November 1, 2006

Large community turnout for park facility re-use discussion

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The city’s Community Services Division of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services held a meeting Sept. 30 to discuss re-use for several facilities in Council Districts 10, 9, 6 and 1. Close to 100 people attended. They were divided into specific groups that included Bramhall and Houge parks as well Sherman Oaks School.

A large number of community members attended the group session to figure out ways to keep Houge Park’s buildings open. Photos by Carol Rosen

About 10 to 15 people attended the Bramhall session while upwards of 30 discussed possible community groups to take over management of Houge. Besides a number of officials from PRNS, District 9 City Councilmember Judy Chirco and District 6 council candidate Jim Spence attended.

The meeting was designed to get community feedback to present at a study session with the City Council on Friday, Dec. 8 in the afternoon. It began with a brief overview of the facility re-use strategy. They then divided into four groups to answer four questions.

The first question dealt with whether PRNS captured the points of interest and recommendations from the meetings held last spring. The second asks about the feasibility of potential alternative uses for facilities and which option [local neighborhood association use, transition to a community based organization for operation; continued PRNS operation, convert the facility to open space or park] is most preferred.

The third question asks what services a community-based organization should supply, whether nonprofit or neighborhood providers. And, finally, what impacts the re-use facilities would have on the neighborhood including public safety, recreation services and continued usefulness as well as restroom usage.

During public comment, several of those attending the Sept. 30 session spoke out. One asked how the city can have money for everything else—including $4 million for a race—but not for their own citizen’s local recreation. “This is ridiculous!” she said.

Another commented that city council members tricked voters. “They’re building big community centers within the community but not within walking distance of many of the people,” said Lisa Weiland, who with neighbors is looking to keep amenities such as restrooms and equipment rooms at Bramhall Park in Willow Glen.

Those attending the Bramhall session noted the park is heavily used for a number of activities. For example, there is lawn bowling seven days per week; bowlers typically visit for organized bowling five days per week between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park is also home to year-round lawn bowling tournaments.

Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services employees work with the group interested in keeping Bramhall Park and its buildings open.

Area residents want the restrooms to stay open. They are used constantly, not just by the lawn bowlers, but by the Children’s Theater, those using the tennis courts and the various Little Leagues that practice and play their games at the park.

During the final session, when the separate groups reported back to the PRNS officials as well as other community groups, the Bramhall group representative said it would be a good idea to take the park off the re-use list. The park is well used, she said, the children’s theater meets there in the winter and the bathrooms, which were remodeled just about two years ago, are in use year-round.

Closing the Sherman Oaks Center will dramatically impact the school, said the group representative. Besides providing a meeting place, the center offers a place for the students to eat lunch—the school has no cafeteria—and provides a meeting place for neighborhood groups.

Houge Park is the meeting place for several different groups including an astronomy club, table tennis players and square dancers. The building holds 80 people and offers 10-15 display tables which aren’t available anywhere else, according to the group. The building also houses items used for adopt-a-park.

“The building and the park are a real gem. Both are used well during the day and needed,” said the Houge representative.

Those who were unable to attend meetings should check the Web site—www.sanjoseca.gov and click on Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services—to find out more or to send an e-mail to make their feelings known.

The Dec. 8 meeting with council members is a study session and the public is welcome. Previous public comments will be added to the recent ones. PRNS will be conducting building, fiscal, public safety and cost analyses for its final report.