From: Kari Svanstrom
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Fwd: Ives Park Project
Date: Monday, January 31, 2022 8:09:05 PM
Kari Svanstrom
Planning Director
From: Mario Fernandez
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2022 7:48:53 PM
To: Kari Svanstrom <[email protected]>
Subject: Ives Park Project
Hi Kari Svanstrom,
Can you please forward this to the current planning commision members. Thank you! Dear Planning Commision Members,
My name is Mario Fernandez and I am current resident in Sebastopol. I have lived here (current Washington Avenue) for 25 years. I am a current head basketball girls JV coach at West County High School.
It has come to my attention that there are plans made for a change/upgrade to Ives Park. I am completely happy that this change/upgrade is happening in our town. I did notice though on option “C” that involves the removal of Polley Field (Little League Field). I do strongly oppose this choice. The field has been in Sebastopol for many years having young kids played on. I also play on this field but not in little league but for the Sebastopol Co-Ed Softball League. I am also one of the umpires for this league of co-ed softball and a player on other nights. The Sebastopol Co-Ed has been around for many years. It has also helped the Little League by paying them a fee to use the field and the lights. The lights are also an important key to this field as kids get to experience playing under the lights. In addition the Sebastopol Co-Ed softball league plays under the lights as most adults work during the day. Being an umpire I often find a lot of local neighbors walking through and asking about the league and even sitting in the stands watching even though they don’t know anyone playing.
I have noticed that Ives Park is outdated and in need of an upgrade. Both options “A” & “B” look go but option “C” I think is not a good choice. I like the idea of an event space, with that being said, I think a compromise can be made on expanding the park with the use of Polley Field. I propose that a sliding gate be made on the right field side near the bathrooms for included use of an event space on polley field when baseball and softball are in the off season. I do not recommend any vehicles drive on the field as they will damage the field/sprinklers etc.
The use of tents/small food carts chairs can be used on the field and grass. This can even be done in the evening with the use of the lights of the field (Night concerts, movie nights?) The creek is in need of help also. I do miss seeing the ducks that used to live in the small pond.
The playground could use an upgrade as well.
I hope you consider keeping the field and the lights and make the most for the city of Sebastopol. Thank you for your service and time members of the planning commision.
Sincerely,
Mario Fernandez