SYCAMORE | Sycamore residents may get a new place to play but council members pondered how to make an affordable, easy access point.

On Monday night, the council debated elements of a proposed park in the Townsend Woods subdivision in Sycamore. Access to the park caused the most debate among council members. The council said they wanted a viable entrypoint to the park rather than a temporary solution.

“It has been questioned what kind of park this is going to be,” 4th Ward Alderman Terry Kessler said. “That’s the park’s decision. However, access to that park is critical to the success of having a park for residents in that area.”

Kessler questioned the developer’s reliability in providing residents with an adequate entrance. She said the relationship between the city and developer has not always been a pleasant one, and she brought up past issues regarding matters of lights and sidewalks.

“How do we know with this past history that this developer will give citizens what they want, and not just a strip of land that gets you there?” Kessler said.

Others shared Kessler’s concerns.

“As it stands, I don’t plan to vote in favor of it,” said 1st Ward Alderman Alan Bauer. “If we’re going to provide sewer and water, they should be in the city. Why is the city being called now to sweeten the deal? I think 100 percent of the cost should be born by the developer.”

The council amended the ordinance to set boundaries for the developer to follow.

“It was and still remains the responsibility of the park and developer to come together on this,” said Sycamore mayor Ken Mundy. “This park could be a vast improvement to an area that has a lot of potential.”

The vote was 7 to 1 with Bauer dissenting.