(408) 730-7516

                                                                    July 30, 1998

Ms. Pamela Goyan Kittler
838 Rubis Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94087

Dear Ms. Kittler:

The purpose of this letter is two-fold. First, to thank you once again for agreeing to meet with City staff on July 23, 1998, to discuss neighborhood concerns regarding the use of Las Palmas Park. My experience has been that the best outcome to issues such as these is often achieved by residents and staff working together.

The second purpose is to memorialize the basic content of our meeting, and to outline where we go from here.

Those attending the July 23, 1998, meeting were as follows:

Representing Neighborhood Residents (in alphabetical order):
D.P. (Pete) Contostavlos, 679 Erie Drive
Pamela Goyan Kittler, 838 Rubis Drive
Larry Moulton, 839 Stella Court
Peggy Quillinan, 678 Georgetown Court

Representing City Staff:
Curtis Black, Acting Superintendent of Parks
Glenn Hannon, Senior Leisure Services Coordinator
Dave Lewis, Public Safety Lieutenant
Scott Morton, Parks Supervisor
Robert Walker, Director, Parks and Recreation
Regan Williams, Director, Public Safety

We talked a bit about the difference between concerns of the general neighborhood and those of individual residents. We agreed that certain issues—such as localized noise generated by barking dogs, "astro jumpers", use of the "recreation building" after 9:00 p.m., and use of the park dumpster—were best handled directly with those neighbors living immediately adjacent to the park. There was an acknowledgement that there were trade-offs associated with living immediately adjacent to a park, and that certain noises such as these were to be expected to some degree.

There was also some discussion regarding the fact that while Las Palmas Park does serve as a neighborhood park, it also serves as a special use facility (by virtue of the Tennis Center). Residents indicated they have no concerns regarding the Tennis Center’s operation. In fact, they were aware that three additional courts would be constructed in the near future—and for the most part (aside from occasional tournaments which the residents accepted) the Tennis Center and its patrons did not contribute noticeably to the problems the neighborhood was experiencing.

We discussed at length three general neighborhood concerns regarding Las Palmas Park: traffic/parking issues; non-localized noise; and general overcrowding. We identified the fact that these issues are interrelated in many ways, with traffic and noise problems generally a direct result of the overall amount of use in the park.

We also discussed the distinction between park policies and the enforcement of those policies. We reviewed the problems and practical implications associated with enforcement efforts, and agreed that to the degree possible, solutions should be pursued which minimize the need for additional enforcement.

Those representing the neighborhood requested that the City consider the following actions:

• Ban catering equipment.
• Ban "Astro-jumps" (enclosed trampolines/jumpers).
• Ban amplified music.
• Ban live, loud music.
• Ban public announcement (p.a.) systems.
• Ban use of large tents and canopies.
• Ban "large" events.
• Raise fees for non-residents (i.e., discourage non-Sunnyvale use of the park).
• Impose substantial fines on those who break park rules.
• Hire staff to enforce park rules and regulations.

City staff suggested that the following actions also be reviewed and considered:

• Install speed bumps at the Spinosa entrance to the Park.
• Ban parking along the western perimeter of the Spinosa parking lot.
• Ban dog park use during early morning hours (prior to 8:00 a.m.).
• Ban all alcoholic use.
• Stop permitting park picnic and spray pool facilities altogether.
• Stop permitting picnic and spray pool facilities to Non-Sunnyvale residents.
• Reduce the maximum number of people allowed to permit a picnic facility.
• Reduce the number of picnic tables available for large group use.
• Increase the number of picnic tables available for isolated individual/family use.
• Implement a "park watch" program via Public Safety.

The next step will be for staff to more thoroughly review and consider each of these possible actions. By August 31, 1998, I hope to be able to convey to you a brief synopsis of staff’s assessment of each of the ideas listed above, with specific identification of:

1. Those items, if any, which require further review and consideration, beyond the August 31 date.
2. Those items which staff plans to implement, either on a permanent or pilot basis, and when.
3. Those items which staff does not plan to implement and why.

If I’ve missed something, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 730-7516. Thank you once again for your time and effort to date, and for helping us to improve our service to your neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Walker, Director
Parks and Recreation

RAW/bld

c: City Manager
    Parks and Recreation Commission
    All Meeting Attendees

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