Embarrassing

[Jay Foran]

Attended my son's travel soccer game this afternoon (9/17) at Cove Field. The grass on the field was no less than 8-10 inches long.

Trying to play soccer under such conditions is extremely challenging and most of all, embarrassing. During the course of the afternoon, 4 games are played at Cove Field.....all against visiting communities. Not a great calling card for our community.

Last weekend (9/10) we also played at Cove Field. The grass was overgrown already at that point. I bet the last time the grass was cut was prior to Labor Day, probably the end of August. In my estimation, the grass should have been cut at least twice since it was last cut, especially as the site serves as an athletic field.

Our travel soccer league also travels to other sites. Communities with FAR more park area (acreage) than Lakewood seem better able to maintain their parks.

I am sure the recent rain will be part of the rebuttal. However, with 3 children playing travel soccer we have visited multiple community sites within the same timespan and as recently as yesterday. These fields have been cut and cared for.

p.s. Making the situation even more frustrating for us (the hosting community) is very little parking is available at Cove Field. Whatever parking is available is often swallowed up by the neighboring apartments who view park property as their private parking lot.

Yes, I have called the city before regarding both of these situations.

[Kenneth Warren]

Jay:

Your post points to the need for an assessment of 21st century recreation needs coordinated across the institutional platforms of Lakewood City Schools/Rec. Dept, St. Edward, Lakewood Catholic Academy, St. Cyril, the Bars that sponsor teams and any others.

Can the city with limited resources actually control and program consistent quality in all parks?

Lacking proper resources, is any shrinkage in order?

Is there need for more soccer and less something else?

Who really knows what’s going on in the parks?

The parks sometimes serve as social catch basin for young adults, some escaping from Cleveland streets for fear of gang bangers.

As the schools gear up for phase-two a careful analysis of properties, priorities, standards and uses would be in order.

Are the Mayor and Dr. Estrop, Planning and Recreation considering such a path?

Kenneth Warren

[Kevin Galvin]

Wow, I never looked so deep into Mr. Foran's post. Instead of it calling for an assessment of........ I thought it called for the use of a lawn mower.