A Walk in Buckingham Pond Park, Wednesday, November 29, 2006. The park continues to deteriorate. More litter and graffiti are evident. The children's play area at Berkshire, N side of pond is not safe from out of control, speeding vehicles. The wooden posts strung together by nylon line, look ok, but would not prevent a vehicle from plowing through the children's play area. A more secure metal guard rail or stone wall are needed to prevent a tragic event here. Observe the speeding traffic along Berkshire andd take particular note of the split rail fence, corner of Davis, with missing posts and rails, the yellow gas pipline marker lying on its side, a few yards to the East on Berkshire and the damaged green light pole near the children's play area; all of which have been hit and damaged by out of control vehicles . All of the problems outlined in previous posts. Nov 14 and Oct 12, on this site remain unaddressed. With homeowners in this neighborhood facing property revaluation to be announced March 1, 2007, one has cause to wonder why Buckingham Pond Park is not being properly maintained and improved. Joe Sullivan 438 5230

Park Traverse Nov 14, 06. The trees have lost their leaves. Considerable litter evident particularly along Rafts Way, East ends of main and holding ponds. Pathways have not be made safe by adding more gravel where clay, silt and water accumulate, creating fall hazards for walkers. These conditions will only be aggravated by ice and snow in winter. Stakes marking sites of improved park lighting along Milner Ave bridge section are beginning to disappear. Vines that are strangling trees and underbrush competing with growth of young trees, need to be cleared away. This is the time of year to do this, when the problems are clearly visible. Graffiti and damaged guard rail, Berkshire at Euclid, South side of pond, have not been addressed. Geese and duck droppings create an odor, and a health hazard in the vicinity of the children's play area and picnic areas, North side of park at foot of Colonial. Post some notices warning people not to feed the geese and ducks. Bird welfare results in a larger bird population that winters over creating the excessive droppings problem. The water level of the ponds are at a high point. Creating shoreline berms of clean fill and planting water tolerant plants like Red Dogwood will stabilize the shore areas and add brilliant winter color. If anyone reading this report would like to see some or all of the above improvements; contact Mayor Jennings and tell him so. Tel 434 5100. City Hall, Albany, NY 12207, or tune in the Mayor's WROW 590 AM Radio Show, Fridays, 9-10 AM and tell him so. Call in number is 476 5959. Joe Sullivan