Public Parks Hearing

[Ryan Patrick Demro]

I will lead a public hearing on The State of Our Parks on Tuesday, July 31st beginning at 6:30pm in the City Hall Auditorium.

The presentation will begin with a brief history and PowerPoint presentation (7 minutes), it will then be followed by public comment until 8pm. All residents are encouraged to attend.

[Mike Deneen]

What is the goal of this meeting?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Ryan

I would like to thank you for a wonderful meeting and a very fair job of presenting all angles.

Tony Beno, Dave Seaman and crew, thanks so much for being there. I hope you felt the same warmth as I did. For those that were not there, it was easy hearing from Tony and crew these guys love Lakewood. They are trying the best to keep up with what they have.

No one should ever doubt the love Tony Beno has for Lakewood. The man lives here, works here, and goes out at night hear. I love running into Tony at Mahalls, always good clean fun.

Councilman Ed Fitzgerald popped in and added to the discussion, especially the legal issues on various topics.

I am not sure what it was, but out of all of the safety meetings I have been to, this seemed the best. While there were gripes, there was also plenty of suggestions and a real feeling of community in the room.

In the end it will be citizens and city hall that will need to work together more. That is not so bad, actually it is good.

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[Joe Ott]

I wasn't able to make it last night.
Any chance someone can post a run down as to items covered and so on?

Thanks.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Joe

Money needed.

One of these darn things once you hear it you can understand it.

Example given:

Police used to work as crossing guards when needed. Eventually it was seen that Park Guards would save the city money working as crossing guards. This took staff from Parks that had to be covered.

One time while moving, parks people were used to help with the move to save money. Again taking people away.

The recent problem/help would be the parks people reacting to phone calls and complaints which takes them off scheduled work.

I also found out the have to maintain I-90 road medium!

Ryan pointed out places to save money. One I agreed with one I did not. The fact remains with so many things here. We are going to cut, or raise. The last 2 of 3 choices we have.

The meeting started of with a presentation, then Ken Warren stood up to report on our latest run in with kids regarding trash. As Ken put it, "Dogs marking their territory." This is it which brings us to a third choice.

Use our parks heavily! The other night ten "thugs" were sitting at a table. Ken, Dan Slife and I went over to "hang" with our new buddies. For some reason they did not want to hang with us. Go figure. Ken was even in his usual suit.

As pointed out by others, thugs will not break laws with law abiding people watching and if they do, call the police.

It goes back to if we do not use the parks, and walk in the walkable city, others will. Those others might not be as friendly as your neighbors.

Another thing touched on was why the Basketball hoops are gone. While I am not sure the reason holds water, regionally. We were told that "punks" were coming in from other cities. I know this for a fact. the point was a tad over dramatized, but the point was made. Now the problem is, we put our nets up, with the rest of the county's nets down!

They are looking at allowing the use of school gyms this fall. As it was laid out it will be for residents, and guests. Who know how this will work.

Another troubling comment made was that Lakewood groups leave Lakewood for other parks. All this does is leave empty parks, and that vacuum will be filled. The less people there the worse the vacuum the worse the fill.

One of the nice things about Lakewood is the energized people. It is now time for this energized group to secure Lakewood.

Ken, Dan and I are still walking some of the "bad" areas of Lakewood, and have found many good people. Have yet to run into any other "walkers."

Time to get proactive.

Or, we pay others.


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[Joe Whisman]

We have already taken steps to help one park. www.caring4kidscove.com. Kid's Cove is a wonderful playground that is in need of help. In it's present state, it is unsafe.We are trying to raise funds to repair and maintain the site. We are working with the city and they have been very helpful. The Lakewood Foundation is our fiscal agent. Every Deck reader can now make a tax deductible donation to help improve our parks. Believe it or not, your tax dollars are not enough!
Every year 200,000 children are taken to the emergency room due to playground accidents. 70% of those are related to falls onto improper surfaces.We are working on Kid's Cove because it is largest playground in Lakewood. You can also email us at info@caring4kidscove.com.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Joe

Kids Cove was part of the discussion and I mentioned the Whisman effort, and Tony chimed in about it as well.

