Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Study Session Wednesday, April 26, 2017 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Panetta Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra, Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo, Intern Uebele, Recording Secretary Nash CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 1. Receive Report on Pickleball in Monterey (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton gave a presentation on pickleball and thanked Intern Uebele for her work on this item. She noted the City has 10 outdoor tennis courts, one outdoor pickleball court, and the Sports Center has badminton, volleyball, and pickleball lined on the same court. She said the Commission approved two pickleball courts at Via Paraiso Park; one has been lined and one is lined in chalk. She also noted that pickleball is in the Summer/Fall 2017 Activities Guide with days/times and is a collaboration between the Pickleball Club and the City. She said that pickleball was brought up during the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process and a large number of people requested pickleball. She noted one alternative is to build a new set of pickleball courts, which would cost approximately $100,000 and that does not include ADA, drainage, etc. Another alternative is to improve the Via Paraiso Park courts either through setting priority times for pickleball and tennis, self monitoring, striping the courts in blue or a less contrasting color. It’s fortunate that we have such interest in pickleball and tennis to keep people active; we need to balance all activities and come up with short-term and long-term solutions. Meetings are a good way to get the greatest amount of neighborhood input; a prime example is Montecito Park where we talked to users at the park before any decisions were made. We have competing priorities, competing needs; what does the community value. We will have a field trip this summer to look at sites and review different options. Commissioner Hofmann inquired what the difference is in net heights. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated 2-inches.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Commissioner McCarthy noted that the Recreation Division is offering pickleball and inquired if that is at the Monterey Sports Center. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that is located at Via Paraiso Park. Commissioner McCarthy stated that Hilltop Park has one tennis court; theoretically you can put two pickleball courts there and possibly two more on the basketball court. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if staff looked at the Via Paraiso Park basketball as another location. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said that two pickleball courts could fit there. Jay Zwagerman stated they have 124 signatures on a petition to play pickleball at Via Paraiso Park and 53 of those are from Monterey. San Luis Obispo now has 36 public courts which were developed in a 6-year period; we have the most population playing with the least number of courts. He said there is a NIP proposal to find a 6 court location for pickleball; it draws tourists like golf does. He said pickleball is played every day of the week on the peninsula; a game lasts about 10 minutes, then you switch out players. He feels that sharing courts is fair for both sports; but that priority times need to be designated for both sports. Commissioner Hofmann inquired what the ideal surface is for pickleball. Mr. Zwagerman stated it is pretty close to tennis; there are also tiles and mats they play on as well. Bill Wojtkowski lives in the Via Paraiso Park area; said he supports pickleball at Via Paraiso Park. He said that serious tennis players will not play at Via Paraiso Park because of the court surface; we play at the Monterey Tennis Center. He inquired if there is enough room if you fenced off the left field of the ball field. Pat Parish said she was an avid tennis player up until a few months ago; she went to Via Paraiso Park to play pickleball and is hooked. She said there is a great community building aspect to the sport; they were willing to let me use their equipment; it was a great experience. Allen Rosenthal said he has lived by Via Paraiso Park for 26 years; this park is a multi-user park for many sports; baseball, basketball, soccer, and an area with play equipment. People bring skateboards, bicycles, and dogs onto the courts and it destroys the court and net; the courts need resurfacing because of vandalism. He feels the colored lines need to be simplified; setting time frames for priority play are not valid because the sun goes down before 5:50 p.m.; everyone should have the opportunity to use the court. He said the pickleball players switch out every 10 minutes; there is very limited parking available and creates a hazard in the neighborhood. Pickleball playing is very loud for the neighbors; it’s a very loud sound; this must be considered during public review. He suggested the basketball court is probably the best location because of the sound extrusion; I hope you will take this into consideration. Patty Nerving, pickleball player and nurse; said she understands the health benefits; most think about the benefits from the neck down, I want you to think about the neck up; being active fights off depression, makes you feel right, the culture of pickleball is community, it’s social and fun, boosting moods and sharpens your mind. The shape of the ball makes it spin so you have to think about where the ball will go; you’re more engaged with your mind and body. