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I'll try to respond to your specific concerns. <br /> o You are concerned that a basketball court may attract increased delinquent, violent and disruptive <br /> behavior. I understand your concern and would like to offer my perspective. I agree there is most <br /> definitely a correlation between negative behaviors in parks and those areas with low- visibility and an <br /> isolated nature. This is precisely why we strive to create active park centers that are both visible from <br /> adjacent streets and neighbor's homes. The development plan for Acorn Park represents a model of <br /> park design that we have found to be very successful in encouraging positive and legitimate park use. <br /> Encouraging positive and legitimate park use is our strongest tool to fight negative and illicit use of <br /> park facilities. Additionally, we find that the small, half - circle basketball court facilitates family and <br /> child play, but is typically not desirable for highly aggressive and competitive play. In this manner <br /> we have attempted to strike a balance with the desires of those individuals in your neighborhood who <br /> want a court with the concerns of immediate neighbors worried by the potential of increased illicit <br /> activity. <br /> o You requested placement of a hot charcoal briquet container in the park as a result of individuals <br /> dumping coals on the ground. We typically do not place these in our parks because they present a <br /> child safety hazard as well as often become an attractive nuisance. I agree that there are a number of <br /> irresponsible park users who dispose of their used coals improperly, however we feel the <br /> disadvantages outweigh the benefits of having these types of containers in neighborhood parks. <br /> o You requested an additional trash receptacle in the park. Due to similar requests Parks Operations <br /> crews installed an additional trash receptacle in the park in mid - September. <br /> In conclusion, my review found there has been considerable public comment on this project to date with a <br /> majority of that being in favor of the new court. I'm sorry that I cannot accommodate your request to <br /> stop its construction. <br /> Sincere y, <br /> / <br /> Johnny . Medlin <br /> Director, Parks and Open Space Division <br /> cc: Mayor Kitty Piercy <br /> Counselor Chris Pryor <br /> Angel Jones <br /> Robert Lehner <br /> Petition signatories <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br />