HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2017 - HagenCE IVED
,20UNCIL MEETING:_ -1U� I }, JAN 0 9 2017
From: LA Hagen [
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 1:23 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil - slocity.org>
Subject: City of San Luis Obispo - Parks & Recreation Commission Planning Document Update
To the Honorable Mayor Harmon and City Council Members,
I am requesting your support of the Parks & Recreation Commission's goal to update the Parks & Recreation
Element planning document, which is now over 15 year old.
The Parks & Recreation Element calls for 10 acres per 1,000 residents. Currently, as I understand, there are only 3.3
acres of parks per 1,000 residents (as referenced in LUCE EI). Many of the City's existing parks and recreational
needs have gone unmet for many years or have used 3.3 acres of parks per 1,000 residents ratio in its planning.
With the continued growth of San Luis Obispo, I feel that it is imperative that the decision makers have a clear and
common understanding of the recreational needs of our community. An updated planning document will help to
identify current goals and facilitate the decision making process.
I have been a resident of San Luis Obispo since 1983, residing here longer than I have lived anywhere else and
consider this to be my home. I have been a life-long tennis player and last summer I was introduced to and found
pickleball to be my sport of choice for fun, recreation, and socialization. For anyone that likes a "ball" sport,
pickleball is an activity for all ages and abilities and is easily learned. To show my appreciation for the efforts of the
city of SLO and the club members in bringing pickleball to our city, I have dedicated my Wednesday afternoons
since August 2016 to help introduce others to the sport at the Ludwick Community Center. Thank you for providing
this venue opportunity for our residents!
San Luis Obispo needs more opportunities and venues for pickleball play. Currently pickleball play is limited to
city -approved morning activity. Routinely, during the "allowed" times, five days a week, there are twice as many
players as the temporary courts will accommodate. We are often joined by players visiting SLO, those just traveling
through, and Cal Poly students missing their hometown courts. Weekend and evening warriors and those who attend
school have little opportunity and are essentially excluded from pickleball activity in San Luis Obispo. Permanent
and dedicated pickleball courts allowing drop-in play will help to alleviate the congestion and provide opportunities
for all residents to participate. I am requesting that this be a part of "The Plan".
Since moving to San Luis Obispo the area has grown beyond my imagination. I am asking for your consideration
and support of the Parks and Recreation Commission to update their planning document to reflect this growth and to
include, as a priority, permanent pickleball opportunities and facilities for the residents of San Luis Obispo.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community!
Respectfully,
Linda Hagen