Keep up the good fight.


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[Joe Whisman]

Did I mention all donations are tax deducible?

[Danielle Masters]

Another troubling comment made was that Lakewood groups leave Lakewood for other parks. All this does is leave empty parks, and that vacuum will be filled. The less people there the worse the vacuum the worse the fill.

Unfortunately until the parks are sufficiently repaired and safe the vast majority of mom's groups will take their children elsewhere. As I said at the meeting last night I get tired of taking my kids to the park and having them complain about the missing equipment. And while I applaud groups doing community work and fixing the parks I have to wonder how we got to the point where we have to pay for things twice.

It did seem from the meeting last night that the parks department is stretched thin, but I haven't heard Mr. Beno or Mr. George ask for more money to hire more help. Over the past year I have been in contact with the Mayor several times regarding the parks. When the parks report was presented to council last year I spoke up and gave my concerns. There was silence on this issue, just like on so many other issues. The mayor publicly stated last year that Lakewood park was in beautiful condition. And if the parks department is so stretched why are they using employees to move offices and be crossing guards? Seems like a management issue.

I am just frustrated because we are heavy park users and I want them in good condition. I also want honesty. It was stated last night that maybe the solution is fewer parks. If we had fewer parks but they were in pristine condition I would fine with that. As it is we have parks like Madison and Kaufmann that are unusable, what's the difference?

Something needs to be done. This needs to be addressed. We need an honest answer from Mr. Beno about the needs of the department. Who does what? How long should all the work take? How many employees are needed to do all the necessary work? Only once detailed info is provided can we have a serious discussion. It's sad but a few fabulous councilmen can't get this done. I thank Mr. Demro for addressing these issues and having these meetings. Unfortunately a few voices on council isn't enough to get action. Council is the legislative branch, there is only so much one or two members can do and Mr. Demro and Mr. Butler have gone above and beyond what they can do. I am tired of the community suffering because those (the mayor or the other council members) who can do something refuse to. It's time for everyone to work together to address the issue. Mr. Demro and Mr. Butler have started the process, now it's time for the others to step up. But I am not holding my breath, some people it seems would rather worry about politics than actually doing something for the good of the community.

Sorry for my ranting, I am just so upset by all this. The children of Lakewood deserve good parks. They deserve a place to play.

[Bill Call]

It did seem from the meeting last night that the parks department is stretched thin,

I don't buy it.

We have 30% more City workers serving 30% fewer citizens and the reason the parks are a mess is that they don't have enough people?

If 4 people from the parks department were permanently assigned to do nothing but keep Lakewood Park clean do you think they could do it?

Perhaps it is time to privatize park maintenance.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Danielle

It seemed pretty clear to me.

2 members of council maybe three were for a larger parks budget, the rest would not cut, programs. The mayor also chose other programs over parks. It was not clear what they chose, it was not parks. No one person and certainly not the parks department were blamed.

Please do not mind me for using your mindset to underline some things.

You love Lakewood Parks, but go elsewhere. Should a city dump money into something not being used? Little links a good example. the parks Ryan spoke of consolidating a good example. The tennis courts a good example.

As far as the missing equipment it might be a great time to explain budgets. That when the balance sheet is zero, it is hard to buy anything. Does he want that swing more than the Family Room. (This example was not used, just trying to think of a fun place for kids.)

Kids Cove, Joe can tell you and it is hear on the board. Built with donations on the cheap. They bought it and did not have the company install it. Some of the problems were with things not done 100% correctly. Now Joe is trying to not on fix Kid's Cove, but leave a bank account behind for maintenance. A tremendous effort.

The problem with Lakewood is very very simple.

Services and parks - Cut, raise taxes or get involved.

After the meeting last night Ken and I went back to Madison Park to claim OUR table. Again we had friends, not as many as before, but friends. Once again, they did not want to hang. Dave Shaw came over, and Culeen Carey and they still did not like my gang and left. Some from the night before turned the corner and saw my posse and turned and walked away.

