From: John Parodi
To: City Council
Subject: Re: Ives Park Restoration Options
Date: Tuesday, February 01, 2022 8:05:36 PM
Hello!
Please use the revised comments below, as I noticed a few errors after my submission.
Thanks!
John
Dear Members of the Sebastopol City Council,
I am writing to share a few essential points for your consideration as you are reviewing the design options for the restoration of Calder Creek and the enhancement of Ives Park. I am writing from the unique perspective of both a 12 year-volunteer of Sebastopol Little league, and as a restoration scientist, with over twenty years of restoring riparian habitat in Northern California.
I have been fortunate to have participated in many projects of similar size, scope and community input, from design to completion. One overwhelmingly consistent trend in park visioning activities in suburban/urban communities is the absence of essential, diverse voices in the planning process, both in my experience and in published literature.
Although fully naturalized options are initiated with the best intentions, these alternatives often represent a privileged few, and do not include the perspective of communities that use team-sport focused open spaces as an essential part of multigenerational activities, celebrations and recreation. I'm concerned that this pattern is being repeated here, and the planning process was not inclusive of the diversity of voices in Sebastopol.
I was very pleased to see who is leading the design process. Dr. Ann Riley is a true pioneer in riparian restoration, specifically in urban and suburban environments. The fact the design team shared that the "Updated Charette" option would provide substantial ecological improvements to Calder Creek without losing the cherished community resource that is Polley Field, I'm curious as to what factors would lead us to conclude that the "Stable Planform" option is best for our community.
As you are considering design alternatives, please reflect on whether the process included all of the diverse voices of our community members, and if the "Stable Planform" option truly represents our community or just a privileged few. I am very excited to see that we can enhance Calder Creek while still keeping Polley Field as a celebrated landmark in our community.
Thanks for encouraging the open dialogue in our wonderful Sebastopol Community! John Parodi