Posted on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 13:06 — by danielopez
Today, Monday, May 19th, the City Council will vote on a proposal almost nobody knows about -- A proposal to destroy City Park as we know it (chop down trees) and create a Sports complex. That would be completely fenced and it is even being discussed to charge a fee to gain entrance. Such a dramatic change in City Park requires much more public input and outreach than what the City has done(almost no one knew about this and only about 5-6 people were at their "community meetings").
What do you think?
Either way come in to the City Council Meeting (City Hall) May 19th at 7pm BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 28
I hear that a fence will be put up around the park to keep out the riffraff (ie. you and me) and there will be a price for admission. Parents and supporters of organized leagues say the fence will keep out the druggies and homeless who sometimes camp out there and do their recreation there. The problem is not that the druggies and homeless are using the park for other things besides baseball or soccer, the problem is illegal drug use and no place in town for homeless men and women. A fence will just move the problem down the street ... maybe the Vidrio project? Wouldn't that be grand? What then? Build a fence around downtown? The funny thing is the park is only half a block from the police station. Does this mean our men and women in blue can't control a situation only half a block from the station? What does that say about their ability to take care of the rest of the city? I have no doubt they are doing their best and their ranks are stretched thin what with gangs and dealers and speeders. Personally, I think a public park should stay public .. for ALL the public, not just those who play organized soccer or baseball. What about the frisbee throwers among us? What about the pick-up games of basketball. Where will the Parkside kids go? Do they have to join a league in order to use the park right next door? The city should be addressing the real problems not the symptoms.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
I would like the park open for public but unfortunately it is a haven for criminal ghetto activities. I took my little 8 year old sister there a couple of times on a weekday and in the parking lot I passed by a car with two people smoking marijuana and getting it on sexually, in broad daylight. Also high school kids skipping school and loitering there. When we got to the picnic table areas, there were scattered broken bottle glass everywhere and bums drinking alcohol and urinating in public. The city needs to do whatever it takes to rid of these bad elements that plagues the park, and if these etiquitless people decide to move their ugly activities down town, atleast its in the open where they can be easily picked off unlike city park where its like a labyrinth hidden inside giant eucalyptus trees. I trust the city's judgement in handling the park, like I say whatever it takes.