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College Park officials want to build a new park, but some City Council members worry the project is centered in a non-ideal area and could prove costly and unnecessary.

The city is pursuing $200,000 in state funding to help build the Hollywood Gateway Park, a 6,800-square-foot "eco park" that would include amenities such as edible plants and rain gardens to teach residents the importance of environmental friendliness.

The council voted 4-3 on Aug. 10 to pursue the funding, but dissenting members — Christine Nagle (Dist. 1), Jack Perry (Dist. 2) and Mark Cook (Dist. 3) — all expressed concern that the park is not necessary and that its location at the busy intersection of Route 1 and Edgewood Road would make it inaccessible to residents.

"Of the entire city, if there was one place I would never put a park, the intersection of Route 1 and Edgewood Road would probably be at the top of that list," Perry said. "To me, it's a complete and total waste of the city's time, effort and resources."

Park supporters said it would provide a scenic gateway into the city and would beautify the land, which currently features an 87-year-old house at 4703 Edgewood Road. The city bought the house for $346,000 last September by using state Program Open Space funding, and could demolish it to make way for the park.

"The people that drive into our community right now have to look at that property everyday," said Councilman Patrick Wojahn (Dist. 1). "And frankly, it's not a very attractive house, it's not a very attractive yard and not a lot can be done with that place."

City officials declined to estimate the cost of demolition, park design and construction, but said the city has about $85,000 already budgeted for the project. They said actual site planning would only begin after the city has secured necessary funds.

The $200,000 grant, which would come from the state Department of Housing and Community Development's Community Legacy program, would go toward design and construction.

The state will issue $4.25 million in Community Legacy grants this year, and the city must apply by Sept. 1. City planner Elisa Vitale said the state has not indicated when it will select and notify recipients.

While Nagle said the park is a novel idea that improves upon typical "benches-and-tables" parks, she said funding would be better used for parks or landscaping improvements in other areas of the city, including Rhode Island Avenue near the Hollywood Commercial District.

"I just don't think this location works," Nagle said. "It has really drained [city planners'] ability to look for other financing mechanisms for other areas of the city."

City planners said the park could likely be a restful area and educational tool.

City planning director Terry Schum said at an Aug. 4 council work session that future development along Route 1 could bring housing, businesses and pedestrian paths to the area, making the park far more accessible for residents.

"It would be a place where people could go and you could get information [on green technology]," Schum said. "This takes us in a direction that I think could be very exciting."