To whom it may concern,
My name is Jennifer Johnson. I was on the Parks and Rec Commission during the period of time that Nealon Park was being renovated. I also served on the Parks and Rec subcommittee for the renovation and worked closely with then director, Derek Schweigart, Brian Henry, and contractors from GameTime (the parent company of PlayCore) throughout this process. Careful thought and consideration was given to the layout of the playground based on many factors, and we met with the designers from GameTime several times. There were multiple outreach events, targeted mailings to neighbors of the park, a meeting dedicated to allowing local residents to vote on elements within the park, etc. To be very clear, the Parks and Parks and Rec departments did extensive outreach to the community and specifically to the neighbors of Nealon Park. Neighbors had every opportunity to lodge concerns at that point about this feature but did not. The only objection to proposed pieces of equipment were from neighbors who rejected the idea of certain musical elements which were subsequently removed from the playground design. At no time did any neighbor raise an objection to the zipline feature. This feature was specifically chosen as one that allows disabled and non-disabled children to play side-by- side. Inclusion and accessibility were a large focus of this park renovation and the reason that I, amongst others, urged Council to increase the budget for this playground renovation so that it could truly serve all residents in Menlo Park, a characteristic that no other playground in Menlo Park is able to do. It was immensely popular and allowed for inclusion in a way that most elements do not. I strongly reject the notion that this is not an element that should be included at a neighborhood playground. If any neighbors had raised objections, at the time of the planning, this feature almost certainly could have been relocated elsewhere.
It is entirely unfair to the children of Menlo Park to be denied the playground they were promised because 2 residents decided to complain after they had every opportunity to have their concerns addressed before the playground was built. Nealon Park is the only accessible playground in all of Menlo Park. The needs of all children, children with disabilities, parents and caregivers with disabilities need to be prioritized over those who ignored their opportunities to weigh in when it was timely. Further, when you purchase a home whose fence line is that of a neighborhood playground, there is an expectation that there will be more noise than if you purchased a home not adjacent to a playground. It is not fair to want to take advantage of the increased home values of being so close to a neighborhood park while, at the same time, trying to restrict the normal activities of that park. It is completely unreasonable to expect that this element be removed and replaced.
The fact that people are using the playground after hours has nothing to do with this element being in its current location. This is a matter of enforcement for the City and Police and not a reason to deactivate a popular and inclusive element.
None of the other concerns raised by this resident have anything at all to do with the zipline feature (broken seats on another element, trash cans, sidewalk, homeless persons in the playground, or lack of enforcement by MP Police).
If Council, Parks, or Parks and Rec wants to try to accommodate these late comers, they could consult with GameTime/PlayCore about a potential modification to the element that might dampen the noise. However, whether or not that is possible should not have an impact on the return of this element that was approved by votes in Parks, Parks and Rec, and Council. This is a playground, and the needs of all Menlo Park's children, with and without disabilities, to play together should be put before unreasonable demands of neighbors who had every opportunity for input prior.
I am requesting and expecting that I be notified of any communication on this issue and any meetings at which Nealon Park will be discussed.
Best,
Jennifer
"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization." Franklin Delano Roosevelt
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lynore Banchoff >
Date: Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 4:50 PM
Subject: Problems in Nealon Park
To: City Council Menlo Park >
Cc: Halleck, Bill H >, Henry, Brian P >, “Christopher Harris” >, Dana Payne (danaolson12@gmail.com) >, “Jennifer Baskin” >, “Jennifer Johnson” >, Marc Bryman (mhbryman@gmail.com) >, Robert Bentley (robbentley2222@gmail.com) >, Sarah Staley Shenk (sarah@staleysash.com) >, >, >
My House backs up to Nealon Park. I recently wrote the Head of the Parks Dept, Mr. Zeo about the following problems but also add this note to you. To add some thoughts. The Zip line does not belong in a neighborhood park… or perhaps should have been placed on the othe rside of the play area. I think that children over 12, teens and young adults play on it when the area is supposed to be closed. Since I last wrote, one of the 3 seats on the spinning seat apparatus has been broken and is only a pole. That is a danger in itself.
Please do something about these problems and notify all the neighbors in the area about the resolution.
Sincerely, Lynore Banchoff
Good Morning Mr Zeo, Director of the Parks Department, Menlo Park,
I live on Morey Dr. and my house backs up to Nealon Park. First, I want to say I appreciate that the trees lining my back fence and those of my neighbors have been pruned. Also, it makes sense that there are more picnic tables on the outside of the cast iron fence, but you need to add more trash containers.
My most immediate concern, and a subject of discussion among my neighbors is the area around the play equipment.
(1. The trash in the round containers placed near the entrance to the gated play area must be collected on a regular basis.
(2. The cement area under and alongside the containers shows blackish and ugly signs of serious leakage and neglect.
(3. The sidewalk along that area, from end to end needs a good power washing as it is very unattractive.
A second issue: Some people are letting their dogs run free on the central lawn of the open play area.
A third issue: It is disturbing to see adults and teens on the spinning seats (that are very popular.) Some parents rotate their kids until they are flying very high. If any of the children lost their grip on the pole/seat, it would be tragic. I don’t know if you can do anything about this!
You need to place several signs in the park play area which indicate that it is for children under 12 ( or whatever guidelines you have set.) I suggest you have someone from your department patrol the park every week. In the long run, it could save you maintenance work and also the injury of adults and children.
A forth Issue: I am sure you are aware that young people have congregated in the park late at night. I believe my neighbors have addressed this with the Parks Dept. I appreciate that you have tried to improve the lighting.
A fifth Issue: What is the City policy about homeless people in the park?
Thank you for your consideration of these important issues. I have CC’d many of my neighbors, so they can keep track of the City resolution to these problems which impact the quality of our community life.
Sincerely,
Lynore Banchoff
565 Morey Dr. Menlo Park. 94025
650 327 1234
