CCP 02-24-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 3 41 Frischman stated she wanted to get some discussion started about this item. Budzynski felt that if the skate park was closed; what would stop residents from closing the sliding hill or skating rink. We want to attack the problem. Too many kids are staying inside playing video game. These kids are using the park and getting exercise. He sees it as a pretty good thing. Frischman stated that in some discussion with Public Safety members, if we take the skate park out, it doesn't necessarily eradicate that behavior, it just moves it. As a Commission we need to be cognitive of this. If we cannot managethis behavior, where are we moving it? Samuelson felt this is for the kids, we need to do everything we can to have things they can grow on, and things to keep them busy. She would hate to see it go. Frischman asked the Commissioners if anyone has spent time up there. Frischman stated she has been there quite a bit with her kids and she does see what residents are concerned about. She has some concerns; but feels there may be a better way to manage what is going on up there. Meyer stated he has been around the area. He asked if there has been any concern 40 in the skating rink area? Youth football plays there too. It seems that it is not the park, but a skateboard area issue. He can see where problems develop. He also sees on the latest petition there are parents who want to keep the skate park. Budzynski stated he has been there for adult softball. He has not seen any issues in the skate park area when he has been there. Trevorrow wondered if much of it could be perception. It is a busy area. In the summer he bikes there almost everyday. Think it is a good idea to have the Police stop in there now and then. Perhaps we could get some of the staff at the Pike Lake Center to help with this issue. He has talked with kids in the neighborhood that use the park. If it is taken away, where will they be able to go? That area is heavily used. It may be getting worn out. Breuer stated it is due for replacement in 2010. Trevorrow said it is a popular sport and it is not going away. These kids have talent. What were the issues mentioned on the petition they were concerned about? Breuer stated: 1. Vandalism, 2. Fighting, 3. Excessive littering and other illegal activities resulting in numerous police calls. Norton asked if Police calls to this park are any more than at any other park? 41 Breuer said we can obtain that information, but she did not obtain it for this meeting. We did gather that information for Hansen. She believes the calls were a little higher than other parks, but then Hansen in the largest park in the City. Breuer said, if we got those numbers, what would we compare them to?