HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpeaker - Harriet Neely NotesGood evening. My name is Harriet Neely. I'm a retired
teacher. I have lived on Everett Dr. adjacent to the north
entrance to Osage Park since 1976, and I have seen
many improvements to our neighborhood and park. I'm
here to share my concerns and objections to the addition
of more PickleBall courts to Osage Park, which I see as a
detriment, not an improvement. It is not a responsible
decision for a new, possibly fad sport to have a large
number of courts which may not continue to be used in the
future.
You speak of no environmental impact, but does that
include families daily lives, safety and betterment of
children, high traffic, need for more parking, and
uncomfortable noise levels ... I don't think so! The park is
completely surrounded by residential homes. The north
entrance located at a dead end street already sees 50% or
more of drivers exiting not coming to a stop at the sign.
The increase of cars using the park would cause more
possibilities for accidents and safety needs for the many
pedestrians, which would bring more work for our police
force as told to me by an officer of our police department.
There would also be more traffic congestion added to
drop-off and pick-up of children from school at different
times on various days.
For the youngest children, our future community citizens, it
would mean taking away the athletic field used for their
introduction to baseball and soccer, both tried and true
activities. The field suggested for these courts is where
these children get an opportunity to find a sport they enjoy
and may play for a long time, while building teamwork and
good sportsmanship. It is an area used daily for the
benefit of these young people with the guidance of their
coaches. I do not think this area should be taken away
from our young children and their chance to develop their
athletic abilities.
When the park was built around 1980, the residents were
told it was for the local community. If the reason for
building more courts is to encourage more people even
from outside our area to use the park for this game, it is
not the right place to put these courts, nor is it the right
place for housing several courts for tournament play,
which would destroy the integrity of this lovely park.
For the good of all community members a better decision
would be to locate an area where building courts for this
current fad sport would have easier public access, allow
for parking, and where noise wouldn't disturb nearby
neighbors and those who enjoy walking in the
peacefulness of the park.
You as town leaders and others backing this venue should
find a much more suitable place than this park inside of a
large residential area designed for the people of our
community.
Thank you.