For years now, the
neighbors in the vicinity of Monterey Park in Capitola, CA have been
speaking out in opposition to proposals of a 9,000sf and a 6,000sf
skatepark at Monterey Park. The City of Capitola already has a
9,000sf skatepark constructed at McGregor Park,
just 3/4 of a mile
away from Monterey Park. Building a skatepark of any size at
Monterey Park is considered by many a misuse and misappropriation of
public lands
and the public trust. There have been over 50 unique complaints
from
individuals opposing the proposed skatepark, in writing, in the public
register, and growing! Read what some of the neighbors have been
saying...
Please
contact us at any time if
you would like
to add your concerns to the list below. Every opinion counts!
Samples of the current written sentiment from more than fifty (50) neighbors living close to Monterey Park, regular users of Monterey Park, two (2) attorneys representing opposition to the proposed skatepark, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the entire PE staff at New Brighton Middle School and two (2) Soquel Union Elementary School District representatives is as follows:
- Former Council member Kirby Nicol sent an email to the Capitola
City Council
suggesting that something "like the facility at Fredrick Street Park"
[in Santa Cruz] would be a more appropriate design. "The design
currently under consideration is far more robust that what was
envisioned by the 2012 CCC. Its features include brick-like
areas, jumps and grinds that tend to be noisy and
dangerous..........hardly suitable for 'beginners'."
06-02-16 Kirby Nicol
- St. Joseph's Catholic Church sent in a letter
just prior to the Planning Commission meeting of March 31, 2016,
stating in part, "It is obvious that such a park will attract more
skate boarders to this area. I am very concerned that this will
result in an increase of such activity on our Church grounds.
Unless the Planning Commission can guarantee that those using such a
park will not enter onto our property, I am opposed to this project."
03-30-16 Fr. Wayne Dawson
- "Submitted on behalf of Friends of
Monterey Park, the law firm of Wittwer/Parkin stated in eleven (11)
pages of correspondence that "the
DEIR is fatally flawed. The DEIR must be corrected and then
recirculated for public review before the City can proceed with
consideration of the Project." "...the DEIR must be revised and
be consistent in its portrayal of the project description so the true
impacts of the project can be assessed."
01-08-16 William P. Parkin, Attorney at Law
Refer to the Community Development department site at http://www.cityofcapitola.org/communitydevelopment/page/proposed-monterey-avenue-skate-park for this document and others relating to this proposed second public skatepark.
- "I would like to see the EIR contain a list of all species living
in Monterey Avenue Park and how you propose to protect them.
Sound travels in all directions. How will you measure sound that is carried up into the trees above the proposed development? Birds of prey such as red-shouldered hawks, red-tailed hawks, and endangered peregrine falcons perch in those trees. They need the height to hunt. Noise can have an extremely detrimental impact on these birds and others that call Monterey Avenue Park home."
01-08-16 D. Harris
- "Skate parks are noisy.
These noises are not natural
ambient sounds. Skate park noise is jarring and disruptive to
children and adults who are in school and in their homes.
The draft EIR does not address the cumulative nature of negative effects. Increased noise, traffic, and parking problems will accumulate and compound the stress of people in the area impacted by the proposed development, especially considering another skate park is 1200 yards nearby. Capitola needs to preserve the health and safety of its residential neighborhoods, schools, and parks. This proposed skate park does not do that, and the draft EIR is missing a great many areas of concern."
01-08-16 N. Lane
- "By now we have heard opposition to the Skate Park Proposal at
Monterey Park from a number of folks from differing backgrounds,
expertise and reasons for their opposition.
I keep wondering at what point do we listen to those with particular knowledge who advise against a proposal? When do we listen to those who are trying to explain this to people who seem to want what they want when they want it regardless of how it impacts others? This proposed location is just poorly chosen. It is just a bad idea. It is a seriously bad idea for the school due to its close proximity to classrooms and the campus."
01-08-16 C. Isjust
- "Children, the elderly, and people with health problems are
particularly sensitive to noise pollution. New Brighton School is
adjacent to Monterey Park. Children exposed to noise experience hearing
loss, speech delays, difficulty understanding spoken language,
difficulty concentrating, social and behavioral difficulties, and poor
growth. New Brighton school also has
Special Ed classes, whose students
are especially vulnerable to noise. Noise will negatively impact the
teachers directly and also their ability to teach.
