President Donald Trump’s proposed National Garden of American Heroes could end up in Greenbelt.
In a survey posted online, Greenbelt Mayor Colin Byrd said that he had learned that Greenbelt National Park is one of several locations for the proposed statuary and asked for residents’ feedback.
“It has come to my attention that one of the locations that the Department is most strongly considering is Greenbelt Park, which is the national park on Greenbelt Road across the street from TGI Friday’s and Capitol Cadillac,” he wrote.
At a town hall meeting on the subject, Byrd said that he was opposed to the idea and hoped that the proposal would either be tied up in courts or undone by the next president, according to Greenbelt Online.
Proposed in an executive order on July 3, the National Garden would feature 31 statues of famous Americans ranging from Harriet Tubman to Antonin Scalia. It does not include Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose New Deal created the town of Greenbelt.
Created in 1950, the 1,176-acre national park features a hiking trail, picnic areas and a small playground.
I am strongly opposed to putting it in Greenbelt Park. Greenbelt Park is a rare green space inside the Capital Beltway. Putting in a statuary garden would diminish its worth as a quiet, contemplative place for observing nature.
No way should there be a statuary park in Greenbelt, the only statue worthy of being there is FDR and even he would oppose that!