If you enjoy Four Peaks Park as much as I do you might want to think about a second item on the bond ballot coming out shortly.

The school district is faced with continuing maintenance costs for the old elementary building which is currently operating as the business hub. I have not seen the ballot yet, but I believe it asks if the school district may sell or lease the property. That probably would have flown under the radar if there hadn’t been a proposal to shoehorn 68 high-density housing units onto that corner.

Many of us have been supporting the public schools since Fountain Hills’ early beginnings. I really want Fountain Hills schools to succeed but not at the price of cannibalizing the only remaining space adjacent to that awesome community park along with the very first neighborhood ever built in Fountain Hills. The school district needs to come together with the town to do the logical thing, which is extend the park into that space. It may not be an income generator but at least the district will no longer be bleeding money for air conditioners, rotting roofs and plumbing.

Not losing cash reserves on a money pit is a net gain in the end. It took years of design work, public meetings and conceptual drawings to turn a neglected property – including a burned-out concession stand, an abandoned bus barn and sagging chain link fences – into one of the most awesome parks/playgrounds/ pickleball courts and dog walking strolls I have ever seen.

Let’s hit the pause button on just selling or leasing the building but instead find a way for the town and the Parks Department to work the same wonders with that small remaining space.