HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/4/2020 Item 4, Backman (2)
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Vickie Backman <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Inaccuracy presented by staff at meeting tonight - verified
Attachments:2020-03-04 20.37.27.jpg; 2020-03-04 20.37.48.jpg
SLO Parks & Rec Commission:
Your staff member, Greg (sorry can't recall his last name and doesn't appear that the staff directory is
available any more), made an inaccurate statement, and then repeated it emphatically. I would like to
provide a correction.
Greg said that he checked and there was not an unlocked net available. I live directly across the street
from the court at the corner of Poppy & Morning Glory. I walked over to the court with my trusty
headlamp and cellphone when I got home. I wanted to ascertain whether or not a net was unlocked
and available. Look, I was an engineer at Diablo, I believe in trust but verify.
There are four nets there, three expensive heavy duty black ones that are definitely locked with heavy
bike locks. And one older Bianchi green one with a usable net tucked in behind the three, immediately
next to the fence. There was absolutely no lock on that net, or around any part of it. Pictures of the two
ends of the net attached. There's a third picture caught in ether between my phone and computer
somewhere that I took from outside the fence, but I'm tired of waiting for it to show up. My phone
camera has night sight, the pics are really amazing for being dark.
I know its there, when my family visits. we go over and hit balls a bit. Even my mother did, two years
ago at Christmas, as 82 years of age. And its not locked, and I don't know the combination(s) or have
the keys... I only play occasionally.
Seriously, the city should provide a couple community nets for this purpose. I know the pickleball group
has had nets broken, and tried to weld them. I've seen them.
And yes, there are younger working people playing, along with kids, just about every afternoon on the
top courts. I see community folks using the old net down below in evenings as well. I think they use it to
teach friends and practice. There are some kids in our neighborhood that were playing over school
vacations, and one 10 year old is flat out wicked. They played with the pickleball club, rotating in like
everyone. I'm pretty sure they aren't members. I've played with a number of new players, including the
pastor from Arroyo Grande who only has one arm. Played his first game there with him. And now he's
much better than me, he's getting good!
Vickie Backman,
"French Park is my manicured front lawn"
Poppy Lane, SLO
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