We are neighbors of Mitchell Park and oppose any plans to put a parking lot in our park, because...

Dangerous
The curved driveway proposed in this drawing is next to the playground. Kids would climb on the boulders, presenting a special challenge for drivers with slower reaction times. Please consider the potential impacts of two driveways across sidewalks on two sides of this small park. We also think bushes and berms on both sides of the south driveway would impede the vision of drivers coming across the walkway.

Intrusive
The parking lot is larger than the building and introduces unpleasant elements of asphalt, cars, noise, and additional lighting into the green space. A trash container the size of a car is undesirable next to the main sidewalk into the park (from our direction). That large BBQ area under the redwood trees takes another big bite out of the green space and makes a hangout that would be difficult to monitor from the street. The vision we prefer contains the activity in the underutilized horseshoe pit area where they want to put the parking lot, with BBQ pit and tables near the trash area, surrounded by the planned community garden.

Unintended
The land for this park was never meant for parking. This proposal is also in conflict with the Master Plan, which came about through much discussion over many years and favors a community sense of place. The demands of a few should not outweigh the needs of the many.

Neighborhood Value
Most of the people complaining about parking do not live here, whereas most of Mitchell Park's neighbors enjoy walking there. The drivers are not really interested in the park, only parking. But while they can park elsewhere, we can't get more park. At great expense – economic and ecologic – removing four general street spaces nets only 12 parking spaces for seniors.

Natural Value
Community parks like ours are treasures that must be protected from harm and loss. Car-oriented people may not care about having a bit of nature in the city, but many of us consider it essential. We also encourage planting drought-tolerant native trees and shrubs rather than ornamentals. Many are beautiful, and provide bird habitat while reducing water waste.

Location Options
A growing senior population will continue to put more pressure on services. Traffic and parking around Mitchell Park are manageable most of the time, but become most difficult when seniors pick up groceries once a week. Relocating the Senior Center will benefit both the seniors and the neighbors of Mitchell Park.

Transportation Options
It has become clear to most everyone that planning for sustainability includes reducing cars, car-related infrastructure, air and water pollution, and over-reliance on fossil fuels. Helping seniors with transportation options is a much more sensible solution.

Damned if you do
Diminishing the park to try and please a small number of disgruntled people will not make anyone happy, including them. Many seniors who come here have complained for years that they don't like the building in Mitchell Park. Those who don't like the building will never like this location, even if you compromise our park on their behalf.

Public Opinion
Please remember that many of those who complain about parking are retired and have time to attend meetings, while many of those who live in the neighborhood are working people and may not be able to express our points of view in person.

Thank you for preserving our increasingly precious open space.

Note: We sent this letter to the City Council and to the Tribune as a Viewpoint column. Please add your comments here.

The letter was accompanied by a drawing from the City showing plans to put a parking lot behind the Senior Center. If you'd like to see the map please send me an email at bluegreenblend (at) gmail.com and I'll forward it to you.