ALLAN
WITT PARK JOURNAL
Email
us your own actual experience in the park - include the date and time
of day and anything you want to share. Here are recent entries in
the Allan Witt Park Journal. Enjoy...
September 19, 2005
Despite the hot over 90 degree temperatures, people were playing
baseball, soccer and tennis, biking, climbing around the playground.
September 17, 2005
Report from a Park Advocate: As I drove down West
Texas Street, I glanced over to the playground parking lot....No
parking. Allan Witt Park was full of activity today. The ballplayers
fit into every nook and cranny. The playground was bustling with
activity. So far, I haven't come across any ballplayers who support the
idea of transferring the baseball fields to a stadium on Cordelia Road.
The ballplayers mentioned that the proposed stadium would be at an
inconvenient and windy location. They also have concerns with respect
to limited hours and additional user fees at the new facility. No one
has supported the proposed development at the centrally located Allan
Witt Park. One person mentioned that an expensive private ballpark was
going up on Cement Hill. Would it be possible for the city to negotiate
a deal for public access? One of the ballplayers from Benicia felt this
was one of the best parks in Solano County and insisted on signing the
petition, even though he is not a Fairfield resident. One parent on the
playground shared with me that Fairfield is number 14 in terms of
population density in the nation. The additional condos would make our
ranking even worse. He is contemplating moving out of the city. I have
collected over 200 signatures on petitions and have not yet found
someone who supports the proposed development of Allan Witt Park. I
have encounted many parents who miss the community pool. Allan Witt
Park is unique in that it is a "multi-sport complex" without the giant
pricetag. Families can have one member playing baseball while the
others play on the playground or swim (As the City has stated, the
funding of the modernization of the swim facilities exists and has
state funds backing it.) Once the swim facility is finished, people who
have stopped visiting the park will come back (perhaps for a child's
birthday party). Then, they will realize that the police have done a
wonderful job of returning Allan Witt Park to THE safe community
recreation center that it was intended to be.
September 9, 2005
PM - It was a cold "Friday night" in the park. In the 60s. I was
surprised
that 13
people were using the playground in the front of the park. Brrrr! The
kids were
running around, laughing, and having a great time. A handful of adult
soccer
players were kicking a ball around on the grassy field nearby. A couple
of adult
teams were playing baseball. I could see a young family kicking soccer
balls
around in the grassy area near the baseball fields. A couple of people
chatted on
the picnic benches while their kids played. One lone man who could have
appeared
suspicious turned out to be a neighbor of one of the parents in the
playground. Another safe enjoyable evening in Allan Witt Park.
September 8, 2005
PM - Another fine day in the park. The
baseball fields on Woolner were filled with baseball players. The grass
area
near the playground was filled with a girl's soccer team being replaced
by a
boy's soccer team. A girl's softball team practiced at the
nearby field and players could be seen on the other fields. A
few joggers circled the path around the central field. The Woolner-side
playground was teaming with kid. Several people were using the tennis
courts.
On Tuesday evening (Sept. 7) I saw 10 tennis players and some
basketball players on
the nearby court. In the front of the park (the West Texas Street
side), the grass field was
FILLED with soccer players having fun. No unsavory characers and no
'homeless' were observed.
One mom wanted to join the Friends of Allan Witt Park and
get her neighborhood involved. I encouraged another disheartened man
about
saving the park. He was disheartened because his neighborhood had
signed a
petition to stop the nearby apartments (he was concerned about the
value of
his home), but I explained that he can take heart because this is a
PUBLIC PARK. I
discussed with the mom that her neighborhood would definitely benefit
directly in home value if this remains a large community park.
I shared with her my hope that this park could be a central gathering
place
for the community, like Andrew's Park in Vacaville. Moving the pools
and
tennis courts makes zero sense. If the pool could be renovated like the
Three
Oaks Community Center in Vacaville, people would flock to this park.
The
tennis courts offer an ideal venue for community tennis lessons. I have
seen
people meet with their dogs in the bench area near the front
playground. Perhaps, they could squeeze in a dog run there.
If this issue of sale of public land for private development was truly
brought to the
public's attention, Allan Witt Park would rule. Sacrificing a public
park for
money and politics will not fly. Unfortunately, the majority of
Fairfield is
unaware and the rest think the deal is done and the system rules.
Public awareness is KEY. Have all the Friends of Allan Witt Park carry
a
petition along with them on their day-to-day activities within the
community.
Spread the word and Save Allan Witt Park!
September 7, 2005
AM - Early morning sunshine accentuates the brilliant green grass where
water droplets sparkle. It is just after 7AM. On a grassy mound near
the West Texas Street entrance two small US flags on short dowel rods
are stuck in the ground. It looks like a monument similar to the
mournful roadside memorials of traffic fatalities, but without flowers.
On closer inspection, I see it is not a memorial, but an offering.
Between the flags is a large clear plastic bag with a couple of dozen
oatmeal cookies inside. There are no 'homeless' or transients to be
seen, and I wonder what will happen to the cookies.
With the ongoing tragedy of hurricane Katrina on everybody's mind, I am
touched by this anonymous gesture and reminded that there are those
here in our own back yard who need our help every day, not just after a
natural disaster in some faraway place.
Auguat 27, 2005
PM - Another evening hour in the park, another petition almost filled.
One
woman was upset that Fairfield doesn't have a bowling alley nor a
skating rink and now they're going to take away the only activity left
for her grandkids - a visit to this park. She did say that the bad
elements have left because there are video cameras and more police
surveilance. As far as I can tell from my observations and others' is
that the problems no longer exist. Now, it is a matter of erasing "the
reputation" of the park. Possible solutions: Make the swimming area an
attraction and people will come. One woman suggested a dog run - she
says she has to go to Walnut Creek for the nearest dog run. Another
woman who just moved into town wanted a venue for her daughters 3 y.o.
birthday party and was told to go to Benicia. She had the party in that
"slide" park in Benicia. Another resident is heading out for Andrew's
Park in Vacaville for a nighttime concert with her family. Our
community currently looks outside for needs that could be met within.
August 25, 2005
Today lots of people were out in the park. It was safe and clean. I
filled a petition sheet and people have asked for more petition sheets.
No one wants the park developed. Only a few people have been aware that
there are plans to place housing on the park and they thought it was a
done deal. People are angry. One softball coach dad was mad because he
likes practicing on the public fields at Allan Witt and doesn't want to
have to pay to have a field to practice on. I'm coming to realize that
anyone who is aware of the situation opposes development of housing on
the park. It is everyone's favorite park on that side of town. Most
people haven't read the Fairfield Observer or local newspaper.
August 24, 2005
PM - It was a quiet evening in the park from 6 to 7:30pm.
One police car drove through leaving a couple of homeless-looking men
peacefully asleep in the park. It was chilly, so the playgrounds were
not as full as usual. I picked up a handful of signatures as I
entertained my child at the playground. A few baseball teams and soccer
teams were practicing. A few people were walking/ jogging around the
park. I saw one family having a picnic on the benches. (
Ed. Note: even on a
quiet evening there are dozens of people using the park)
The main point is that the park needs to be upgraded to attract more of
the community. A dynamic pool facility, community tennis lessons (in
addition to the normal basketball, baseball, volleyball, etc.
offerings), perhaps an exercise course or flowers, focus on community
festivities there (e.g. school bands, dance troupes, theatre in the
park, Suzuki Strings, Tai Chi demonstrations to celebrate a variety of
special days), and an upgraded bathroom (at least, a cheery paint job).
A facelift, so the public perception of dangerous park will fade away
and the homeless will move to Mission Solano, the Prospect House, or
churches or....
