CITY OF JACKSONVILLE AGENDA

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE

Parks and Visitors Services Committee Meeting

AGENDA

206 N Fifth St

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be hosted as a hybrid virtually on Zoom and in person. INSTRUCTIONS: You can join the meeting by clicking or entering the following link from your computer, smartphone, or tablet: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85461680809?pwd=WG5TVnowTERXdTNyemtZMmpGb3lwQT09 You can also call (253) 215-8782. When prompted, enter the Meeting ID and passcode: ID: 892 7613 7138 Passcode: 374349

Regular Meeting November 9, 2021, 5:00 p.m.

1) CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME

2) OLD BUSINESS

a. Approval of August 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes b. Jacksonville Review Column Report - Kristen Sullivan

3) ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

a. Pickleball Court Recommendation to City Council b. City Parks to-do list c. Forest Park to-do list

4) OTHER BUSINESS:

a. City Council Liaison Report – Councilor McClain b. Public Works Report – Tony Thompson, Public Works Operations Manager

5) PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minute limit per person)

6) NEXT MEETING: TBD

7) ADJOURN

Parks and Visitor Services Committee August 10, 2021

Committee Members Present: Chair, Omer Kem, Councilor Mike McClain, Kristen

Sullivan, Kristin Schwartz, Gary Sprague, Jessica Prins

Staff Present: Public Works Operations Manager Max Woody, Recorder Watson

1) CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME 5:00 PM

• Approve minutes – Gary Sprague moved to approve the minutes, Kristin

Schwartz seconded and the vote was favorable.

2) OLD BUSINESS:

a. Jacksonville Review column report – Kristen Sullivan

• Kristin Sullivan – Kristin asked Parks Committee members to reach out if they

have a good topic for an upcoming column.

3) ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

• Katie Younkin presented information on Devo youth mountain bike team and

asked for permission for team to practice at Forest Park. Gary Sprague moved to

allow use through October 31, 2021 and then evaluate the impact. Kristin

Sullivan seconded and the vote was favorable.

• City Parks To-Do-List

Mike McClain will chair a committee comprised of Max Woody,

members of Pheasant Meadows neighborhood and the pickle ball

community to find solution to negative impact on neighborhood from high

volume use.

• Forest Park To-Do-List

• Gary Sprague speaks to refurbishing railroad trestle.

• Gary Sprague speaks to building/maintaining kiosks.

• Gary Sprague speaks to no trail work maintenance being done during heat

and dry season.

4) OTHER BUSINESS:

a. City Council Liaison Report – Councilor McClain

• Councilor McClain speaks to City Council giving final approval to evacuation

map at next council meeting.

• Councilor McClain speaks to publishing evacuation map on the website and in the

Jacksonville Review for Jacksonville residents.

• Councilor McClain speaks to continued woodlands cleanup of flammable material

when the weather allows in the fall.

b. Public Works Report – Operations Manager Max Woody

• Max Woody speaks to repairs and seasonal projects at Jacksonville parks

• Max speaks to spray park closing on Tuesday after Labor Day to conserve water

during drought.

5) PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minute limit per person)

Kris Rose speaks to pickle ball courts at Pheasant Meadows Park

Jon Jorgeson speaks to pickle ball courts at Pheasant Meadows Park

Cindy Selbe speaks to pickle ball courts at Pheasant Meadows Park

Jack Methot speaks to pickle ball courts at Pheasant Meadows Park

Mike Schwartz speaks to pickle ball courts at Pheasant Meadows Park

6) NEXT MEETING: November 9, 2021, 5:00 PM

7) ADJOURN: 6:00 PM

To: City of Jacksonville From: Property Owners in the Pheasant Meadows Neighborhood Re: Pickleball Noise, Vehicle Congestion, and Off-Leashed Dogs at Pheasant Meadows Neighborhood Park Per a request from Max Woody, we are writing to describe the impact of the recent high-volume use of Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park on neighboring residential properties. The aim of this letter is to describe the situation and propose workable solutions, NOT to complain and ask the city to “shut down pickleball play”. History: Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park was built as the homes in Pheasant Meadows were being built. Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park was not designed to be a destination park (such as Doc Griffin Park), but rather as a local neighborhood park (similar to Nunan Square Park). Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park was originally built (around 1999-2000) with one tennis court, a grass area, a picnic table, and four striped parking spaces. The playground was installed by community volunteers in approximately 2005. Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park does not have a bathroom. As Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park was being built, the city proposed installing a practice “backboard” wall on the east fence of the tennis court. The late Stan Lyons of 815 Singler Lane requested the city not install the wall over concerns of the sound of a tennis ball bouncing off the wall. The city acknowledged and agreed not to install the wall. A plan to install a basketball hoop on the SE corner of the tennis court in the park was similarly canceled by request over the same noise concern. In 2021, Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park became very popular with groups of people playing pickleball. This game involves two or four players striking a hard plastic ball with solid paddles over a short net. At Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park, players set up temporary nets (typically four at a time) across the tennis court. Often, this results in 16 people playing simultaneously. Recently, green sunscreen fabric has been installed on the tall west fence of the court, as well as orange plastic netting, presumably to keep balls from rolling onto adjacent courts. Each seems unsightly and out of place.

