Meet the Green Space Gals
Stacy Davis Reporting
Meet the Green Space Gals
Oct 12, 2005, 01:02 AM EDT
In this story, you're going to meet four Hampton women who together are proving you can change the course of government.
They've managed to convince the city of Hampton to hold off on a major development project near one of the last prime pieces of waterfront in Hampton.
They're called the "Green Space Gals" and we caught up with them near the Bark Park at Buckroe Beach, a special area where pet owners can let their dogs run free and socialize with other hounds.
They were in the middle of a song.
"From Old Point Comfort Rd to Buckroe Avenue, this land was made for me and you., ha, ha, ha," they laughed.
These four women are united in song, united in laughter, and united in their hometown vision.
Sporting matching green ribbons, you might think these ladies were life-long friends, but before this year, they were strangers.
"Sandra Canepa, Trish Ferraro, Cecile Trevathan, we became this fearsome four some of the Green Space Gals, but I didn't know them," said Phyllis Flanders.
So what would bring four strangers together?
A Hampton city plan to build condos and homes at Buckroe Beach. That development would displace the dog park and two large lots near the beach front.
"If you put condos here you're going to block off the final view that we have of the Chesapeake Bay," said Ferraro.
The Green Space Gals have learned they aren't alone in their desire to preserve open green areas. 8, 277 people signed a petition to stop the development. Hundreds of them packed a Tuesday night meeting to ask questions about the Buckroe Master Plan which city council approved in March to guide development in the city.
"Everybody has stories of cities ruining their waterfronts with gated communities and multi-condos," said Canepa. "We're trying to prevent that from happening in Hampton."
Some say the development will revitalize Buckroe, increasing home ownership and perhaps pushing down crime in the area. The Green Space Gals say they're not opposed to development or change, they just want responsible change and would be open to seeing things like a locally-owned seafood restaurant, an ice-cream parlor or a coffee shop line the green space. They aren't giving up until they convince the City Council to re-think a condominium complex.
"I live very close and if they build condos here I'm going to have to drive by them everyday and I'm not going to be able to do that if I don't know I did what I could to stop it," said Trevathan.
The city collected hundreds of surveys Tuesday on the Buckroe development plan. The Green Space Gals will formally present their petition at the first November City Council meeting. Check out their website at http://www.buckroebeach.org .
WTKR TV 3
