Dear Council Members,
I am writing in regards to Items 4 and 10 - AmeriCorps Trail and Parklet Guidelines.
While I understand the importance of funding Trails, I would like to see in the next Capital Improvement Budget funding for Ives Park.
Ives Park is the major park in downtown. It hosts the Apple Blossom festival, concerts and other community events. It currently is in a dilapidated state with a 50 year old chain link fence and broken wooden parts of the fence that are falling off. The pathway is dangerous. The majority of the park is not landscaped.
For the next CIP budget, I would like to see $300,000 allocated to Ives' Park, which is what we are allocating to a trail at the edge of town that does not host any public events.
I would like to see the fence replaced with a new, black chain link, the pathways updated to be ADA compliant, the bridges rebuilt and landscaping to make the park more inviting. A few years ago, it cost $70,000 to replace all the old fencing with a new black chain link fence. I am sure that prices have increased so I am assuming you could replace the entire fence with new black chain link for $100,000.
While I know the Planning Commission is investigating naturalizing the stream bed, it is a minimum 10-15 years before that project would even break ground and is dependent on securing $10,000,000-$15,000,000 in funding. While naturalizing the stream would be beautiful, it is a very long process and there is no reason why we can't make a minimal investment in Ives now so that current residents and groups can safely enjoy the park and its beauty.
In terms of the Parklets, I still do not understand why the City would take on more public space when it can't afford to maintain its current public spaces. Does the City need more public space to maintain when Ives, Libby Park, the Town Square and the Railroad Forrest all need major investment? It is extremely doubtful that businesses will want to pay for the parklets as they cannot use them for commercial activity and have no jurisdiction over public space.
Caltrans specifically states that commercial activity is strictly prohibited:
"Vending and/or table service on parklets is strictly prohibited.
Tables and seating must be distinct from those of nearby businesses" I ask as the Council moves forward with the budgeting process that they invest in Ives Park as it is a major community asset, used by many different groups, and is a major feature of our downtown. In addition, it is the home of the Arts Center, which is trying to raise money for its survival. If Ives were a welcoming and safe public space, it would enhance usership of the Arts Center. An investment in Ives, is also an investment in our wonderful Arts Center.
Best,
Kate Haug