Laserfiche WebLink
JoEllen Lambert expressed her belief parents share the responsibility in teaching their children about <br />safety. She sees the sport growing in popularity with its inclusion in the Olympics and praised Assistant <br />Director of Library and Recreation Crose's research into comparable local parks. Ms. Lambert <br />endorsed at least an acre of space and pointed out lights at the park would not face houses. She <br />emotionally thanked those who requested the park be named for her late husband David. <br />Joseph Senner expressed his desire to see lights until 11:00 p.m. and at least an acre of land for rider <br />safety. He feels it would provide a safe environment for skaters to learn and current parks are too small. <br />He endorsed naming the park for David Lambert and requested the park include a variety of skating <br />surfaces including flow and street elements. <br />Danny Santiago expressed his agreement with the other callers of having lights until 11:00 p.m., an <br />acre in size, and naming it in honor of the inspiring David Lambert. <br />Christina Lambert expressed her desire to see a skatepark named for her late father David who <br />supported and advocated for the community's youth through the Parks and Recreation Commission. <br />Ms. Lambert stated the pandemic makes skateboarding potentially more popular being a low barrier to <br />entry activity and an inexpensive way for kids to become active. She stated her belief in needing more <br />lights and for it to be lit later to help discourage nefarious activities. Ms. Lambert also endorsed a larger <br />park for safety along with helmet signage. <br />Cheryl Cook -Craig expressed her belief that not all kids are interested in team sports and the City <br />should add some focus on individual sports like skateboarding. She endorsed the project. <br />Andrew Lambert expressed his belief today's skateboarders do not adhere to outdated stereotypes. He <br />pressed the City's leaders to complete the project in a timely manner citing vocal support for the project <br />since the Master Plan was created in 2014. He endorsed lighting in the park, noting Dublin's park has <br />lights which riders could turn on at any time and Pleasanton's lights would not be in the eyes of <br />residential properties. Mr. Lambert endorsed the Ken Mercer Sports Park site along with upgrading the <br />facility. He stated his appreciation to those asking for a new park to be named for his late father David. <br />He asked the Council to approve the recommendation. <br />Justin Tran expressed his support for the project based on community support from youth, adolescents, <br />and parents. He cited the growing popularity of skateboarding and the inexpensive cost of participation. <br />He advocated for additional lights and leaving them on until at least 11:00 p.m. He requested the park <br />be at least an acre and have additional natural landscaping to enhance the City's beauty. Mr. Tran also <br />called for the park to be named in honor of David Lambert. <br />Caswell Berry expressed his feeling of the most popular skateparks having lights and being larger in <br />size so he endorsed those elements. He stated Ken Mercer Sports Park is a great location. <br />Matthew MacKirdy expressed his support for lights until 11:00 p.m., at least an acre of space, the Ken <br />Mercer Sports Park location, and the skatepark's naming in honor of David Lambert. <br />Kyle Bedell expressed his support of a skatepark as a place of social interaction for people like himself. <br />He would like lights after 11:00 p.m. and an acre of land as a safety concern. <br />Vice Mayor Narum closed the public comment. <br />Councilmember Testa praised the thorough report and agreed with the speakers in regards to the park <br />being large enough to allow for different abilities and one which will not be outgrown, calling for an acre <br />beyond the existing park. She stated her excitement over the report and motioned to support the staff <br />recommendation to begin the design process for a lighted skatepark at least an acre in size at Ken <br />Mercer Sports Park. <br />City Council Minutes Page 6 of 11 December 1, 2020 <br />