From: SUSAN HIGGINS
To: Kelly Orta
Cc: Eleanor Manzano
Subject: Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting of January 12, 2022 Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022 10:14:21 AM
CAUTION: Email is from an external source; Stop, Look, and Think before opening attachments or links.
Hi Kelly - this is what I was going to say during the meeting last night. I would appreciate my words becoming part of the public record. For whatever reason, I was not called upon to speak. I could not unmute my phone. Hopefully, this will not happen again.
Thank you.
Susan Higgins
January 12, 2022
Redondo Beach Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting
Good evening Commissioners and Kelly. This is Susan Higgins, a long term Redondo Beach resident and avid pickleball player. My email contained in the Blue Folder states my recommendation and request for the two most viable, feasible pickleball court locations - which are 4 dedicated pickleball courts at Alta Vista Park in South Redondo (and NOT the 5th court) and 6 dedicated pickleball courts at Aviation Park in North Redondo.
Relative to Alta Vista, noise mitigation measures are available as stated in my email.
I am speaking now to address the other locations identified in the architects’ Report as to why they are not being considered or recommended by me or other pickleball players in my group.
This is based on my experience and knowledge gained from working with the pickleball community and the respective cities in establishing courts in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
Anderson Park - Not recommended - it is surrounded by residences and the noise would definitely be a factor. When this location came up a few years ago, the residents complained to the City. Additionally, this layout would not give the pickleball players the much needed dedicated pickleball courts. There would be an impact to tennis and basketball players.
Perry Park - Not a high priority because restriping of the basketball courts does not give the pickleball players the much needed dedicated pickleball courts. Striping of the basketball courts could be in addition to 6 dedicated courts at Aviation Park. Days and hours could be arranged between pickleball and basketball for court time. It would give the Redondo residents an alternate place to play.
Franklin Park - Not recommended - it also is surrounded by residences and the school. The noise from 6 pickleball courts would definitely be a factor. Additionally, the proposed layout results in a hodge podge of restriping basketball courts and in a separate area the construction of 4 pickleball courts. It is understood that this arrangement would significantly alter the layout of Franklin Park and would not be in the best interests of the pickleball players, the school or the nearby residents.
Perry Allison Playfield - Not recommended. It was surprising as to why this playfield was even considered. It’s a small grass lot covered with trees and sits right next to residential homes. Clearly noise would be a factor and there is no parking and a single court would not be worth spending the time or money.
Dominguez Park - Agree with the architects - definitely Not recommended. The landfill and power lines are problematic. It should be eliminated from any consideration.
The rest of my comments are provided in my email to Kelly. The final version is in Blue Folder No. 2.
Thank you for allowing me to input.