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To whom it may concern, <br /> We, the undersigned, have deep concerns about city policy in regards to <br /> park closures, particularly the planned closure of Scobert Park in the Whiteaker <br /> neighborhood. We feel that the park should remain open in consideration of the <br /> following issues: <br /> 1) We question the legal authority of the city to close a public place, <br /> contrary to the wishes of the communities affected, and in jeopardy of citizens <br /> first amendment rights to free speech and assembly. <br /> 2) We question the intent and application of city law enforcement policy, <br /> which singles out certain groups for discrimination and harassment, neglects <br /> the social roots of community problems, and divides communities, making <br /> community oriented solutions and a genuine neighborhood ethic impossible to <br /> achieve. <br /> 3) This particular proposed closure will not solve the problems <br /> associated with the park. It will simply move them, and quite possibly <br /> exacerbate them. A city mandated closure order will preclude the real <br /> solutions to these problems. generated by our community process. <br /> 4) The lack of a meaningful community process to make decisions about <br /> community problems is particularly disturbing to us. Contrary to the claims of <br /> city officials, there is no consensus among the neighborhood to close the park, <br /> on the contrary there is considerable dissension and resistance to this <br /> proposal. The city has no right to arbitrarily dictate the fate of our public <br /> spaces to us. <br /> 5) Closing the park will be an unnecessary strain on already strained law <br /> enforcement resources, and might possibly divert resources from more <br /> effective measures to combat the problems associated with the park. <br /> 6) We feel that law enforcement policy should make use of the least <br /> sufficient mechanisms to address problems of this nature. A complete closure <br /> of the park is unwarranted considering there are many other law enforcement <br /> options available to address the problems experienced by our neighborhood. <br /> Given these circumstances we insist that the park remain open and that <br /> our proposals for a community center, restroom facilities, and a comprehensive <br /> drug treatment program be implemented in place of park closures which are <br /> unnecessarily punitive as well as ineffective. <br /> c.c: City of Eugene Parks and Recreation, Mayor Ruth Bascom, Eugene City Council, Whiteaker <br /> Community Council <br /> Printed on tree free paper <br />