Neighborhood Concerns: Noise, Congestion, Dogs Off-Leash Noise: A simple Google search shows that many communities nationwide are grappling with the noise of pickleball. Some have outright banned the play of the game when courts are near property lines. The sound of pickleball play echoes throughout much of the Pheasant Meadows neighborhood and parts of “Whippleville”. Reasons would seem to be:

1. Hard plastic balls repeatedly impacting the hard paddles. 2. The courts are elevated from Pheasant Meadows neighborhood. Most new pickleball courts (e.g., in

east Medford) seem to be installed in a depression to help reduce the known noise. 3. Up to four games (16 players) playing at the same time. 4. Unlike the tennis court, pickleball courts are oriented north-south. This means half of players are

hitting directly toward the Pheasant Meadows neighborhood. 5. At least four property lines are located within 100 feet of the court. 6. Play begins before 8am and (weather permitting) may continue until dark some evenings.

Vehicle Congestion: As previously stated, Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park has four striped parking spaces. Residents in the area have commented about chaotic experiences at the corner of D Street and Beverley Way during times of busy pickleball activity. Dogs Off-Leash: When the heavy use of Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park began, some pickleball players brought their dogs and leashed them to trees or the chain-link fence between the court and the park walking path while they played pickleball. This action violates city ordinance (posted on sign at the park) regarding dogs in city parks. Presently, dogs are not commonly tied-up in the park, and we greatly appreciate the city addressing the issue.

Solutions As previously stated, residents in the Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park area were asked to describe the situation. We also very much want to propose workable solutions, NOT to complain and ask the city to “shut down pickleball play”. So, let’s look at solutions: Noise: Reduce pickleball courts from four to two. This solution would bring the number of courts available at Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park a bit more in proportion to Valley-wide pickleball court availability. Currently, Jacksonville has four pickleball courts for a population of only approx. 3,000. Medford has approx. 20 courts for a population of approx. 85,000 residents. Most pickleball courts seem to be located at the large/destination Fichtner-Mainwaring Park, a 12-minute drive from Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park. Initially, players could use one of the two painted courts on each side of the existing tennis net. Then eventually one court on each side of the existing tennis court net could be painted for pickleball when scheduled court resurfacing is next performed. If reducing to two courts does not sufficiently reduce pickleball noise, the addition of acoustic panels along the low chain link fence line on the north side of the court should be considered. Vehicle Congestion: Prohibit parking in non-marked areas. The city could provide signage indicating information about safe/legal parking options for those visiting the Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park. Reducing available pickleball courts from four to two would also logically reduce vehicle congestion. Dogs Off-Leash: Improved signage at the park. Signage at Pheasant Meadows neighborhood park could clarify city ordinance about dogs being off-leash in city parks as well as display information about the Waggin’ Tails Dog Park (located near the skate park). Posted Court Access Times: Additionally, court access for tennis during cooler parts of the day should also be available. A posted court schedule listing “tennis only” and “pickleball only” play times should be considered, at alternating 1.5 hour intervals, starting and ending with tennis because it is quieter than pickleball.

Sincerely, Property Owners of: 215 N. 8th Street 265 N. 8th Street 635 E. D Street 715 E. D Street 755 E. D Street 1015 Beverly Way 1005 Beverly Way 810 815 Singler Lane 815 Singler Lane 820 Singler Lane 825 Singler Lane 830 Singler Lane 840 Singler Lane 845 Singler Lane 855 Singler Lane 860 Singler Lane 865 Singler Lane 875 Singler Lane 880 Singler Lane 885 Singler Lane 640 Carriage Lane Note: Every property owner we spoke to, except two, agreed enthusiastically to support this letter.

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Angela Watson

From: Jeff Alvis <[email protected]>Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2021 1:23 PMTo: Angela WatsonSubject: Fwd: to Jeff Alvis/ re pheasant meadows park/pickleball

Sent from my iPhone  Begin forwarded message: 

From: Valerie Ann Giles <[email protected]> Date: November 4, 2021 at 12:58:46 PM PDT To: [email protected] Subject: to Jeff Alvis/ re pheasant meadows park/pickleball 

     Jeff, I heard there is a meeting about playing pickleball at pheasant meadows and looked up the meeting and found this letter from Linda Graham. After reading the letter I have found several items that are filled with puffery, or misinformation.       I have lived and worked and retired in the Rogue Valley since 1978, and have lived in Jacksonville since 2003. I also live directly across from the Beekman Woods gazebo. Valerie I have been walking or driving down to PMeadows  park to get out and meet with other people to play pickleball. True, in the beginning there were a hardcore group of younger players who tied up their dogs and dominated the courts but since the mostly older players, retired, and people who want to exercise have increased, the younger players have moved on.       All parking is done around the designated spaces around the court and on the graveled south side of D Street, in front of the pasture, in legal parking areas,  and NOT in front of houses or in no parking areas.       I have only seen a car blocking the pasture gate when people come to feed the horses.      Dogs are no longer tied to the fences.      I have only talked to one tennis player this year.      I walk my dog daily in PhMe  and notice all owners have dogs on leashes. I have seen dogs unleashed behind the church at PhMe  and at Beekman Woods.      Jacksonville's Parks and Cities Properties states that our community values parks as open spaces for reflection and play. They provide breathing space for people to spend time on their own and bring people together for organized sports, events, picnics, and social gatherings and it goes on, economic value, etc.       Jacksonville is a regional center of enjoyment from all areas of the Rogue Valley, State and Nationally, we all experience the pangs of growth in forms of noise and increased use in our Jacksonville neighborhoods and don't think we should start limiting exercise, parking, to certain times of the days, or days of the week. we have a first come first use no reservation rule in Jacksonville and that rule has worked well for park use in Jacksonville.  Scheduling days or times for outdoor play is misguided and does not take into effect the unpredictability of weather.  

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Every community in the Rogue Valley has pickleball and courts and many players move about the community playing. Many come here to walk, shop and eat before and after play and we want that to continue. 

  Thank you,  John and Valerie Giles 510 Scenic Dr. Jacksonville. Or 97530 [email protected]