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Gabriela Clifton lives by Via Paraiso Park; said she’s not against pickleball; it’s a wonderful thing that they’re coming. Our issue is that they have moved in and took over our area. Tennis is an active sport, your heart and whole body is moving; both sports are healthy. We need to find a location that will be fair to everybody; the basketball court might be a good location. She noted there are two abandoned courts by the driving range in Del Rey Oaks and has enough parking. The other situation is that the Recreation Division is advertising pickleball at Via Paraiso Park; poo-pooing the tennis players. I don’t see anybody sticking up for tennis; the pickleball players deserve a place but why Via Paraiso Park. We have played tennis there for many years; please find the pickleball players a place to play and why is it already being advertised before being approved. Coming to you with our hearts full and want this to be fixed; don’t take away our tennis courts. Mike Payan lives on Via Gayuba; plays pickleball and loves it; there’s not a parking problem, there’s room for 10 cars and a lot of the players come together. Of course we want tennis players to have their time. I drive by often and hardly see tennis players there; to put us in another area will leave the courts unused. Jerry Holden, president of local Pickleball Club, said they are pushing 60 members and growing rapidly. The striped lines would remain white for the tennis players and muted lines for pickleball. He said the noise from the pickleball does have a different sound than a tennis ball; there is a new pickleball that we are now using that makes less noise; and there is ample parking at Via Paraiso Park. We are a club and are looking for a place where we can play now; need a pickleball complex in one location; Via Paraiso Park would be a stopgap until we find a location for designated pickleball courts. I appreciate your time and invite you to come out and play and will give you a better idea of what we’re talking about. Emily Parsons, pickleball player; said the United States Tennis Association and inner-college has approved multi-lined courts for multiple sports. Jim Lawton, plays pickleball with this club; said he travels to Santa Cruz to play and has played back east; it is such a growing sport especially for seniors; we love the game and it’s so healthy; gets the elderly out to play. He said in New York they have over 100 pickleball courts; you can play pickleball on any surface; it’s growing faster than any sport out there. Ann Larson, lives off Herrmann Drive, said she walks her dog by the tennis courts everyday; my tennis partners are all over 80 years old; there’s no reason people can’t play tennis as they age; tennis is being played at Via Paraiso Park courts; I want to keep playing tennis there, find a place for pickleball and leave the tennis courts to us. John Montenez, varsity baseball coach in Pacific Grove, said his wife introduced him to pickleball; through pickleball we’ve found something in common and we have a great time. He said the main thing he enjoys is these people; we are competitive but are very social and have a great time. Commissioner Hofmann said her husband said they have been playing pickleball at Monterey High School since the 90’s; they used ping pong paddles and whiffle balls. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if we have received any complaints about parking. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated no. Commissioner Spangler inquired what the cost would be to convert a basketball court to a pickleball court. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said approximately $2,000. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if the basketball at Via Paraiso Park is used now; we wouldn’t want to take away from other activities. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated we have a basketball camp during the summer. We have to use what we have; we have soccer camp at Laguna Grande so the public can’t use it during our camps. In order to provide these services we have to use these facilities. Commissioner Spangler asked about monitoring the sound. Manager Vierra stated that was something that NIP Coordinator Krebs had to do for Montecito Park before installing the basketball court. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if the City has ever monitored the Via Paraiso Park courts to see how much they are being used; we’re receiving different stories tonight. Manager Vierra said when we have staff available, they look to see if anyone is playing and a lot of the time, the courts weren’t in use; the weather hasn’t been great either. Commissioner Baldwin said our mission is to provide to all members of the community. Pickleball is new to us and is now in our Parks and Recreation Master Plan; the problem is where and how; I’m not willing to move out one activity for another. Commissioner McEwen said muted pickleball lines on existing tennis courts seems like a reasonable option, with the hope that we can find some dedicated area. You want the greatest good for the greatest number of people; we have a history of sharing facilities. Commissioner Spangler agreed that muted lines could be a solution. Change is hard when things have been done a certain way for so long. I like the idea of finding a solution now and for the future; an 18-month window gives us time to do research and find a location. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said we definitely need to find a dedicated site for pickleball; in the meantime people will have to share for now while we look for a location; until then everyone has to play together. I grew up in that neighborhood and I don’t’ like what is going on; I understand how hard it is for the tennis players with this change. Commissioner Hofmann stated we need to play nice, we have limited resources; it would be great if pickleball had dedicated courts; we’re always going to have limitations; blended lines on the tennis courts is a start; would like more info on shared use with MPUSD and MPC; keep our youth in mind and those who aren’t as mobile as they used to be while allowing others to play. I like the idea of setting priority times for both sports; it’s a starting point. Commissioner Spangler said we need to make things work at Via Paraiso Park for now and move on to the next phase. I appreciate how civil this discussion has been tonight; thank you all for your respect and your comments. I’m proud of our community for working together. NEXT MEETING Thursday, May 18, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair Spangler adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Lacy Spangler, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 26, 2017 4