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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Communication from Robert Goldberg1 Gloria Harper From:Robert Goldberg <rgoldberg@live.com> Sent:Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:00 AM To:Thomas Moore; Schelly Sustarsic; Mike Varipapa; Sandra Massa-Lavitt; Joe Kalmick Cc:Jill Ingram; Gloria Harper; Charles M. Kelly; Jeannette Andruss; Phil Gonshak Subject:External Email : Public Comments for Today's Closed Session Attachments:OC Parks.pdf; CA Parks.pdf; Governor.pdf Dear Council and Staff, While I am supportive of staff’s decision last Monday to close various park amenities and parking lots, I think some of the closures go beyond what is necessary for the reasonable protection of public health. Specifically, I would recommend that the Council allow pedestrian access to the Old Town beach, Gum Grove Park, and the Edison Park Community Garden.   The following comments address the beach and Gum Grove, as you have already received comments regarding Edison from users of that park.   The purpose of the closures is to enforce social distancing. In some park areas, like tot lots, and during some park activities, like basketball, this is not possible. However, social distancing is very feasible on a beach as wide as Old Town’s, and on the long hiking trails of Gum Grove.   Yet closure of these two areas to pedestrians denies Seal Beach residents access to open space, a unique wooded area, and the ocean—areas that provide not only exercise, but also emotional comfort during this very trying time.  The importance of these considerations has been recognized by the Governor, the State Department of Parks and Recreation, and the O.C. Parks. As of yesterday, all of these entities are allowing pedestrian access to beaches and trails (see attachments).  Similarly in Orange County cities, Laguna Beach is the only city that has closed beaches and trails (per OC ERC release 3/24/20- attached). As I write this in the early morning, I am watching people strolling and enjoying the beaches on Surfline cams in Newport and Huntington.   In reopening the Old Town beach and Gum Grove, social distancing could still be encouraged or enforced if necessary without burdening our safety staff.  Gum Grove has only two public access points, from the Hill at the end of Avalon Drive, and from Heron Point adjacent to Seal Beach Boulevard. Access at Avalon Drive is now closed by a gated fence that blocks all vehicles and pedestrians. There is no way to selectively allow pedestrians to pass while securely blocking vehicular access to the park’s primary parking area. Therefore, I would propose that this gate remain closed, but that parking and pedestrian access be allowed from Heron Point. At the Heron Point entrance, there are only ten parking spaces and no street parking is possible. The net effect would be to only allow ten parties into Gum Grove at any given time, and provide more than adequate “crowd control” to promote social distancing.  Regarding the Old Town beach, I have observed a Marine Safety Officer driving the beachfront throughout the day on many, if not most, days of the week. Given the lack of swimmers in the water, I would think that educating any non-family beachgoers who fail to social distance could be safely 2 added to this Officer’s responsibilities. If per chance, a group of beachgoers fail to “get the message,” this could then be conveyed by a Police Officer.  In summary, limited access to the Old Town beach and Gum Grove Park could be safely allowed and without undue demand on City safety staff. With crowd control via parking lot closures and active beach surveillance, no lives will be imperiled. Therefore, I ask the Council restore a semblance of sanity for our collective mental health.    Thank you very much for your consideration,    Robert Goldberg        CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.