The Observation Deck

Peter Grossetti wrote:Lakewood citizens need to coalesce and work together instead of dealing with issues that only affect their own neighborhood, block or backyard.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
Mayor Summers speaks of his dedication to more hoops with the next being at Lakewood Park

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10211&hilit

Dan Alaimo wrote:We are now moving forward with organizational plans to implement the Kauffman Park master plan. We have a meeting coming up and if anyone is seriously interested in working with us - and the time has come to work, not talk - it's June 10, 7 p.m., multi-purpose room of the library.

Given that, now that we have a plan are going to be working it, I would not be happy to adjust it in a major way to accommodate the hoops relocation because someone is offended by the sounds of young kids playing basketball. I understood the concern when it was older kids and all that entails, but not this.

Christopher Bindel wrote:The first item of new business was a communication from Councilman Sam O’Leary (Ward II) on park safety, climate, and user conduct. In his communication Councilman O’Leary said that he knows that several of the points he raises have been ongoing conversations in Council and that he submitted his statement in the hopes of rekindling those conversations with renewed vigor. He said with the weather improving people will start flocking to the parks in greater numbers for many various activities. The challenge comes in making sure that one's uses of the park for their activity does not negatively impact the activities of others or the local residents. With countless uses for the parks, there are many areas of potential conflicts, however Councilman O’Leary states he has heard specific concerns about the skate park, outdoor basketball courts, offensive behaviors near Kid’s Cove, and the hours of operation of the facilities.

He said, "Our goal should be to enable family-friendly use of our busy parks by continuing to employ proactive, community-oriented strategies that facilitate adult presence in the parks and engage residents and stake holders."

Councilman Shawn Juris (Ward III) asked if Councilman O’Leary had any ideas about what solutions he might be looking for. He continued saying that many of the issues mentioned in the statement already have ordinances on the books to deal with them and if there are issues they need to be reported so they can be enforced.

Councilman O’Leary said that he did not have any specific legislation in mind, but rather wanted to start a conversation to review the current legislation to make sure it is accomplishing what it is meant to. Also he would like to involve some of the community partners as well as law enforcement and park security in the conversation so they can more fully deal with the spectrum of behaviors and issues being faced. He said that in his experience, and those of his constituents, it does not seem to be any one particular group of people or park that has issues, but that they arise from many varied uses at different times and at all the parks.

Mayor Summers said he was kind of confused by Councilman O’Leary’s letter. He said it made some pretty sharp specific points and that he thinks they deserve some serious scrutiny. He asked Councilman O’Leary to think about a series of questions for the discussion in the Public Safety Committee to help clarify his intent. The questions he asked were as follows: What issues do you believe have not been followed through regarding the City’s facilities? What groups are you referring to when you say one group’s use comes at the expense of another’s? Can you be more specific regarding the offensive behavior at the skate park and basketball courts? What offensive behavior did you reference in regards to Kid’s Cove?

Councilman O’Leary said he would be glad to clear those up in Committee.

After a few more points made by Councilman Juris and Councilman Tom Bullock (At-Large) Council referred the communication to the Public Safety Committee for discussion.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2014/05/13/council-to-revisit-use-of-parks

Danielle Masters wrote:The mayor needs to man up and tell that nosy neighbor to deal with it.

Craig Lovejoy wrote:Whats next too much light coming from the baseball diamond?

Paul Schrimpf wrote:This actually calls for a pair of bolt cutters and a massive dose of civil disobedience.

Matthew John Markling wrote:

Danielle Masters wrote:The mayor needs to man up and tell that nosy neighbor to deal with it.

Danielle,

Do you really think that will ever happen?

Matt