PROPOSED PARKING ON MIDDLE AVEBY NEALON PARK
I read in today’s Post the article concerning the CompleteStreets Commissioners’ recommendation to possibly remove existing parkingspaces along Middle Ave by Nealon Park, in favor of a miniscule number of parallel parking spots. This is an absolutely ludicrous idea.
· Nealon Park has a large and very well attendedkids’ playground and parents need to be able to safely unload kids, strollersand other supplies near to the park.
· The park has a baseball field – also wellattended in summer
· There are several tennis courts that in all butinclement weather are well used by many people
· In the morning there is usually a well-attended dogpark
· On nice days there are families picnicking onthe grass
I have not counted them but there are probably 20 spacesalongside the tennis courts which are nearly always full to overflowing.
Existing problemswith parking dedicated to Little House members:
The back lot (parallel to Middle Ave) is supposedlyreserved for Little House Mon.-Fri. until the evening. However, thisrestriction is not observed and is used for parking (often to the exclusion ofseniors) by:
· Multiple families going to the children’splayground, with kids often running around
· Dog walkers and dogs who are sometimes runningloose
· Picnickers
· People who live in the apartments adjacent tothe parking lot
· Tennis players
· Gardening and construction staff
· Food trucks for parties sponsored by the city
· Teenagers
IMPACT ON LITTLEHOUSE PATRONS:
· Many members are mobility impaired: some are intheir 80s and 90s but do not qualify for a disabled sticker. They cannot walk far.
· Members, especially those using walkers, do notexpect distracted or inconsiderate drivers zooming through the parking lot, orkids and dogs running loose.
· On Wednesdays the parking lot is even moreimpacted because of the grocery give away program
· Elderly members do not anticipate small childrenrunning around the parking lot
· I have even observed young parents with smallkids parking in the disabled spots
MY OPINION:
This is a thoughtlessand thoroughly biased suggestion by local bicycle advocates who care little forother members of society. Middle Ave hasgood sidewalks and generous bike lanes. I travel Middle frequently at different times, and have only ONCE seen acyclist, and that person was riding in the 2 ft. caution area! There are many residents that should beallowed to have access to Nealon Park and safe parking.
What the Commission should be addressing is the problemsassociated with e-bikes, and the dangers that these cause along Santa Cruz Aveand other streets in the city. The MPPD is woefully inadequate when it comes totraffic enforcement as to both cars and bikes, especially in the downtownarea. The proposal to reduce parkingalong Middle will severely and negatively impact the rights of seniors thatpatronize Little House and amounts to age discrimination.
I hope that theCouncil members will not follow the Commissions “off the wall” recommendation.
