From: Kate Haug
To: Mary Gourley
Cc: Dante Del Prete
Subject: Support Option B "Updated Charrette" - Calder Creek Public Comment 2/1/22 Date: Friday, January 28, 2022 4:43:24 PM
Dear Council Members,
I am very happy to see that Creek Naturalization is being pursued and believe that it will greatly enhance Ives Park. I thank the Planning Commission for their work on this extremely important project.
I am writing in support of Option B "Updated Charrette" which retains many of the crucial and dynamic aspects of Ives' Park, including Polley Field - also referred to as the Little League Field.
The City should retain Polley Field as it is an invaluable community asset. Polley Field is a source of recreation for people of all ages and activates the park throughout the year. Ives Pool, the Little League Field and the playground provide an array of recreational activities and resources all in one central downtown location.
Polley Field would be impossible to replace if lost. There would be no other downtown location which would accommodate such a field and there would most likely never be the funding to purchase such a plot and install a field. Once it is removed; it will never be replaced.
As a community, we must preserve spaces that bring people together for sports and other athletic pursuits as it is a wonderful mode of human interaction and a consistent place of joy. Sports create communities which span a host of demographic groups - age, income, race, ethnicity, profession, class. We need more spaces where people from diverse social and economic locations can play and have fun in our beautiful Sonoma County environs.
Ives is a crucial public asset and if upgraded and well maintained, could be a draw for visitors as well as residents. It is a centerpiece to our downtown as it also contains the Center for the Arts.
It would be extremely helpful to the general public if a budget, funding options and funding timelines were presented with each option. As the City has been unable to finance the approved Ives Park Master Plan from 2013, it should be made clear to the public if there is funding for the Creek Restoration, the sources of funding and the expected timeline between approval and implementation.
In addition, it would be helpful to hear from the Public Works Department on whether or not any of these options require untenable maintenance issues.
As the Public Works Department is understaffed, the Council and Commission should select a plan that can be supported through on-going City maintenance at current staffing and funding levels. It would be useful to hear which plan would be the most easy to maintain in the immediate and long term and which plan will be able to withstand the most wear and tear from public use and be least impacted by vandalism.
It is my understanding that the Little League plays an important role in maintaining Polley Field. As a person who regularly walks through Ives and lives downtown, I want to thank the Little League for keeping the field tidy and nice looking and for supporting community sports. I love hearing the games when I walk by; it makes the park feel alive.
There is nothing more pleasing than hearing people enjoying public space whether romping at the playground, playing a game of ball or jamming to the music from the water aerobics classes at the pool.
Option B is the best option for naturalizing the Calder Creek and preserving our community resources and spaces.
Best,
Kate Haug