Notes and Observations

There appear to be flaws and warning flags in the approach to this project, and caution signals that raise concerns about privatizing half the park site. Here are some observations with supporting comments.

1. This proposal seems like a solution in search of a problem, a project seeking justification

·    This is in no way intended as criticism of Triad, GGLO, or others who have contributed. There seems to have been a lot of work done, and some beautiful drawings put together. Common sense, however, says that asking a developer to improve a park is like asking a fox to redesign a henhouse; the result may be gorgeous, but will almost certainly contain fewer chickens by the time it’s done.

·    Linking park development to revitalization and ‘beautification’ of the West Texas Street gateway presumes that a park with buildings is more visually appealing than a park with trees and grassy open space.

·    The hope of securing $15 million additional captial to finance a Big League Dreams sports complex on Cordelia Rd at Chadbourne appears to be a significant driving factor behind this proposal to sell Allan Witt Park land.


2. This proposal appears to be motivated primarily by financial interests, not concern for making an excellent park

·    The starting point appears to be finding a target location for a development project coupled with budgetary concerns. The project is not driven from concerns about the park and its visitors. Making the park and excellent public space is not one of the city's goals for this project


·    It would make more sense to start by listing the park’s functional problems, then consider options for addressing them

·    Business and development interests are heavily represented on the city's working committees


3. There have been assertions of safety concerns and other problems, but little data and no analysis of alternatives

·    Computer-Aided Dispatch data from FFPD is misleading

·    No comparative data are presented for other parks (Lee Bell, Dover, etc)

·    No statistics available on park visitors or analysis of facility usage trends to support proposed changes – there has been no data showing who is using the park, how many people and what activities, when and how often.

4. We have been presented a development proposal, but no recommendations from public space experts

·    Excellent resources are available (including the city’s website, which has links to national studies on the economic and social benefits of increasing public open space in inner city neighborhoods). See the Links and Resources page


·    There are organizations that specialize in improving shared public space. Experts should be consulted before pursuing a development direction. See the Links and Resources page

·    Can find no comments or recommendations from Community Services department responsible for the facilities


·    Can find no statistics on park users from Community Services department  which is responsible for the facilities. The Parks and Recreation staff should know who uses the park and what their needs and desires for open space are


·    Nobody has expressed a plan or even a desire to try to increase the number of park visitors

5. There currently are disincentives discouraging park use, and no visible improvement efforts to open the park to more visitors

·    Community pool closure is reducing park use, giving visitors the impression that the city does not care about the park

·    Uninviting 6ft black iron fence along West Texas is a psychological barrier as well as a physical barrier

·    Publicizing fear, telling people the park is dangerous discourages people from visiting the park


6. Abandonment of the new Fairfield-Rotary Skate Park is wasteful and insulting  [Note that the skate park remains in place in the latest 10-26-04 site plan]
   

·    The skate park appears to be a very successful and well-used feature of the park

·    A considerable amount of planning, fundraising, hard work and pride went into creating the skate park

·    Destroying the skate park is an insult to the Rotary Club and to community members, and a tremendous waste of money and effort that went into making it a reality

·    Decoration has been called graffiti, however it is colorful, artistic and aesthetically appealing with no offensive content – it is an improvement, not vandalism

More Thoughts

1. Moving the Caltrans yard and consolidating the City of Fairfield corporation yard, and improving those sites are good ideas provided they are cost-justified
2. An excellent park is an asset to nearby businesses and the community and can do just as much to build community pride as new buildings
3. No market research data has been presented to support building more retail and office space in the West Texas area
4. Building in Allan Witt park will do little, if anything, to improve the appearance of the West Texas gateway since it is away from the street
5. Aesthetic improvements can be achieved equally by improving the community pool and the recreation center already in the park
6. Reducing the size of Allan Witt park will not provide a place for those who have no place else to go during the day
7. Relocating skate park, ball fields, tennis courts will not benefit local neighborhood residents who use them
8. There is a huge number of housing units already being built near the park (Park Crossing apartments, 200 units at Beck and WTX)
9. Lighting, even a minimal amount, would improve park safety
10. How much of the park land sale proceeds go to local businesses for aesthetic improvements (redevelopment assistance)?
11. What contractual terms exist between the city and Triad concerning this project?