HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - Parks Master Plan My name is Kathryn Reece and I am a resident of Russwood Estates
in Grapevine. J `
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I su ort the ex ansion of th� Communit �ctivitie�Center an h
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Senior Activities Center.
However, I do not support fencing and lighting more of the soccer �
fields in Oak Grove Park. I live directly behind the soccer fields and
even directional lighting will put a considerable amount of light in my
bedroom and living windows. Also adding lights means there will be .
later games on those fields near my house and thus more noise.
I respectfully request that other locations be considered for additional
lighted soccer fields since Oak Grove Park is already stated as
having "Heavy Use" by the consultants. I agree that Oak Grove has
"Heavy Use". Traffic is heavy and parking is limited. Adding more use
of soccer fields will just make this situation worse.
I request that-other parks be considered, perhaps the 65 acre
Highpoint Park, that is currently undeveloped. It might provide a good
Ibcation for soccer fields that do not flood. This would allow visitors
and residents coming to the Oak Grove regional park to use the un-�
fenced soccer fields while their families enjoy the other amenities of
Oak Grove Park.
If there is no other option but to light the fields behind my house and
the houses of my neighbors, many of whom are elderly, then I
request that the city meet with the affected residents to find ways to
lessen the impact o,n these families. For myself, additional screening
for the lights would help, as well as having a lights-out time of 10 or
10:30 pm.
I enjoy living in Grapevine and moved here to be near the lake. I
would like to retain as much of my quality of life as possible. Thank
you for listening and considering my requests. -
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Georjean �
From: "John Rath"<
To: "Georjean SherrifP'<
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 5:15 PM
Subject: Re: Need your help
Thanks for your activism. See if this letter works for you.
Dear Council members:
With a degree in Parks and Recreation as well as a degree in Business Administration, 25 years
working in a recreation profession, a lifetime of being outdoors, and a member of the Lone Star
Sierra Chapter Executive committee, I feel qualified to comment on our parks master plan. In
addition, I'm an avid and appreciative user of our Grapevine programs.
I'm pleased with the approach taken to seek input from diverse sources and get feedback from the
community. I believe balance is the key to continuing our quality parks and recreational
offerings. There are several considerations I'd like to call to your attention:
Meadowmere being overly developed. I'm not exactly sure what over development means
without further study. Mr.Evans' newspaper comments indicated a sensitivity to keeping
wildlife corridors intact without negative human impact, a need to meet the public's clesires and
meet economic goals. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, "the overall economic
effect of wildlife-associated recreation is estimated to have been $10.4 billion"in 2001. This ,
includes birdwatching,wildlife photography,fishing, paddling hiking,not just hunting. In fac,t
the 2001 statistics show 74,000 more wildlife watchers visited Texas than hunters (174,000 vs
100,000). Meadowmere is a great place currently to view wildlife by boat or foot and I'd hate to
lose that uniqueness. I would like to see additional data.being collected over the next few years ,
to guide decisions before any development occurs. The Texas AgriLife Exrtension Service
Tourism program assists communities, landowners and other businesses with such data.
Skate park: Currently my son and many of his friends must tra.vel to Lewisville or Irving to find
a facility to develop skateboarding like skills rather than use Grapevine streets, school
driveways, inappropriate park structures and other more dangerous areas. With the closure of
Woodward Skate Park in the mall, please consider a Grapevine skate park similar to these
facilities.
Dog park: My family and I must now travel to Lewisville or Southlake's Bob Jones Park to
participate in a dog park. This type of facility seems to be consistent with Grapevine's family
focus and would be a fun facility bringing together not only canine citizens but human ones as
well.
Pedestrian/cycling trails: As administrator for the Texas Trails Network and director of the
Texas Trails and Active Living Statewide conference, I would be happy to provide information
about how a comprehensive pedestrian trails system brings economic and quality of life
benefits. Our trail system is top notch,but as a active cyclist I cannot effectively reach shopping,
medical and entertainment locations.
Please accept my apologies for being absent, but family commitments on Tuesday make it
difficult to attend the council meetings.
Resp tfully
° G+� 5/17/2011
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