Contributor Opinion: Michael Lacey — "No Basketball Courts at Fallsgrove"
Nov 17, 2007 8:22 - 3 Comments
Posted by: Brad Rourke
Department: Contributor Opinion,Opinion
Tags: Fallsgrove, government services, parks
Department: Contributor Opinion,Opinion
Tags: Fallsgrove, government services, parks
>As a Fallsgrove resident, I am confused and concerned about the “vote” and plans for basketball courts, lighted or otherwise, as part of the development of Thomas Farm Community Center. Why, after the considerable concern expressed at King Farm, is another attempt place court within a residential area underway?
Fallsgrove residents were surveyed months ago on this issue. I believe that basketball was not a part of the decision and the issue was settled then. From the January 25, 2007 minutes of the Recreation and Park Advisory Board:
“Based on results received so far, the highest priority amenities are benches, shade trees, a walking/jogging path and path lights. The lowest priorities have been given to shuffleboard courts, sand volleyball and public art. . . . [M]ajor shifts in priorities [are not foreseen] as the remaining results are tabulated.”
My main concern about the location of basketball courts comes from the experience of many of my friends and neighbors at King Farm. Lighted courts within their community have brought nothing but dissatisfaction and serious concern: lights shining in people’s windows as they are trying to sleep, people gathering at late hours, loud music, fast moving cars, used condoms, and drugs. The intent of walking communities like King Farm and Fallsgrove is to foster a neighborhood feel, and the effect the courts have created has been anything but neighborly. There have been proposals to move the King Farm courts to the newly-created Mattie Stepanek Park, but the City has failed to act.
I am also concerned about the effect of bright lights on our forested area, which is bouncing back nicely as our very own nature preserve. If the court attracts the same issues that have occurred in King Farm, how safe will residents feel to use the miles of beautiful walking trails?
The residents of Fallsgrove are hard at work building a caring community with something for all, such as the Doggy Yappy Hour, Halloween Parade and the kick-off events for the Millennium Trail. Rockville and Fallsgrove are truly a great places to live and we want to maintain this quality in our parks.
Michael Lacey
Fallsgrove Resident
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So lighted basketball courts lead to fast cars, loud music, used condoms and drugs?>
That statement alone erases any legitimate concern Mr. Lacey may have expressed. Most of these anti-basketball court arguments come out sounding borderline racist.
And I love the folks next to the King Farm courts who suggest moving the problem to the other side of the neighborhood (the Stepanek park). Thanks neighbors!
Fourteen years ago, I worked with Burt Hall to design Kinship Park. I understood the need for a basketball court and how important it is to offer good, recreational options for our young people. We were very excited to serve the community and add one. Unfortunately, after a short while, we had to remove it because late-night activities and noise were disturbing residents.>
It doesn’t surprise me that people are observing these problems. It does, however, surprise me that anyone would bring race into this issue.
The Parks and Recreation Department needs to place the courts where they can benefit the kids and not disturb the neighborhood. Also, regardless of the location, the police need to monitor these parks regularly. It requires an ongoing dedication of the City’s resources to make basketball courts successful for everyone.
Let me add my perspective since my Waddington Place residence is across the creek from the >Dogwood Park Tennis and Basketball courts. Both sets of courts produce noise and traffic that blows past my home (including a steady procession of teenagers walking in the middle of the road). Only in the dead of winter does the noise abate. Luckily we are shielded by a stand of trees that only lose their leaves when the courts are less utilized. During the rest of the year the City has an obvious solution to ensure that games don’t continue too late…they turn off the lights.
Now it strikes me that residences on Oak Knoll Terrace that abutt the proposed Thomas Farm Community Center Park site are in a similar situation except that they don’t have a fifty year old stand of trees between them and the proposed basketball courts.
Since I am environmentally buffered, the courts aren’t within my “neighborhood” and predate the construction of my home, I have no grounds for complaint even if I would rather the were not there (since I play neither sport and don’t like the noise). However, the residents of Fallsgrove have a choice. They can sit idly by and watch the courts come and bring traffic and late night noise or they can voice their opinion against such to dissuade the planners.
For what it’s worth, I voted against courts and against lights for said courts. I voted for more playgrounds and garden plots.
ER!K RE@D
Waddington Place