Friday evening just after 7, I counted four people using Propst Park. Three of them were teenaged boys sharing two motor scooters. The fourth was 73-year-old Gary Dent who was enjoying the dog park with his large, energetic and extremely protective German shepherd, Maxx.

The two dog parks (one for large dogs and one for smaller dogs) occupy a small rise that offers a sweeping view of about half a dozen empty ballfields.

Normally the frisbee golf course is busy.

A 100-plus acre park with four patrons.

Granted it was hot and late in the day, only a snapshot.

After visiting with Dent, I drove to the soccer park in Burns Bottom. By now it was near the end of the day.

About eight to 10 cars were scattered around the park. Patrons were mostly walking. A father and his young daughter were headed to the playground.

Six cars were parked at the old boat landing, which for many serves as the starting point of the Riverwalk.

I expect the area would be more crowded were the pedestrian bridge open to the public.

And we want to throw $4 million into Propst Park for ballfields that are used two, maybe three months of the year?

We have one of those rare opportunities to do something imaginative, visionary, something that will provide year-round benefits for a broad cross-section of our citizens, as do the Riverwalk and soccer parks.

Yet, what do we get from our elected leaders? A tired, bankrupt idea that does little to serve the broad constituency these other parks have enjoyed.

The county is building a $12 million facility. City kids can play baseball there.

Build a state-of-the-art skateboard park, pickleball courts, extensive nature/walking trails.

A rich trove of fossils has been found on the banks of the Luxapallila at the east side of the park. The possibilities are many.

The majority of our city council has it in their heads their constituency is best served by refurbishing baseball fields. I wish someone would tell them otherwise.

It’s not too late to hit “pause” and give this further thought.

Birney Imes

Columbus

Editor’s note: The writer is the former publisher of The Dispatch.

Birney Imes III is the immediate past publisher of The Dispatch.