PRC MIN 2000-07-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of July 26, 2000 Page 3 supported by the community. He noted that this matter will be discussed at the August 28 City Council meeting. One resident spoke about the data being collected during the summer and felt the numbers would be even higher during the school year. She asked about a pedestrian activated stop sign and Mr. Haygood stated the cost would be from $120,000-$150,000. Chairperson Davis asked how the traffic on Hopkins Avenue compares to other areas of the city and if he felt that the park was causing traffic problems for the area. Mr. Haygood said the traffic is about the same as other areas of the city and felt the park is not causing traffic. -Public Comment Alex Stegner, President Board of Trustees of Universal Unitarian Fellowship Church, 2124 Brewster Avenue, explained that the church adopted Stafford Park as part'of the Adopt-A-Park Program and that they pick up trash at Stafford on a weekly basis. He said that the church members love the park and they normally visit the park in groups of 50-60 for special event. He stated that due to the new interim park use policy which prohibits the use of the park by groups of 25 people or more, they can no longer use the park. He asked that the Commission consider accommodating a process which would allow them to use the park 3 to 4 times per year. Elizabeth Travers, 27 Lowell Street, spoke about the over-use of the park and requested that the Commission consider eliminating all BBQs, tables and chairs from being brought into the park. She said the park signs need to be larger and bi-lingual for all participants to read and feels that the signs do not help deter the use of alcohol in the parks by large groups. Mrs. Travers showed the Commissioners pictures she took of the park showing alcohol containers on picnic tables, garbage cans overflowing, and BBQ charcoal left in landscaped areas. She spoke about the excess garbage in the park and that BFI is not picking up garbage on schedule. Tracey Fecher, Board President of Open Gate Nursery School, 2124 Brewster Avenue, spoke about her written request detailing the annual events that Open Gate usually has at Stafford Park. She stated that the interim policy now prohibits them from using the park because the size of their group exceeds the 25 person maximum. She stated that Open Gate has been a neighbor of Stafford Park for 25 years and they purchased a large picnic table for the park during the construction process. Ms. Fecher asked that the interim policy be amended to allow Open Gate to use the park, and if amended, agreed that they would give the department advance notice of when their events were taking place. Their next event is planned for mid- September. Pat Crawford, Director of Open Gate Nursery School, spoke in support of all Redwood City community centers and parks, and stated that the non- reservation policy is an issue for Open Gate. She asked that the Commission consider some kind of policy which would allow the group to continue using