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John Medlin, Division Manager <br /> Eugene Parks <br /> 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. <br /> Eugene, OR 97402 <br /> Dear Mr. Medlin: <br /> Attached to this letter is a petition from neighbors in the Acorn Park area. We are asking that <br /> no new basketball court be placed in the park, rather, that a hot coals container and an <br /> additional permanent trash can be added to the park amenities. <br /> A new court will become a magnet for increased nighttime delinquent, violent and disruptive <br /> behavior which will have a very negative effect upon the health and safety of families who <br /> reside next to the park. One neighbor who plays a lot of basketball have told me that there <br /> are plenty of places to play ball in the area, but that a court in Acorn Park would be <br /> problematic. Over the past year or so, every neighbor I've talked with opposes the idea <br /> of a new court in the park. <br /> Secondly, the park needs a hot charcoal briquet container and more permanent trash can(s). <br /> This past summer we've seen an increase in the number of people picnicking and <br /> barbecuing- no doubt drawn by the new amenities. When some picnickers are finished <br /> they have dumped the coals in the ground, at the base of trees and next to a neighbor's <br /> cedar fence. Leftover food, bones have been poured on the ground and left. These are <br /> potentially serious health and safety issues that need to be addressed. <br /> I have contacted Carolyn Weiss by phone and by email numerous times over these many <br /> months with these concerns without success. Folks are confused as to how planning <br /> decisions were made. There was no "vote" nor was our input solicited regarding a choice <br /> between a basketball court and the greatly preferred `Tot Lot." The only person I know <br /> who is in favor of a court in Acorn Park is Ms. Weiss. (There may be people who live <br /> further way who don't frequent Acorn Park who may be in favor of it and may not be aware <br /> associated problems). In our previous conversations she stated that its centralized location <br /> as well as the presence of families would inhibit criminal and disruptive behavior. The <br /> experiences of this past summer simply do not support that theory. <br /> The most serious problems occur at night when the park is "closed." The most recent <br /> significant disruption occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 9th from <br /> midnight until 4 AM. In the morning neighbors discovered the children's play area <br /> completely covered in broken glass and urine. It took neighbors and, apparently, Eugene <br /> Parks person several hours to clean up the mess! This type of behavior occurred in a <br /> children's play structure, so imagine the increase in problems if a basketball court is installed <br /> with the additional attraction it would be for older youth. <br /> Although numerous called were made to EPD Dispatch by a number of neighbors on <br /> September 9th. It took EPD three hours to respond, and they did send a patrol car- to the <br /> wrong street. A neighbor has filed a complaint concerning EPD's handling of the matter and <br /> has not yet received a reply. EPD response to calls about Acorn Park problems is, at <br /> best, minimal and inconsistent. Mr. Medlin, I want you to know that I had a twenty year <br /> career in juvenile corrections, from being a Correctional Counselor at MacLaren School to <br /> being a Program Supervisor for Looking Glass Youth and Family Services. It was my job <br /> to see trouble coming. Given the reality that responding to calls from neighbors of Acorn <br /> Park is a very low priority for EPD Dispatch, I fear the word will "get out" that Acorn Park is <br />