HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Communication from Jim Andraska1
Gloria Harper
From:james andraska <jandraska1@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:59 PM
To:Schelly Sustarsic; Joe Kalmick; Thomas Moore; Mike Varipapa; Sandra Massa-Lavitt;
Gloria Harper; Kevin Ortiz; Joseph Talarico
Subject:External Email : Seal Beach Decision to Close Edison Park Community Gardens
Mayor Sustarsic and City Council members,
As an Old Town resident for the past 26 years and Edison Park gardener for the past 23 years, I am confused
and extremely disappointed by the decision to close the gardens. Closure of the gardens is a draconian measure
that misses the the mark of protecting public health as the gardens are not a public gathering place. Access to
the gardens is controlled by a combination lock on the gates.Through the annual application process, every
gardener releases the City of Seal Beach from any damage or personal injuries and pays a rental fee. Typically,
there are only a few cars in the parking lot, if any, with a few gardeners dispersed over several acres practicing
social distancing working in their fenced plots. I haven't seen most of my neighbor gardeners in months.
I implore the City Council to reopen the Edison Park Community Gardens. Our garden plot provides most of
the vegetables our family consumes year-round. It also provides a quiet place to labor in solitude and escape the
the throngs passing our Ocean Avenue home. Closing the beach has made the front yard an unsafe place: not
enough space for social distancing with the increased sidewalk traffic.
Since the gardens were closed during the peak planting season, it would be wise to implement an even/odd
garden access control system based on plot numbers to prevent too many gardeners from showing up on the first
day the garden reopens. This will also enhance social distancing. The existing garden plot numbering system
has each even numbered plot surrounded by odd numbered plots. Likewise, the odd numbered plots are
surrounded by even numbered plots. Assuming the gardeners are working in their plots, limiting garden access
based on even/odd plot numbers would increase social distancing separation to a minimum of 14 feet. This
would also make sense to continue until the coronavirus threat has ended to minimize risk.
This is an extremely difficult time for all Seal Beach residents but especially for our Mayor and City Council
members. Your service is greatly appreciated!
Jim Andraska
1639 Ocean Avenue
(562) 754-7583
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