by KYW’s Steve Tawa
A Philadelphia orphan’s court judge has heard the last of the oral arguments this week on leasing 20 acres of Burholme Park in the Northeast, to allow Fox Chase Cancer Center to expand. A ruling is expected in the next 30 days.
The city's petition to Judge John Herron to convert dedicated parkland for private development violates the more than 100-year-old will of Robert Ryerss, according to lawyer Sam Stretton, representing a group of neighbors:
“It becomes very tempting to political municipal leaders to sell land for short term economic gains, with long term recreational and environmental loss.”
Fox Chase has said it's looked at options that included moving elsewhere. The lawyer representing Fox Chase, Amy Ginensky, says Fox Chase's work in researching and treating cancer is an important benefit to the city:
“Our courts and legislatures have realized that we cannot be bound by people's wills forever, and times and circumstances necessitate changes.”
Judge Herron played devil's advocate in asking pointed questions to both sides, to help him make a decision on the future of Burholme Park.
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