Messages for - Mail WebArchive

Dear Ms. Mandell and Ms. Waite,

As someone who lives near Tom Petty Park and who visits the park at least twice a day with my dogs, I have been quite frustrated by the “improvements.” I do, however, understand that pickleball is popular and that people in our neighborhood enjoy playing pickleball. They look forward to the additional courts. Even they, however, are not happy with adding 41 paved spaces to the park. None of my neighbors really wish to see the great green open space used by numerous groups made even smaller by the addition of paved parking.

I respectfully request that a formal Tom Petty Park traffic study be completed so that the city can base any new parking lot construction on a real need identified in data. I am skeptical that there would be a need as it is exceptionally rare that the present parking spaces are filled; however, if there is such a need, I request that alternative parking be considered and dismissed as unreasonable before moving ahead with asphalt paving. Perhaps a grassy overflow parking area could be designated during peak seasons. Perhaps the parking lot at St. Patrick’s where parking spaces are grass and only the road is paved could be a model for Tom Petty Park. Even better, perhaps the city could contract with St. Patrick’s for additional parking when necessary.

Thank you for considering my requests. I do realize that regardless of the benefits of a project, not everyone will be happy with the “improvements.”

Respectfully,

Sam Welker

1605 NE 6 Terrace

Gainesville, FL 32609

Date Received:	7/8/2025 3:23:47 PM
To:	Mandell, Rachel C; Waite, Betsy D
Cc:	citycomm
From:	SAMUEL WELKER
Subject:	[EXTERNAL] Additional Parking at Tom Petty Park
Attachments:
Message:	Dear Ms. Mandell and Ms. Waite, As someone who lives near Tom Petty Park and who visits the park at least twice a day with my dogs, I have been quite frustrated by the “improvements.” I do, however, understand that pickleball is popular and that people in our neighborhood enjoy playing pickleball. They look forward to the additional courts. Even they, however, are not happy with adding 41 paved spaces to the park. None of my neighbors really wish to see the great green open space used by numerous groups made even smaller by the addition of paved parking. I respectfully request that a formal Tom Petty Park traffic study be completed so that the city can base any new parking lot construction on a real need identified in data. I am skeptical that there would be a need as it is exceptionally rare that the present parking spaces are filled; however, if there is such a need, I request that alternative parking be considered and dismissed as unreasonable before moving ahead with asphalt paving. Perhaps a grassy overflow parking area could be designated during peak seasons. Perhaps the parking lot at St. Patrick’s where parking spaces are grass and only the road is paved could be a model for Tom Petty Park. Even better, perhaps the city could contract with St. Patrick’s for additional parking when necessary. Thank you for considering my requests. I do realize that regardless of the benefits of a project, not everyone will be happy with the “improvements.” Respectfully, Sam Welker 1605 NE 6 Terrace Gainesville, FL 32609

: Message View