Symphony Woods/Merriweather Post Pavilion

Symphony Woods has the potential to become Columbia's “Central Park." It is important to complete Columbia’s new Downtown in a manner that supports and enhances this use of Symphony Woods.

We strongly endorse the “Save Merriweather” movement and encourage a continuing commitment to maintaining its place in Columbia. The Gehry-designed Merriweather Post Pavilion, with its Balanchine-inspired stage, should be acquired by the County and operated by a private firm under a long-term contract.

We believe that Merriweather’s future is endangered by the County’s current proposal to construct residential towers in the Crescent area. There is no way that concert sound can be attenuated sufficiently to forestall complaints by residents whose units would face the park. We believe it would only be a matter of time before pressure from residents would cause the closing of this East Coast gem.