Prairie Fire Journal

In an area known for its featureless landscape, Lubbock's McKenzie Park has always been an exception. Located in the shallow trough of the Yellowhouse Canyon, the area has been an oasis used by humans for thousands of years. Unfortunately, for decades the park has suffered under mismanagement, neglect, and ad hoc development by the City of Lubbock. Now the PETA-philes in the city want to build a new animal shelter in McKenzie Park and further degrade this jewel of nature.

According to the city, Lubbock wants to build a more inviting center for animal adoptions as an alternative to euthanizing the animals. A very laudable goal, but I fail to see why it's necessary to locate it in a recreational area. If you want an "inviting" animal shelter that will draw more potential adopters of animals, then put a spiffy landscaped facility in southwest Lubbock along newly-developed Milwaukee Avenue. One thing is definitely certain, it doesn't belong in any of the city's parks. Period!