Dear Editor,
At the Park and Recreation Commission meeting Feb. 15, I was
surprised to learn that a key element will be missing at the five
new city playgrounds (Sunrise Park, Carriage Hills Park, Los
Arroyos Park, Forest Street and Las Animas Veterans Park Oaks Play
Area).
Dear Editor,
At the Park and Recreation Commission meeting Feb. 15, I was surprised to learn that a key element will be missing at the five new city playgrounds (Sunrise Park, Carriage Hills Park, Los Arroyos Park, Forest Street and Las Animas Veterans Park Oaks Play Area).
The missing element is sand. The city has planned these parks to have only tan bark in the play areas.
It was explained to me at the meeting that the tan bark is ADA compliant while the sand is not. This may be true, however, Christmas Hill Park was recently updated and includes a stand alone sandbox.
I encourage any member of the design team, city staff and city council to visit parks with sand and see just how heavily it is used. Playing in the sand is an integral part of the park experience for young children, especially toddlers and preschoolers. Leaving this element out is a serious mistake and I believe it will lead to under utilized parks. Currently I do not take my own children to Miller Park due to its lack of sand and I know many people who feel the same way.
Additionally, I live in the immediate vicinity of Sunrise Park and I am a commission member in my third year on the Parks and Recreation Commission. I have an excellent attendance record for commission meetings and I attended all of the neighborhood meetings for Sunrise Park. Last night was the first time that I heard of there not being sand in the park. It really seems like this information is being slipped in at the last minute. I sincerely hope that enough parents and community members contact City Hall and or write the Dispatch to show their support for sand play areas in these parks. Thank you.
Denise Jungling, Commissioner, Parks and Recreation Commission, Gilroy
