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Park and Rec�eation Commission Page 2 <br /> Minutes of November 28, 2007 <br /> appropriate play equipment, new picnic tables and barbeques, bulletin board, <br /> new cement pathways, relocation of the park entrance away from the Boys <br /> and Girls Club, and replacement of the restroom. The handball courts would <br /> also be removed and would be replaced with basketball courts. Chairperson <br /> Slusser asked for comments from the audience regarding the proposed <br /> renovation plans of Hoover Park. <br /> Raul Carmona spoke as a member of the U.S. Handball Association and for <br /> the handball players who use the courts at Hoover Park. He noted the courts <br /> are well used but that the surface of the courts needs to be repaired. Mr. <br /> Carmona asked the Commission to consider saving the handball courts <br /> because they are the only public courts between San Francisco and Mountain <br /> View. He spoke about the local, State and National handball champions who <br /> regularly practice on the Hoover courts and the importance of having a <br /> healthy sport available to the public. He did not think removing the handball <br /> courts will stop the gang activity in Hoover Park. <br /> Joseph Colmenares of the Boys and Girls Club said he was excited about the <br /> renovation of Hoover Park and the relocation of the park entrance near the <br /> Boys and Girls Club. He said the Club members want to be involved in the <br /> project. <br /> Andres Pantoja asked about installing environmentally friendly lighting in <br /> Hoover Park and Mr. Vorametsanti explained that the park needs more power <br /> than solar power can provide at this time, but the City is looking at using <br /> energy saving lighting in all our facilities whenever possible. <br /> Shirley Darnell, President of San Mateo County Parents Network, spoke about <br /> teens needing an outlet for their energy and she would not be in favor of <br /> removing the handball courts. <br /> Uriel Galvan stated he was a handball player and asked the Commission not <br /> to remove the handball courts at Hoover Park. He felt that playing handball <br /> helped him resist the influences of gangs and he also enjoys teaching <br /> children the sport of handball. Mr. Galvan suggested keeping the handball <br /> courts and using the adjacent lawn area for the proposed basketball courts. <br /> Eric Ruiz, a Boys & Girls Club staff member, felt there are too many gang <br /> members in Hoover Park and, as a result, many neighbors are afraid to bring <br /> their children to the park. He supported the removal of the handball courts. <br /> Arnaldo Castillo said that he felt the handball courts were used by people and <br /> are an asset to the community. <br /> The Commissioners asked questions of staff about the park renovation design <br /> and the reasons behind the removal of the handball courts. Superintendent <br /> Hover reported that one of the problems with the handball courts is that they <br /> are in close proximity to the Boys & Girls Club, which allows people to hide <br />