Having attended school on the NBMS campus, I can attest to the way sound carries. There will be echoing of sound on the campus among the buildings. How do you propose to protect children from the harmful impacts of the noise? Who will pay for these procedures? Will the school have to provide additional soundproofing in the buildings? What about on the campus? Children will be exposed to noise on campus outdoors. What happens if the proposed mitigation fails to provide adequate protection, requiring additional measures to be taken after the proposed development is in place? Who will provide or pay for that -- the city, the school, or the developer?"
01-08-16 T. Bryce
- "The proposal for a skate park
gives every appearance of a
Business Venture impermissibly utilizing public land, and not motivated
by a concern for the children, or the Monterey Park Community at large."
"Who Are the Proponents of the Skate Park? The rumor is that local commercial venture(s) are funding all costs associated with the building of the proposed skate park. If true, the City has an obligation to identify and disclose to the public those ventures, their level of involvement and funding. Further, the City must immediately disclose and seek to avoid all potential conflicts of interest."
01-07-16 T. Wagner, Esq. on behalf of the Wagner Family Trust
- "We have avoided recent public meetings regarding this issue due
to biased behavior on the part of certain moderators in the past
earlier meetings (Capitola City Council members by the way), and have
refused to be part of their agendas since then. This issue has
also severely divided neighbors and has led to animosity as well.
We are sincerely opposed to a skate park development at Monterey Park. This site is simply not appropriate for a skate park, as recently echoed by Ashley Edgar and many others at the recent Educ. board meeting.
And yet we are fully supportive of youth activities."
01-07-16 D. Betterley
- In response to the Draft EIR: "I am [submitting] a 2 page
document on the benefits of trees in our changing climate and what we
know now about the benefits of trees for communities. It is from
Canopy.org and speaks to the benefits in urban settings in bay area
communities (specifically Palo Alto). You may read more at: http://canopy.org/about-trees/the-benefits-of-trees/
I appreciate the City of Capitola’s Tree ordinance that requires two
trees planted for each tree removed. Thus there would be more
trees but sadly there is no replacement for mature trees removed
unnecessarily. I think Canopy.org addresses specific benefits of
trees in certain locations and provides a lot of insight as to the
benefits and their locations."
01-05-16 S. Coulton
- "You need to postpone Monterey park until McGregor is up and
running. Do not build a second skate park until you realize the
expenses and maintenance that is required for one park before you build
a second. Monterey park should not be considered as a
prospect until at least 2 years of McGregor being opened has
passed. Let the city learn from the first park before building a
second. To open two parks at the same time is setting us up for failure
and money spent that is much needed elsewhere."
01-05-16 B. Hickman
- "The sound barriers are on the North & South
ends of the proposed skatepark but not on the East and West sides. This
is a problem
because of the classrooms near the West side of the proposed skatepark,
including the classroom for special education.
Middle schoolers in general are easily distracted from classroom
activities on the best days, but this goes double for the students with
learning disabilities, whose classroom is only 140 feet from to the
Western
side of the proposed skatepark. Since
the park will be open from 8 a.m. until dark, the noise generated by
the
features (especially the river rock feature which was not included in
the
original plans and should NOT be added at all) will make it almost
impossible
for any teaching to happen in that classroom, as well as in nearby
classrooms.
This may not be a problem for the skateboard manufacturing interests
involved,
but it is definitely a problem for our students."
01-04-16 T. Tetter
- "The Draft EIR plan doesn’t include any extensive study of the
problems it will create with the New Brighton Middle school and more
importantly the effect it would create for the Special Needs classroom
which is directly adjacent to the proposed site. Those children’s
play area is directly adjacent to the proposed site and would cause a
serious disruption to organized outdoor playtime.
We are seniors who spend time in the park walking, almost daily, because it is the last open park space in our area. Having this noisy disruptive skate park would curtail many people our age having that space available. It’s time the City Council considered the feelings of seniors, the people who pay taxes and DO vote... I’d like to think that we matter too."
