POTD: Daybreak

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(With apologies to The Stone Roses.) Happy New Year to all!

POTD: Mysterious

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Kinship Park looks so eerie in the early morning mists . . . .

Contributor Opinion: Michael Lacey — "No Basketball Courts at Fallsgrove"

>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

Rockville Central runs occasional, edited opinion pieces by contributors. Their views are not necessarily those of Rockville Central. To submit your opinion for consideration, contact us.

POTD: For The Birds

> (With apologies to Juliana Hatfield.) I love this little birdhouse. It’s near Peg Sante Park.

POTD: Take It

>While it surely is tempting to want to caption this with that Robert Frost “less traveled by” business, I far prefer what Yogi Berra said about places like this: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.“

We Can't Get Enough of Rockville's Summer Camps and Programs

There is no time I appreciate the City of Rockville Recreation and Parks Department more than during the summer. Both of my sons enjoy Rockville’s Summer Camps, and I am happy to have close-by, safe options for them to enjoy. This summer they have already attended skateboarding, pottery, computers, science, and nature camps, and there’s more to come.>

What really impressed me this year was what happened when something went wrong. My son was physically unable to stay in a camp due to a medical problem. When it became apparent that he couldn’t go back, I called the Recreation Department. The staff member who helped me was familiar with my son (even though we had never spoken before), knew exactly what I was concerned about, and had him transferred to another camp within an hour. I couldn’t believe how efficiently they handled the matter. I send my sincerest thanks to the Recreation Department staff!

What I am hearing from most parents in Rockville, is that their families like the summer camps and playground programs as much as my family and they really depend on them. Last week the before/after care for campers and the Summer Playgrounds program ended. The camp choice for the month of August is limited. It’s difficult to find private camps with openings at the end of summer and the kids have to adapt to a whole new system for just a few weeks. Parents have been wishing that a full schedule of Rockville camps with before/after care, and the Summer Playground program, be extended for at least one additional week.

If you are not familiar with the Summer Playground program, the City staffs ten parks with “experienced, creative, and energetic recreation leaders”. The kids (ages 6-12) do sports, make crafts, swim, and take field trips. Families pay an affordable fee to attend from June 25 –August 2. In my neighborhood, the kids really depend on this program. For most of these children, it is the only camp they will attend all summer. When they are not at the park, they are alone in their apartments. I know that there are budget constraints and that the Recreation Department is expected to fund its own programs, but the City really needs to expand the number of weeks this program is offered.

It’s obvious, we can’t get enough of our terrific Recreation and Parks Summer Camps and Programs!

Maryvale Park To Get New Playing Field

The City of Rockville is seeking public input on >plans for a new playing field at Maryvale Park.

Built in 1992, the current setup has turned out to have insufficient drainage. According to the city:

The facility was planned to be wet during rain events and dry a few days later which would allow the use of a baseball field and open space for activities. After being saturated, the pond does not drain properly and takes too long to dry out. The efficient use of the pond for activities has never been obtained. Environmentally, the pond has benefits but the park open space is not fully useable due to frequent saturated conditions. Several modifications (grading and underdrain system) over the years to address the saturated conditions have not met expectations.

The new plans will include a smaller stormwater pond, which will ordinarily be at 1.5 feet (growing to 10 feet during large storms). At the city’s Maryvale capital improvements page, there will be a survey lin kto give your input (not yet functioning; check back).

Here is a link to a FAQ about construction start, duration, etc.

POTD: Flower Focus

> I’m not sure how I got the flowers to go out of focus like that, but I like it. This was in Peg Sante Park.

POTD: Peg Sante Park

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This is one of the things I love about this particular part of Rockville: Peg Sante Park. Pete Sante (Peg’s widower) lives just a few doors away.