LOBC, Noise, Healthy Kids, and Kaufman Park

[Jim O'Bryan]

This evening the mayor, Councilman Tom Bullock, members of the School Board, Ed Favre and Matthew Markling School Board President met with concerned residents and members of the Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee Nadhal Eadeh and Stephanie Toole about the recent complaints of noise and trouble at the Kaufman Park Courts.


This afternoon LOBC meet with neighbors and concerned parties about noise and complaints at the courts. One of the more outspoken resident has been complaining for 6 years. Here Nadhal Eadeh (LOBC), School Board Member Ed Favre, School Board President, Stephanie Toole (LOBC), Councilman from Ward 2 Tom Bullock discuss ideas that would allow the courts to stay here, and Tom agrees with LOBC move into other areas of the city as they were in the past.

The general consensus of most that were there is that more courts would ease the wait for courts and Kaufamn and would help spread the kids out of a larger area. So that could make it quieter. Tom Bullock got together with Ed Favre and Matthew Markling to try to come up with some ideas and plans.


While the adults talk of the future of the courts for kids. The kids inside are learning basketball skills, team work, working an dplaying with others, and getting off their asses and moving to stay fit. It was a good night, most stayed until nearly 8pm to talk about courts LOBC, coming elections and Ward 2 concerns.

It was great hearing everyone get down to thinking of ways to accomplish using this court and looking towards mroe courts around the city. The LOBC has certainly made some great strides in getting back healthy activities for Lakewood kids.

Keep up the good work.


.

[Danielle Masters]

I hate to sound petty but it really irks me when people live near a popular spot (like a park) and then complain about the noise. It's absurd to be complaining about the noise coming from some kids enjoying a game of basketball. I just have to wonder how people get to that point. To me it would be like me complaining about the train tracks, even though I knew they were there when I bought my house, or complaining about the crowds at a bar when you live next door to a bar.

This is an urban area, noise comes with the territory and I for one love the noise of kids outside getting fresh air and enjoying themselves.

Ok mother ranting done.

Oh and great job LOBC. My kids don't play basketball but I appreciate the need for courts in the city and you guys are wonderful.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I hate to sound petty but it really irks me when people live near a popular spot (like a park) and then complain about the noise. It's absurd to be complaining about the noise coming from some kids enjoying a game of basketball. I just have to wonder how people get to that point. To me it would be like me complaining about the train tracks, even though I knew they were there when I bought my house, or complaining about the crowds at a bar when you live next door to a bar.

This is an urban area, noise comes with the territory and I for one love the noise of kids outside getting fresh air and enjoying themselves.

Ok mother ranting done.

Oh and great job LOBC. My kids don't play basketball but I appreciate the need for courts in the city and you guys are wonderful.

Danielle

What I do not understand is, that this person has been complaining for 6 years.
How does this fall on LOBC and the courts that have barely been there 4 months?
But somehow LOBC is dragged in instead of figuring out what the person really has
issues with. It is obvious they are unhappy with some more than the park.

I would love to see LOBC get more courts, Webb Road, Cove Park, Madison Park,
Even Wagar Park.

.

[Missy Limkemann]

This guy that is complaining MUST be related to the guy who complained about the dog park. They both hate outside and enjoyment.

I have to agree with Danielle that if you live near a park you should expect noises. Which I think children playing are wonderful noises. With children obesity rates being so high, this should be wonderful to see them outside playing and getting fit. Not sitting at home playing video games, eating junk and doing nothing.

What is next? Pave paradise and put up a parking lot?

[Dan Alaimo]

Aside from the ball field, and now the basketball courts, Kauffman is just not that noisy a place, and those activities shut down after a certain hour. The Kauffman Friends group is trying to get more people and more activity in that park to better utilize it, and nothing that's on the table now would add that much sound, especially at night. It does seem a lot like the complaints about noise at the Dog Park, where there was/is very little unwarranted noise. While there is such a thing as excessive noise, people who live next to the park need to adjust their expectations, and if I read this correctly, most have done so.

[Dan Alaimo]

What is next? Pave paradise and put up a parking lot?

Missy, a proposal like that was being considered not so long ago. Dan

[Mike Coleman]

How about 40 or so courts next to the Dog Park?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Aside from the ball field, and now the basketball courts, Kauffman is just not that noisy a place, and those activities shut down after a certain hour. The Kauffman Friends group is trying to get more people and more activity in that park to better utilize it, and nothing that's on the table now would add that much sound, especially at night. It does seem a lot like the complaints about noise at the Dog Park, where there was/is very little unwarranted noise. While there is such a thing as excessive noise, people who live next to the park need to adjust their expectations, and if I read this correctly, most have done so.

Dan

The work you and Friends of Kaufman Park is needed and well thought out. FOKP are again one of the many
independent groups working to make this city better and certainly needed and appreciated.

Thank you.

The facts are that used parks are safe parks, that used streets are safe streets. That the crimes we most fear
are crimes of opportunities that happen on empty streets, empty parks, etc.

One of the things Ed and I were able to touch on was how much better the entire Kaufman Park scene is than
back in the 70s and early 80s, when it was describe in Time Magazine as the easiest place to buy drugs in
America. While activity is back up thank to your efforts and the efforts of LOBC and FOKP, it is much quieter
and better then it was before. It was great seeing this pocket gem being used yesterday.