01-03-16 G. Bentley
- "I am very much opposed to the proposed skate park, to be built,
on
Monterey Ave. I have been using the park grounds, several times a week,
since the early 1980's and very much appreciate the serenity of the
park, the birds singing in the trees, the ability to walk around in a
safe and beautiful area...etc. I am appalled at the potential, of
the
beautiful grove of mature trees, being cut down in the name of "public
safety"!
Noise is also a huge concern."
01-03-16 Rose G.
- "There are numerous examples of skateparks that have failed
because of placement in inappropriate locations. Noise is a critical issue!
Monterey Park
would be another inappropriate location for a public skatepark.
The neighbors are only allowed 2-3 minutes to address their concerns
at City meetings, yet the negative impacts can last a lifetime.
If we cannot learn from past mistakes we are doomed to repeat them."
12-27-2015 Richard Lippi, Founder & Program Director of POPP
- "Capitola city council, listen to the people who
put
you in office... Your main purpose should be to provide a safe
community, maintain and improve our infrastructure and listen to the
citizens of this community. Common sense should prevail
here... In the meantime, projects that have been approved
continue to fall behind schedule. Yes I do live within a block of
Monterey Park and am opposed to another skate park to be built at this
site."
11-29-2015 Dan B.
- "Skateparks are lousy neighbors. They are noisy and
ugly -- particularly if they get a lot of graffiti which is fairly
common."
11-29-2015 A. Globus
- "Absolutely against a skate board park at the Monterey
park. There is no need for a second [skate]park so close to the
soon to be opened McGregor park. Monterey park is a beautiful
open space. It would be a crime to ruin it for the selfish interest of
a few citizens. If anything, an addition of a special needs
section would be a good improvement. I live within a block of
Monterey park."
11-29-2015 A. Benvenuti
- "Does Capitola really need two skateparks? The proposed
park at Monterey Park would be funded by Richard Novak, owner of Santa
Cruz Skateboards, but it will be maintained, policed and repaired by
the city of Capitola. Do we really need to spend the money and
other resources allocated for all residents of Capitola for two
skateparks and a minority of people who enjoy that sport?"
11-27-2015 Santa Cruz Sentinel Opinion by L. Steingrube
At
the February
11, 2015 City Council meeting on the proposed 6,000sf
skatepark at Monterey Park, more than eighteen (18)
members of the public
spoke out in opposition to the proposed skatepark. The majority
of these speakers live adjacent to, or very near, Monterey Park.
An additional seven (7) speakers were "undeclared" at the
02-11-2015 meeting but have since joined POPP and Friends of
Monterey Park in opposing a skatepark at Monterey Park.
Prior to the February 11, 2015 City Council meeting on the proposed 6,000sf skatepark at Monterey the following correspondence was received. All of these writers were opposed to the 6,000sf skatepark:
- "If you build a second skateboard facility in Monterey
Park, the residents of our neighborhood would be surrounded by noise
and traffic -- and that would be overwhelming. The Capitola
General Plan takes the matter of noise very seriously. Please
keep in mind that noise is additive. As a psychologist, distinguished scholar,
and
published author in the field of acoustic perception, I can say
with certainty that a skateboard facility in Monterey Park is a
dangerously unhealthy proposal."
01-31-15 Francine Frome, Ph.D.
- "What about the little girls in our community who don't
skate? They will be among the losers if you allow a skatepark in
Monterey Park. As our population grows, we need to cherish our
neighborhood parks for the respite they provide. In this way, our
neighborhood park, Monterey Park, serves people of all ages and all
interests."
02-05-2015 Helen Bryce
- "A skatepark in Monterey Park is a bad idea.
Skateparks do not belong where people are trying to sleep, relax, and
spend peaceful time with their families -- in other words where people
live."
02-04-2015 T. Bryce
- "Monterey Park is behind my house. ...not everyone
works 9AM to 5PM. I am working 9 PM to 5 AM six nights a
week. I sleep during the day. ...a skatepark would make the
neighborhood too noisy."
02-02-2015 D. Harris
- "Our backyard backs up to this park & we love the sound
of adults & children for what it was intended... Since a few
people have offered to pay for construction doesn't seem right to throw
out the original plans & voters desires."
