I read about the city’s response to the Orchard Park Lawsuit and thought “who are they trying to kid?”

I’m 61 years old. I grew up one block — and my mother grew up a half block — from the park. It was always called Orchard Park.

My friends and I played baseball in the lower and upper part of the park. We played basketball there, where the court was dirt and rocks. We also played football.

The park at one time had swing sets in both the upper and lower part. It had a sliding board and a fireman’s pole to slide down. It also had pull-up bars. At one time it had a pavilion with picnic tables. The city even assigned a person for activities at the park in the summer. Yes, at one time the city recognized the park as a city park. The city even cut the grass.

Even then the city at times neglected the park — not cutting the grass, no activities director and removing the pavilion and picnic tables.

The one response from the city in their argument was seldom use of the playground equipment. The city left the park with virtually nothing.

Despite the city trying to claim it’s not a park, history shows that the city has maintained it as a park for decades. The city improved other parks that weren’t used much. They can do that to Orchard Park. The park at Cherry Grove is a good example. The city can do better.

Daniel Johnson

Altoona