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PRAB File Matenal
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
, „ September 14, 2000
MEMORANDUM
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To: Members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Boazd
From: Chns Dropinski, Director
Re: Items from the Director
Pleasant View Issues
Staff who schedule and maintazn the Pleasant Vtew fields aze conhnumg to expenence vanous issues
with drverse groups wanUng to use the fields. The followmg is a bnef summary of the issues that
staffs are expenencmg•
1 Use without a pernut --Staff and other pazd user groups are expenencmg conflicts with the
general pubhc usmg the fields for other achvihes (runnmg, sleddmg, x-country skimg, shootang
off fireworks, etc). The groups who pay to use the fields feel it is unfair to let others use without
paymg, especially when it is for an unauthonzed uses that could potenually damage the fields
and leave them unsafe for soccer.
2. Frost Damaee --Dunng the fall and spnng, staff keeps the front gate locked until8 30 a.m.
mosdy because of frost, but also to be consistent with openmg times regazdless of frost. There
are issues associated wrth the days that frost does not clear unhl later m the mornmg People still
pazk on 47`" Street and walk m, causmg a control problem for staf£ Frost damage is caused by
walkmg, rumm~g, dogs, bikes etc
3 Vandalism vandals aze able to access the buildmg and onto the fields by walking up the bike
path or dnvmg from Palo or Kalnua. Staff spent $15,000 on vandahsm repair in 1999.
4 Does - Owners or guazdians aze not pickmg up after their dogs, wluch leaves unsafe and
unhealthful playmg condi[ions for users. There also have been circumstances where dogs have
run onto the fields dunng games and have occasionally caused harm to mdividuals dunng games.
Dog users mclude those walkmg dogs on and off leashes, ttuowmg Fnsbee's/balls for dogs
across fields, trumng dogs. Muntenance and Recreation staffs are bemg placed m a
confrontadonal role with citizens and aze not the enforcement agency for ammals. The animal
control enforcement officers patrol penodically, but not constanfly.
5 BottlesBikes/Alcohol -None are allowed on the fields cunently, but mazn[enance staff find
damage done by bikes, and remaznders of bottles, alcohol use.
6 Cars locked m parking lot after hours -Some users leave their cars parked m the lot after
games have concluded and end up getting locked in overnight. Oftenttmes, those locked m dnve
up the stdewalk and over the benned area at the gate, wtuch causes damage to turf areas.
Staff is explonng vanous opttons [o solve some of these issues. Some of the solutions being
explored further include the possibility of fencing m the fields, sirnilar to what is done at Stazio and
Mapleton Ballfields, working with Open Space Department to establish a fenced dog park on the east
side of 4Ts Street, and establistung a parameter walkmg/joggmg path Staff will be meeting with
area residents and user groups to detenrune other solutions. Staff may be bnngmg back a
recommendation to the Board this fall. If any members of the Boazd have further questions, please
contact Doug Hawthorne or Linda Kotowski.
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