02-05-2015 K. & E. Schweifler
- "Despite having a Capitola Skate park confirmed and being
built at McGregor, they insist that another should still be build at
Monterey Park, almost literally in my back yard. For them, it is
all of the benefits and none of the consequences."
01-30-2015 C. Matteis
- "...there is the issue of the best use of the park
itself. Right now, people picnic and play on the grassy
knoll. You could put in a picnic table and everyone in the
neighborhood would love it. But most people are happy with it as
it is. People also sit on the knoll to watch the games in the
park. It would be a travesty to remove the knoll and put in
skateboards, especially since you're building a skateboard park on
McGregor."
02-01-2015 N. Lane
- "Please note; The City council did not approve the Monterey
Skate Park 2 1/2 years ago. Again, before we add another use to
Monterey Avenue, we need to fix the existing problems."
02-03-2015 C. Devlin
- "Please vote no on a skate park on Monterey Ave. My
opinion is all about safety. Just like when the skateboards were
outlawed in the village."
02-03-2015 M.B. Clamon
- "A Monterey Park location is a proposal that carries a risk
of potential detriment to the quality of life and property values of
the neighborhood while benefiting a rather narrow interest group with a
large proportion of members who live outside of Capitola. Quality
of life is how Capitola leads other cities. These folks are
proposing to uglify a large part of an all too rare, open, green space
in Capitola, exchanging it for yet more concrete and chain link
fencing. Not all kids skate. It is not exactly the safest
activity."
02-03-2015 Doug & Christine Bowman
- "Does Capitola really need two skate parks...? The
General Plan for the City of Capitola states that the City "Has a duty to preserve the character of
residential neighborhoods." A skatepark in Monterey Park
would not do that."
January 2015 Berg Family
- "I looked at some of the research. All of it was done
by pro skateboarding organizations. The conclusion that I have
arrived at is that a skate park at Monterey Park brings a host of
concerns for those living near it as well as for the city which then
needs to oversee and finance [it] for years to come..."
02-02-2015 P. McCollough
- "In [studies], park staff at 12 sites in OR & WA,
mentioned that a key aspect was need for involving local police /
sheriff for policing & enforcement at their skate park facilities,
and ongoing maintenance costs."
02-01-2015 D. Betterly
- "It would...create an "attractive nuisance" for New Brighton
Middle school as older skaters and those teens who are in Alternative
Ed programs and don't attend daily classes could be coming and going to
the park during school hours. Having been a high school teacher
for 35 years and a frequent substitute teacher currently, I can't
imagine trying to teach a lesson with the noise and visual distraction
of a skate park."
02-02-2015 Lisa and Dan Steingrube
- "I
am writing to express my concern regarding the Skate
Board Park that is being proposed...and very much AGAINST it. The
Residents who are proposing for the Skate Board Park have been
very INCONSISTENT on details of this new skateboard park, which is a
big red flag in my book."
02-02-2015 J. McKenzie
- "The neighborhood is already heavily impacted by existing
facilities, such as: the New Brighton Middle School (NBMS), the
Performing Arts facility at NBMS, Saint Joseph's Church, Cliffwood
Heights neighborhood church, and numerous sports activities
occurring
in the Monterey Avenue Park. Skateparks are best suited for nonresidential
areas such as the McGregor Drive area."
01-28-2015 M. and B. Arroyo
- "I do not oppose Skate Parks. I do like to take my
young grandsons to them when they visit... But I think I have
'hung' enough at skate parks with them during the day to hear the noise
and see the older park users may not be what you want in this
neighborhood and near a school."
01-26-2015 S. Coulston
- "How much more noise do we need? The idea that a
beautiful, peaceful park will contain a skate board area just a few
blocks from another skate park seems totally unnecessary. It is
not hard to figure out that these skateboarders will be up and down
Monterey Avenue and into the village. We have had a continuous
problem [at] Brookvale Terrace Mobile Home Park with
skateboarders
jumping our fence and skateboarding down the hill, just missing cars
and walking residents. The presence of a skateboard park so close
will surely increase that activity."
