​Defending art and heritage at Arbor Park

There’s still time for community members in Grand Forks to prepare for the June 20th vote that will determine the fate of Arbor Park. Development groups have proposed construction of new condominium and commercial buildings within the park space, while others are staunchly opposed to altering one of the city’s iconic green spaces.

Arbor Park lies on South 4th Street in downtown Grand Forks, and was created from 2000 to 2001, after the flood of 1997. The park includes many sculptures contributed by local artists. One artist involved with the park, who is opposed to its redevelopment, is Adam Kemp. One reason that Kemp believes the park is important for its historical significance. It represents the city’s ability to rise back up in the face of disaster.

“Arbor Park is part of the traded core of downtown,” said Kemp. “It was created in part by the flood of ‘97 and the fire. It represents the direction we try to take now after we built downtown. It’s one of the largest public park installations we have in this part of the state, and it’s the only sculpture garden downtown.”

Kemp also believes Arbor Park is important due to its function as a place of healing for people that need it.

“Many people who haven’t necessarily made the best choices in life use the park to contemplate how to make a better choice. It’s enjoyed by many people. People regard it as a good part of the Grand Forks neighborhood, not just the downtown neighborhood. One of the things that doesn’t get talked about is that people know it’s part of Grand Forks and downtown. In other words, as a work of art, it’s been successful, because it’s reached out to people.”

Another reason for not placing new development in the park is the fact that it’s fully paid for. Kemp and others are not against development in Grand Forks, they just want to see it done in other areas. The groups in favor of the park see it already as a part of downtown, and that new buildings can be constructed around the park.

“It’s also, important,” said Kemp, “at a time when all these people are talking about public art, public this, public that--it’s paid for. We own it. The citizens of the town, or technically speaking the city as a corporation, owns it. It was essentially gifted to the community after the flood. As far as development goes, we regard it as part of downtown development. I don’t agree with the narrative of ‘development’ just being buildings.”

The issue currently faced in Grand Forks is, in a way, opposite that of Fargo-Moorhead. Whereas Grand Forks has green spaces that are coming under threat from the construction of new buildings, Fargo-Moorhead suffers from expansion focused solely on buildings, and not enough effort put toward creating new green spaces to compensate for the growth. It’s an issue of balance; to prevent the burgeoning city from totally overcoming nature, installations like Arbor Park are necessary.

“We’re the opposite end,” said Kemp, “We’ve got these green spaces, which we’re beginning to take for granted as an amenity, and my point to all the downtown groups is that we’ve got these unique parks which are one installation, which you are ignoring. If you saw them anywhere else, you’d be going, ‘Oh, we should have that!’”

It’s important to consider that developing over Arbor Park, an area that is free to use, free of charge, excludes those groups who are unable to afford high-end apartments and condos.

“It’s enjoyed by many different people with different incomes,” said Kemp, “and it should be kept as such. If downtown development focuses on one income group, you just end up with high-end blight. Not everyone makes $200,000 a year, and you can’t pretend that they do.”

The vote for Arbor Park is due to take place on Tuesday, June 20. UND students who are not in town at that time can request an application for an absentee ballot at 701-780-8200. Anyone not a part of the Grand Forks community and unable to vote in the election can still lend their support by contacting city officials.

“It’s a work of art enjoyed by many,” said Kemp, “that is in danger of being destroyed to build condos for a few. That’s not my definition of vibrancy by any standard.”

Arbor Park has helped to improve many lives. It’s time for the people to help Arbor Park in return.