HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2017 - Brooks-SchulkeCOUNCIL MEETING: I — IC)— 1} IREC.EIVE
ITEM NO.: a&,J c. o,n,r,
JAS! 9
SLO CITY CLERK
From: Sally/Jim BROOKS-SCHULKE
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 1:39 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: Budget
To the Honorable Mayor Harmon and City Council Members,
I am respectfully requesting that you support 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 park acres per 1,000 residents. Currently, it
appears, that there are only 3.3 acres of parks per 1,000 residents (as referenced in LUCE
EI).
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 home owner in San Luis Obispo since 2012, choosing to retire here after a
long and careful search of California communities. Two years ago I was introduced to
pickleball, and enjoy it because it is fun, offers exercise, and socialization. For anyone that
likes a "ball" sport, pickleball is an activity for all ages and abilities and is easily learned. I
sincerely appreciate the efforts of the council and Parks and Recreation department to find
us some temporary venues. As secretary of the SLO Pickleball Club, I see by our sign -in
waivers, that we consistently have over 115 players every week in our 15 allowed hours.
This is on unfenced, double striped, shared courts: imagine our attendance if we had
dedicated fenced courts. Currently, many players I know choose to play at Soto, Morro Bay
and Cambria because they have dedicated courts, or at Shell beach fenced double use (with
tennis) courts to avoid the long wait for a turn to play as seen at Meadow and French Parks.
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 players, and
those who attend school or are employed during the day, 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".
I
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,
Sally Brooks-Schulke