• 2005 – The Town of Firestone acquires the 252-acre Central Park property to serve as a central community hub.

• 2015–2020 – Early conceptual plans explore recreational, sports, and community uses for the park.

• 2021 – A comprehensive master plan is initiated with public engagement sessions and community meetings.

• 2023 – The Town conducts a National Community Survey to gather resident input on Central Park and other community priorities.

• 2024 – The Board hires P3 Advisors LLC to study Central Park and evaluate possible development options, including financial and feasibility analysis. Results of this study are not available.

• March 2025 – The Board transfers small parcels of land to Trustees through quitclaim deeds. The Board now qualifies as voters in creating the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The DDA is then established to guide future planning and development in the Central Firestone District.

• September 2025 – The Town announces a partnership and pre-planning agreement with the United Soccer League (USL) and Card & Associates.
  

In the 2023 National Community Survey, Firestone residents were asked to rate how much priority the Town should place on various amenities for Central Park. The results showed high or medium priority for:

• Amphitheater and community gathering space (≈ 70%)

• Courts for basketball, tennis, pickleball, or volleyball (≈ 71%)

• Restaurant/dining opportunities (≈ 75%)

In the spring of 2025, the Town’s latest survey again reflected strong public support for open space, parks, and trails as key priorities for Firestone’s future (firestoneco.gov).

These surveys consistently show that residents prioritize green, active, and communal amenities — gathering spaces, courts, open fields, and trails — over large-scale commercial or private developments.

Inbetween these two surveys, the Town engaged P3 Advisors, LLC to conduct a feasibility study for potential development at Central Park. The study was not put out for competitive bid, had a maximum compensation of $380,000, and, as of now, the results have not been publicly released.

In March 2025, the Board transferred tiny parcels of land to the individual Trustees through quitclaim deeds for $10 per parcel. These micro-parcels qualified the Firestone Board as landowners and therefore “voters” to create the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The Board’s micro-parcels aren’t in the park—they’re a legal loophole to give them voting power in the DDA. Control of the DDA lets them influence Central Park indirectly through funding and planning authority within the district, giving the Board full control over an entity that can direct municipal funds toward development in the Central Firestone District—without any input from residents.

The DDA centralizes decision-making, bypassing voter approval and placing authority for planning and funding entirely in the hands of the same Trustees who already serve on the Town Board.

Crucially, the DDA’s authority is tied to these individuals. If these Trustees are replaced or leave office, the DDA’s composition and control could shift, limiting its ability to act independently or redirect municipal funds without broader oversight.

The history of Central Park shows a consistent pattern: residents shared their vision for trails, open space, and gathering areas, yet key decisions were made without transparency or meaningful public input. The formation of the DDA gave the current Board control over planning and funding, bypassing voter approval and consolidating power.

Recall gives residents a real opportunity to remove the Town Board from the DDA, restore community oversight, ensure public spaces reflect the priorities of Firestone citizens, and reset decision-making so future development serves the community — not just the Board.