BELFAST — If City Hall adheres to the will of the people, the former Penobscot Poultry Co. site will remain as open space.

That was the consensus that emerged from last week’s public meeting by the Task Force 2000. The meeting was called to gauge the feelings of the public. Residents responded in a big way, according to TF-2000 Chairman Albert Douglas.

“Basically, the gist of it was that they want to see it stays as open space. Just leave it as it is,” Douglas said Tuesday. “It confirmed the poll we took during last year’s election.”

The results of the Election Day poll found 682 voters favoring a park, followed closely by 639 supporting a recreation center. More than 1,400 registered voters participated in the poll.

The fate of the property has been a major topic of discussion around town from the moment MBNA New England gave the city $125,000 to purchase and remove the rundown rodent-infested chicken processing plant. The rubble was shipped to a disposal area far beyond the city limits.

Following the demolition, the 2-acre site was graded and seeded. The new patch of green lures scores of residents daily. Many pause to walk gingerly over the new lawn. Others just gape at the majestic view that has now opened across the bay.

“The other night I drove by there and saw a women with two little kids out there playing,” recalled City Councilor Walter Ash. “It made me feel good. I think it would be nice for people living in the downtown to have some open space to go to.”

Ash’s support for green space is critical because the City Council will make the final decision regarding the fate of the parcel. Douglas said his committee planned to hold another public hearing before submitting its recommendations to the council. Ash suggested that if the council decided to do otherwise, they should at least leave the site open for a couple of years.

“I think time is on our side,” Ash said. “What’s the hurry to commit to anything. This year I’d like to see some of the businesses — like they did in Camden — put in a few benches so people can go down there and sit and just enjoy it while we figure it out.”

Douglas said more than 160 residents attended the meeting at Troy Howard Middle School. They split into groups and when they came back together, keeping the site open was what they wanted, he said. As for himself, Douglas said he hopes the council does not act in haste.

“If something is going to happen, I hope they give the people time to adjust to the site,” Douglas said. “It’s such a good looking site. I’m with the people who were born here, have been here and lived here for years and years and are saying, `Let’s slow down, let’s not be pushed or go too fast.’ ”