From The Deck: LOBC, Noise, Healthy Kids And Kaufman Park

The following letter was sent to numerous prominent City leader (i.e. City Council, several School Board Members, the Mayor, etc..) in Lakewood to express the partial view of Kauffman Park Friends.

As a member of the core committee of the Kauffman Park Friends, I am writing to express support for the Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee’s program.

In the short time that the pilot has been running, which coincided with the removal of the Little Links debris, I have noticed a significant decrease in the number of older kids loitering around the park. Because of the new Leashed Dogs ordinance, and my role on that committee, I am in the park several times a week with my dog, and while there, I generally keep my eyes open. More people in the park means less trouble.

The LOBC program is giving these kids something to do with the time they would otherwise be spending in unhelpful ways. This is good for the park, good for the City and good for the youths. It’s something the City has needed for a long time. This program deserves to be expanded as quickly as possible so that more can take advantage of it more easily, including younger kids.

You’ll notice that I am writing as an individual member of KPF. The reason for this is we have concerns about the sensitivities of neighbors, and not all in our group were comfortable signing a letter in support of LOBC. So unfortunately, KPF cannot write you as a cohesive group. We have heard from someone who lives adjacent to the tennis courts, and I have become convinced that the complaints about noise, language and disrespect of the neighbors must be taken very seriously. KPF is all about having good relationships with the park’s neighbors. Fortunately, LOBC is taking it seriously and has taken steps to correct the situation. I am strongly rooting for their success. Additional hoop locations are part of the solution. Even in this time of budgetary constraint, I believe the City, schools or Recreation department would see a payback on any people or monies it could make available to help LOBC expand and monitor the hoops because they would be providing young people with something to do when school is out.

Thank you for hearing this. We look forward to creating a vibrant and active environment in Kauffman Park with the help of the City and LOBC.

Sincerely,
Dan Alaimo