HomeMy WebLinkAboutExtended Open Space Public Comment, Beattie
Christian, Kevin
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Sent:
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Extension hours for Cerro San Luis
Good Afternoon,
I wanted to add my opinion to the debate regarding item 10 that was on the 10/17/17 agenda: extending access hours
to Cerro San Luis.
I am a young professional and San Luis County native. After leaving this area for 'greener pastures' in my 20's, I later
returned for a trial run. One of the only reasons I decided to stay in San Luis Obispo, despite the exorbitantly high
housing costs and lack of adequately salaried positions, is the abundance of open space that so kindly lends itself to the
activities that I love and need.
I am an avid user of the trails on Cerro San Luis as well as those in every other open space in San Luis Obispo. The hiking,
running and climbing that I can enjoy because of these spaces is critical not only to my physical well being, but my
mental and emotional health. I have an entire community of friends who use these spaces for their 'recreation', but
every single one of them attests to the fact that these activities keep them going when the going gets tough. Our
demographic finds it very stressful to live in this county because housing costs are so high and often what you get is sub
par. Add this on top of lingering student debt and the day to day grind and it can often feel suffocating.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to have the option to get off work and go for a trail run, hike or bike ride. It
keeps us motivated, energized, healthy. It keeps us in San Luis, trying to eke out a living and start families. Since the city
started enforcing open space closures an hour after sunset, it's been incredibly stressful to try and squeeze in any
physical activity and with the time changes it becomes downright impossible many days. What used to be my stress
relief has turned into a source of stress. Keeping the trails open after dark would allow me and many like me ample time
to enjoy activity without feeling as though I am breaking the rules and risking a ticket, just so I could de-stress from the
work day.
We can understand the need to regulate after-dark entry, but for every 1 person who has caused problems during this
time there are 10 more who just wanted to breath some fresh air and get a little exercise so they could go back to their
family a calmer, happier person.
I fully support the council adopting the city staff plan to have a trial extension of hours for Cerro San Luis. I believe we
can find an adequate and reasonable compromise that allows citizens to utilize space for ample period of time beyond
sunset.
Sincerely,
Patricia Beattie
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