I am not saying you are the problem Danielle, far from it. However is we want these parks and if you truly believe they are under siege, not safe, or a problem, we have to take them back and secure the area. Falling back is not a good option, makes the city less safe. Going on the offense, makes the entire city safer.

We know the Park Department is stretched thin, we know the police are stretched thin. What do we do? What can council do without the mayor, what can the mayor do without council? What can either do with or without raising taxes?

Just a thought.


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[Bill Call]

We know the Park Department is stretched thin, we know the police are stretched thin. What do we do?
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Have you looked into the absenteeism rate at the parks department?

We have some of the highest taxes in the country and we are reduced to various volunteer committees to get anything done.

Keep in mind that any tax increase will be used to finance raises and increased vacation time leaving you right back where you started.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bill

I have not looked at vacation time.

I have not said that things couldn't be run smoother.

At the same time Ryan went over no more park employees, but many
many more park duties.

No matter I am sure you can agree we have three options, cuts(could be vacation), taxes (could be abused), or involvemnt.

But as you are my math man of choice?

If a park sits empty, how much should the city spend on the mainetence, before they close it and sell it off?

This city would be solvent tomorrow if we built 1-3 more gold coast buildings on the lake. Is Lakewood Park that area?

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[Dee Martinez]

[quote="Jim O'Bryan"

The problem with Lakewood is very very simple.

Services and parks - Cut, raise taxes or get involved.



.[/quote]

Very likely it will be all three.
Just one persons opinion but I think our council and mayoral candidates would do a service by putting actual price tags on some of the things Lakewood has and/or wants. Right now that info is hard to come by.
The idea worked for the library and the schools. Want this? It will cost you this.

[Danielle Masters]

Jim,

I do use Lakewood parks. In fact we rarely leave the city to go to the park. We go to Lakewood Park several times a week. I am definitely not one to run and hide. I may be a mom but I am not afraid of thugs. Honestly the only time I leave the parks is when bus loads of kids come in. I also left Lakewood Park on the 4th of July. There were just too many kids without any supervision. Honestly I know I am in the minority. It's unfortunate but it's just easier for people just to avoid the problem. I am not saying that's right, I am just saying that is what happens. And if the equipment is missing it makes it hard to play at the park. Take a look at Madison park and tell me what the kids can play on? If the equipment has offensive graffiti I can't blame a parent for not exposing their child to that. These are just some of the reasons parents go elsewhere.

I also am one to be involved. A few weeks back I spent my Saturday cleaning up the skatepark with Vince and a few other guys. Vince then went around and talked to the skaters about picking up their trash and how they need to responsible for it's maintenance. We try to stress to them that everyone worked hard to get the park built and that they have to be responsible for keeping it clean. I have no problem telling people anywhere to pick up their own trash. At the skatepark the kids pick it up with no problem, elsewhere I usually get foul words and hand gestures.

The fact is that few people are going to take the initiative to take the responsibility themselves. The majority of people feel that is what they pay taxes for. All I want is honesty. If the city doesn't have the money to maintain the parks than tell us that, but I have some campaign literature in front of me that talks about "the city's....improving financial position". Either we are in a financial crisis or we aren't. Either way be honest. I need our elected officials to tell it like it is. If the parks aren't going to be a priority be honest with us. If we can;t afford the parks then we need a plan of action but doing nothing just isn't going to cut it anymore.

The mayor also chose other programs over parks. It was not clear what they chose, it was not parks. No one person and certainly not the parks department were blamed.

You are right they chose to spend money elsewhere, but I never heard the parks needed more money. I guess I wasn't listening hard enough. When the parks report was released that would have been a fine time for the mayor or Mr. Beno to speak up and say "listen we need x amount to fix this problem". I haven't heard that and I didn't hear it last night. Maybe I expect too much from my public officials but considering they run the city on a full-time basis I would think they would know what we need to fix the problems.

I am not going to comment on the parks anymore on the deck. I am tired of saying the same thing and getting no where. I will speak at the next council meeting but that's it. My calls and letters to the mayor have only gotten me form letters. I am frustrated and feeling defeated.