WE really need to address the unhappiness of neighbors, but we should never go overboard. As I explained
to Councilman Bullock, if every time someone calls, the mayor, the council and the police, then a meeting is
called, it certainly makes a mountain out of a mole hill.

This city needs to decide, are we for Living Well in a Lakewood that is ALIVE, or every time kids, pet owners,
and people gather in a park are we going to outlaw it, and shut it down?

Dan, thanks again for everything you and FOKP are doing.

.

[Dan Alaimo]

Thanks for the kind words, Jim.
Dan

[jordan tadic]

The facts are that used parks are safe parks, that used streets are safe streets. That the crimes we most fear are crimes of opportunities that happen on empty streets, empty parks, etc.

Jim, this concept is so unbelievably true. Thanks so much for your support, and thanks to all the great Lakewood park organizations (FOKP, FOMP, etc.) that are helping to fill our parks with positive and healthy activities! On behalf of the LOBC, I just want to let you all know that we're super grateful to be joining forces with such honorable groups to tackle these extremely important community challenges.

[Jim O'Bryan]

The facts are that used parks are safe parks, that used streets are safe streets. That the crimes we most fear are crimes of opportunities that happen on empty streets, empty parks, etc.

Jim, this concept is so unbelievably true. Thanks so much for your support, and thanks to all the great Lakewood park organizations (FOKP, FOMP, etc.) that are helping to fill our parks with positive and healthy activities! On behalf of the LOBC, I just want to let you all know that we're super grateful to be joining forces with such honorable groups to tackle these extremely important community challenges.

Jordan

You have earned my support the old fashion way, you worked for it. LOBC is a beautiful effort, pulled together
for one of the strangest reasons I have ever seen in this day and age. The city, following Cleveland's lead to
take down hoops. Giving kids and adults one less way to get fresh air, exercise, a way to learn teamwork and
core values in a damn healthy environment. You would think cities would be putting up more hoops, not taking
them down.

What I like is that this group that is growing so quickly is also addressing other issues in our community.

I am proud to live in a city where organic groups like LOBC and Friends of Kauffman Park and Madison Park
can get together and grow, and have a positive impact on the lives of people in Lakewood.

Side note - Meg emailed me that Friends of Kaufman Park is actually KPF, and as always reminded me
that Kauffman Park has two FFs in it!

Dan

As I just mentioned to Jordan, in the rough and tumble world of the Lakewood Observer's Deck, kind words
are earned not just awarded with a simple click of a like button, or to create warm and fuzzy feelings. Friends
of Kauffman Park have been a force in keeping Kauffamn Park in the public eye. The park is a great asset to
this community and is often overlooked, and under used. Your work, and the work of the rest has been a
wonderful thing to watch and take part in. LOBC and KPF have gotten me to Kauffman park more times than
I had been there in the yen previous years. Each time was a good time, and an eye opener to what we have there.

.

.

[Missy Limkemann]

I can say that All Dogs' Heaven is planning a huge rally (adoption event) this year for Kauffman Park. We had a smaller one last year to get a "feel" for things, but this year we are hoping for bigger, better, with a ton more. We loved the park last year and it is a great gem!!!

[Meg Ostrowski]

Side note - Meg emailed me that Friends of Kaufman Park is actually KPF, and as always reminded me that Kauffman Park has two FFs in it!

Sorry for being such a stickler. KauFFman Park Friends (KPF) will be working with "park partners" to bring more activity/awareness to the park this summer. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, the obvious success (and positive contribution to the community) of LOBC's program warrants its expansion to other locations. This would alleviate crowding at the Kauffman court and the resulting excessive noise. In addition, perhaps there could be a limit on the number of people on the court at any given time to disperse those just hanging out...and what about a sound barrier on the west side of the court? 100 kids on the other side of a chain link fence might cause even the most supportive and tolerant resident to complain.

I know LOBC is working hard to resolve these issues, which is all the more reason they have earned and deserve Lakewood's support.

[Dan Alaimo]

Since posting last week, I've learned more about this issue. While LOBC has done immense good for youth, for Kauffman Park and for the city in general, the hoops are very close to houses, and some players evidently have been disrespectful to the park's neighbors, such that I now agree they have a point. (I still don't understand complaints about other noise in the park.) I wish I had more information. LOBC is working aggressively to correct this, and we'll see how that works out. I really hope it does. LOBC is a great program, but the neighbors must be respected, and at the same time, I would expect the neighbors to be tolerant of legitimate park use.

And yes, it is 2 'F's, named for a former mayor.

[Bill Call]

Since posting last week, I've learned more about this issue. While LOBC has done immense good for youth, for Kauffman Park and for the city in general, the hoops are very close to houses, and some players evidently have been disrespectful to the park's neighbors, such that I now agree they have a point. (I still don't understand complaints about other noise in the park.) I wish I had more information. LOBC is working aggressively to correct this, and we'll see how that works out. I really hope it does. LOBC is a great program, but the neighbors must be respected, and at the same time, I would expect the neighbors to be tolerant of legitimate park use.

And yes, it is 2 'F's, named for a former mayor.

I live near enough to the skate board park to hear and see the activity. I'm not bothered by either. On the other the skate boarders (from what I've seen) are always reasonably quiet and respectful. I actually enjoy the activity. Of course if they were noisy and disrespectful I'd feel differently.