From: Khara Tapia
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item 15.1
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 5:29:10 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council,
I am writing to express my support for Agenda Item 15.1 and the proposal to install a
turf field at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Reliable access to fields is
essential for youth sports in Santa Rosa, and grass
fields are often closed during the winter months when many programs are still active. Additional turf fields would provide safe, consistent playing space for local kids and help support the many families and community organizations that rely on our parks.
Thank you for supporting opportunities that keep Santa Rosa youth active, healthy,
and engaged through sports.
Sincerely,
Khara Tapia
Parent of players at Santa Rosa United Club
From: William Hitchcock
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item 15.1
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 7:04:38 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council,
I am writing to express my support for Agenda Item 15.1 and the proposal to install a turf field at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Reliable access to fields is essential for youth sports in Santa Rosa, and grass fields are often closed during the winter months when many programs are still active. Additional turf fields would provide safe, consistent playing space for local kids and help support the many families and community organizations that rely on our parks.
Thank you for supporting opportunities that keep Santa Rosa youth active, healthy, and engaged through sports.
Sincerely,
William Hitchcock, Santa Rosa Resident
From: Benjamin Goldstein
To: Stapp, Mark; Okrepkie, Jeff; Rogers, Natalie; Fleming, Victoria; MacDonald, Dianna; Banuelos, Caroline; Alvarez, Eddie; City Council Public Comments; CityCouncilListPublic Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Synthetic Turf Soccer Fields at MLK Park and throughout the City Santa Rosa--Comment on City Council Board Item 15.1 Tuesday 3/10/2026
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 9:14:54 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council Members,
I currently serve as President of Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League Board of Directors. We support soccer activities for 2,600 kids and families in our city. You recently received a letter from my colleague Tommy Isachsen on behalf of the Santa Rosa Youth Soccer League Board in strong support of the City of Santa Rosa installing lighter synthetic turf sports fields at MLK Park and around other city parks.
But tonight I’m writing to you as a coach and a dad.
I’ve seen first hand the life changing impact that youth soccer can have on kids. I’ve seen kids from difficult homes or socioeconomic backgrounds find joy and purpose on the soccer field.
I’ve seen kids with obesity or other health issues get fit because they are playing soccer with their friends. And I’ve seen soccer provide stability and a safe activity for kids that were heading towards alcohol or drugs or dropping out of school.
It’s not hyperbole to say soccer has saved kids' lives in Santa Rosa.
We desperately need lighted synthetic turf fields for youth soccer so we can play soccer year round. Right now the season ends in November and doesn’t start again until mid-March, with additional closures anytime it rains. We’re without fields for over 30% of the year.
There are myriad economic and other reasons why synthetic turf fields are good for the City of Santa Rosa but tonight I just want to focus on your ability to provide a safe, healthy, community sports activity for our kids all year round.
I urge the Council to approve synthetic turf fields at MLK Park (and other City parks) for the health and wellbeing of thousands of kids in Santa Rosa.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Goldstein
From: Monika Zapata
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Turf field at MLK park
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 11:42:24 PM
To Whom it may concern:
Please consider installing a turf field at MLK. It would allow all ages to enjoy the field playing sports year round. Our family has benefited from the turf style fields because they play soccer and baseball year round. Thank you for allowing the benefits of all season turf outweigh the disadvantages. The other benefit to the field is less water pooling which meand less harmful bugs like mosquitos and ticks.
Thanks for considering,
Monika Zapata
From: Ivonne Carrasco Dresser
To: CityCouncilListPublic; [email protected]
Cc: Ivonne Carrasco Dresser; Brian Dresser
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item 15.1 for Martin Luther King Jr Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7:42:06 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council,
I am writing to express my support for Agenda Item 15.1 and the proposal to install a turf field at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Reliable access to fields is essential for youth sports in Santa Rosa, and grass fields are often closed during the winter months when many programs are still active. Additional turf fields would provide safe, consistent playing space for local kids and help support the many families and community organizations that rely on our parks.
Thank you for supporting opportunities that keep Santa Rosa youth active, healthy, and engaged through sports.
Sincerely,
Brian and Ivonne Dresser
From: Maribel Ramirez
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Agenda Item 15.1
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 3:07:07 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council,
I am writing to express my support for Agenda Item 15.1 and the proposal to install a turf field at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Reliable access to fields is essential for youth sports in Santa Rosa, and grass fields are often closed during the winter months when many programs are still active.
Additional turf fields would provide safe, consistent playing space for local kids and help support the many families and community organizations that rely on our parks.
Thank you for supporting opportunities that keep Santa Rosa youth active, healthy, and engaged through sports.
Sincerely,
Maribel Ramirez
Santa Rosa resident and soccer mom
From: Angie Cerretani
To: City Council Public Comments; CityCouncilListPublic Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda 15.1
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 3:07:11 PM
I am writing to express my support for Agenda Item 15.1 and the proposal to install a turf field at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Santa Rosa’s grass fields are often closed during the winter months, leaving many youth sports programs without reliable places to practice or play. Sports like soccer and lacrosse are now played year-round, and limited field access makes it difficult for many kids to stay involved.
Installing a turf field would provide consistent, year-round access to safe playing space for local youth and community programs. Youth sports help kids stay active, build teamwork and discipline, and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Many neighboring communities and local high schools already utilize turf fields to support their student-athletes. Moving forward with this project would help ensure Santa Rosa’s youth have the same opportunities.
Thank you for your time and for considering the needs of the many families and young athletes who rely on our community’s parks and fields.
Angie Cerretani