjacent to the homes was recently removed.

LARGO - For years, the people who live in the cluster of homes at the end of Valentine Lane have enjoyed the benefits of having John R. Bonner Nature Park in their backyards.

Since the 1980s, homeowners have had unrestricted access to the 18-acre nature park, which butts up to about four homes at the corner of 143rd Street and Valentine Lane.

But during that time, Largo officials say, residents also have steadily encroached on park land by putting in a basketball court, playground equipment or landscaping.

Now, in an effort to clearly define the property line, the city plans to erect a fence. Neighbors have protested, complaining that the fence would be ugly, but the city says it has little choice.

"They were mowing, doing landscaping ... It's to the point where we really do have to take back our property, " said Joan Byrne, director of the city's recreation, parks and arts department. "None of it's their property. It's always been city property."

The city started looking into the issue about a month ago after getting complaints a resident's dog had run up on people strolling the park's nature trails, said acting City Manager Norton Craig.

After looking into the problem and finding out about the encroachment, Craig decided on putting up the fence.

One backyard has been extended into the park by several feet and includes playground equipment and a fence that's all on park property, city officials say.

"We just felt with the dog situation and the encroachment that we needed to survey the property, " Craig said.

Residents, however, aren't happy with the city's plans, saying the fence would be ugly.

"Nobody wants it, " said Reinhard Opitz, who last month bought the house at 14201 Valentine Trail. "We have this view and to put a 6-foot chain-link fence up, it'd be a shame."

Some residents even protested the fence at this week's City Commission meeting, saying they have spent years beautifying the area behind their homes, which has been invaded by exotic plants.

Stephen Zahn of 14301 Valentine Trail told commissioners Tuesday night that he spent $10, 000 planting new oak trees behind his house.

Byrne said the fence is necessary because the encroachment is not fair to the public who use the park.

"It's most unfortunate that they assumed they could encroach on the property, but it was never rightfully theirs, " Byrne said. "They wouldn't do that to their neighbors. We're they're neighbors."

The city is currently making preparations to have another property survey done. After that, Craig said he'll take the issue back to the City Commission for future action.

Opitz said he'd like to see a compromise.

He said knew where the property line was when he bought the place and had no intention of doing anything with it.

"We're not trying to be confrontational with the city, " Opitz said.

"I'm not interested in using their property. I just want to look at it without a fence."

Kameel Stanley can be reached at kstanley@sptimes.com or 445-4158.

[Last modified July 5, 2007, 20:28:02]