01-27-2015 C. Bentley
- "For the proponents, it's not really about a skate
park. It's about convenience. At Monterey they can tell
their middle-schooler to go to the park after school and they'll get
picked up in an hour or two. To get this convenience the plan is
to steamroller the park neighbors. My advice to the council: do
not approve a second skatepark before the first one is built and has
been used for a year or two. Then, should a second park be
appropriate,... Put it where the folks on the other side of the creek
can get to it easily without going through the village or freeway
traffic."
01-25-2015 A. Globus
- "While attending an informal meeting at the site this last
weekend, there was an adult softball game in progress. The people
attending the meeting were gathered at the proposed site of the
skateboard park when all of a sudden, the softball players started
yelling. A high fly ball had been hit in the direction of the
gathering. The fly ball actually struck one of the members of the
meeting in the wrist. She had to leave the meeting to get ice to
reduce the swelling."
01-25-2015 L. and E. Borger
- "We are strongly opposed to a second skate park being
constructed at Monterey Park in such close proximity to McGregor.
We feel it is unnecessary and will negatively impact our
neighborhood We share many of the same concerns that our
neighbors have raised: Noise, increased traffic, loss of green space,
parking congestion [and more]"
01-25-2015 S. & C. MacEwen
- "As I am sure you know we have stringent policies and
procedures regarding changes or modifications to homes because
according to city building officials, 'the City needs to ensure that we
maintain the look and integrity of the neighborhood.' I can't
imagine a better way to negatively impact the look and integrity of our
neighborhood than putting in another skate park. [signed] A very
concerned property owner."
01-24-2015 B. Bartle
- "Our residence is adjacent to Monterey Park, and we are
concerned about the negative impact a skate park will have upon our
neighborhood. Noise, traffic and lower property values are just a
few of the issues that elevate the skate park into a nuisance."
01-21-2015 L. H. and T. Hsu
- "2
very well spoken nice young women appeared at my door to tell me they
are again requesting the skate park be located at Monterey Ave.
They explained the downsizing of the park, that the park would be
designed for children up to 14 yrs of age, that it would not be noisy.
I do not oppose the baseball teams and soccer players who already use the park. I would not be opposed to more equipment to encourage full body exercise in the park. A par course perhaps? I am not opposed to picnic tables, a better running track, things that a wider segment of the population may use. I do oppose the unnecessary covering of green space with 6000 ft of concrete to accommodate a small segment of the population who do think a skate park is a necessity and must be located across the street from my house."
01-12-2015 J. Radcliffe
- "I live 100 yards from Monterey Ave Park. I feel there
is no need for duplication of any of these venues in Capitola."
01-14-2015 R. Mayer
- "Please keep a skatepark out of Monterey Park."
01-11-2015 J. Simari
- "When Dennis Norton first met with area residents at the
Monterey Ave Park I was for the skatepark he described, under 6,000 sq.
ft. and for young elementary school age kids. Unfortunately the
group that wants to put in the skate park wants a lot more space,
bathrooms and a place for kids to skate and hang out after school
unsupervised.
The parks in our neighborhood are small neighborhood parks that have been developed and are currently being used by the people who live or go to school near the parks.
Not only does my house back up to the park, my work office faces the park."
01-11-2015 M. Sanders
- "I was disappointed to read that building a skate park in
Monterey Avenue Park is once again being considered by the Council
despite construction of a wonderful multi-use park on McGregor Drive,
which includes a large skate area. I thought this matter had been
resolved. This is not the highest or best use of this land, nor
does it serve the best interests of the majority of Capitola residents"
01-10-2015 R. Gaither
- "Do the people wanting this skateboard park in Monterey Park
live near? We in this Monterey Ave neighborhood do not want a
skateboard park. Pick another site or not but not on Monterey
Avenue. Voters and taxpayers will be heard. Listen."
01-25-2015 D. Sta(?) & P.
At
the January 26, 2012 City Council meeting on the proposed 9,000sf
skatepark at Monterey Park, the Assistant Superintendent of Business
Services of the Soquel Union Elementary School District
spoke out in opposition to the proposed 9,000sf skatepark along with
thirteen (13) concerned members of the Monterey Park neighborhood.
