Burt Salk, a resident of Haciendas of Mission Hills and past president of the Astronomy Club, proposed the development of a National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) tribute walk to supervisors at the Sumter Landing Community Development District Board Meeting on Thursday morning. The Astronomy Club, in conjunction with the Villages Woodshop, proposed development of a 1,000-ft stretch southbound on Morse Boulevard, near the round-about that precedes the bridge to Lake Sumter Landing.
The group presented preliminary sketches of the walkway, and indicated that the location near Lake Sumter Landing, which the group considers the center of The Villages, would be of great benefit to Villagers both north and south of County Road 466. Supervisors had many questions on the proposal, including and whether or not separate locations had been scouted.
Supervisor Terry Upton wondered it that placement of this walkway near such a prominent community landmark would set a dangerous precedent for group projects in The Villages.
“We can’t say yes to one, and no to the 1,999 others that may ask,” said Upton of the groups that might follow suit if the board were to approve the walkway in the given location.
Staff recommended Paradise Park B as an alternative option, and requested that other locations be scouted as well.
“This is the 5th and Main of The Villages” said Supervisor Joe Nisbett on the placement en route to Lake Sumter Landing.
Although all of the supervisors were in agreement that a walkway of this nature might be an interesting addition to The Villages, the location and placement along the heavily-trafficked area was of concern.
The Astronomy Club indicated that the proposed structure would include plaques delineating our solar system, as well as some of the the history of our country’s space program. The matter ended with a suggestion to the Astronomy Club to find additional, alternative locations for the proposed walkway.