HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 01 08 Regular 300 Youth Team Practice Policy
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 300
Regular
January 8, 2007
Regular Meeting
Mgr. / Dept.
Authorization
REQUEST:
Requesting that the City Commission review the information in this
Agenda Item and decide if they want to implement any new policy(s)
related to Youth Team practices at Trotwood Park.
PURPOSE:
To review Sybilwood Circle residents concerns regarding Youth Sports
Team practices at Trotwood Park.
CONSIDERATIONS:
. Several residents who live on Sybil wood Circle with their back yards adjacent to
Trotwood Park have continually expressed concerns regarding Youth Sports Team
practices at Trotwood Park.
. Parks and Recreation staff has notified by mail each of them regarding this opportunity to
express their concerns.
. The Trotwood Youth Sports Fields are only scheduled for youth Ages 6-18 years old and
for practices only (no games).
. The Soccer/Lacrosse Fields have a north/south orientation which minimizes the number
of balls going over residents fences. The goal areas are on north and south ends with the
sidelines on the west side (nearest to the residents). There is approximately 40 ft. from
the sidelines to the resident's fences.
. The Baseball/Softball Field is oriented east/west which minimizes the number of balls
going over the residents fences because it is beyond the outfield.
· The park has no controlled access like at Central Winds Park. Unscheduled practices and
other users periodically use the fields. Parks and Recreation part time staff monitor field
usage as time permits.
. Parks and Recreation staff, along with the Winter Springs Police Department have
worked with the Youth Leagues in an attempt to minimize the noise and lights as follows.
1. Sound/Noise Meter Readings have been taken by the Winter Springs Police
Department and showed there is no violation of the Noise Ordinance.
2. Permits for team practices now have different practice ending times for regular
time (8:00 p.m.) and for daylight saving time (6:00 p.m.) and they are to leave a Y2
hour before dark. Permits also state no vehicle lights are to be used to enhance
activities or meetings at the fields.
3. In the past soccer teams did use headlights to extend practices. Also car
headlights have been turned on to pickup players after dark and to talk to the
coach or other parents. Parks and Recreation addressed this issue with the Soccer
Club.
4. Parks and Recreation and the Sports Leagues are mind-full of the resident's needs
and are trying to accommodate them as best they can.
. Parks and Recreation staff currently does not have part time staff assigned to only
Trotwood Park. A part-time presence will be at Trotwood Park after the splash
playground is completed and operational. That part time staff person could go over to the
fields when the splash playground closes at dusk and monitor the car light problem.
. Parks and Recreation has researched planting trees and shrubs that would help buffer the
sound and lights. The distance is 1,000 ft. and the cost is estimated to be about $ 75,000.
FUNDING:
N/ A at this time.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Parks and Recreation recommends that the City Commission review residents concerns
and Parks and Recreation information and decide if they want to implement any new
policy(s) regarding youth team practices at Trotwood Park.
A TT ACHMENTS:
1. Residents Letters.
2. New Facility Reservation Permit.
COMMISSION ACTION:
ATTACHMENT #1
RECEIVED
NOV 2 2 2006
To: John F. Bush
Mayor, Winter Springs FL
1126 East State Road 434
Winter Springs FL 32708
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
Reply to
Attn. of: John A. Wells
761 Sybilwood Cir.
Winter Springs, Fl32708
Tel: 407-699-0023
Subject: . Trotwood Park
Dear Mayor Bush,
I would like to begin by congratulating you on your reelection as Mayor of Winter Springs.
I have met you and talked with you some yeMs ago about the soccer fields immediately behind my
house in Trotwood PMk. I still have concerns which I would like to bring to your attention.
Since the fields were designated as soccer fields there have been many problems for those of us
who live on this part of Sybilwood Circle. A major problem is the noise generated by coaches
yelling instructions, the players, and pMents/spectators during practices and games. Soccer rivals
any sport I have known for producing noise. An added problem is the players not observing the
hours of the park operation. They continually stay in the pMk after dusk and sometimes use
automobile lights (or the full moon) to continue play.
I built my home here in December of 1980. I understand one of the Commissioners when told
about our complaints stated "they shouldn't have bought homes next to a soccer field(sic)". There
were no soccer fields when most of these houses were built. We enjoyed a pristine area with
reeds, trees and a small spring/wet area where the smaller of the two lakes is now. Our
"neighbors" in our backyMd were racoons, Bobwhite Quail, Whip-poor-wills, Opossums, etc.
A few yeMs after we built our home, the large earth moving equipment came in and took off
several feet of topsoil, and destroyed our nature preserve to build which later were to become
soccer fields. All of the houses immediately adjacent to the soccer fields were built long before the
fields were in place. There is a definite negative impact on the value of these houses because of
these fields. When prospects for the home next to me asked about there being any problem with
the noise, I told them the truth and the home was slow to sell.
The first soccer fields were set up East and West. Our fences became backstops. Many balls were
hit into our yards and players broke quite a few of our pickets retrieving their balls.
Our fences were a convenient backstop for balls and players and coaches said "this is a park"
when I would ask them to move to other goals which were usually not being used.
I began my complaints at that time in the form ofletters and attended meetings on the park
where I voiced my displeasure. I believe it was at that time you came out and talked to me. I
believe you recognized there was a problem and I recall your commenting that a berm might be in
order or a some sort of a buffer between the fields and our homes. The goals were changed to
North and South which helped but balls are quite often still hit over our fences. This poses a real
threat of injury to us in our backyards. My wife has had three concussions in the past and would
probably not survive another. A soccer ball hit with enough force to go over a six foot fence
could kill her. This goes for lacrosse balls and golfballs which I find quite frequently in my yard.
I want to go on record as stating this is a real danger to residents who adjoin these fields!
I worked for a two star general in the U.S. Air Force and his policy was "Don't bring me a
problem without some workable solutions!" In keeping with that, I offer the following
Remove the soccer nets on the fields immediately adjacent to homes along Sybilwood Circle. This
would eliminate the danger of balls being hit over our fences. It would also move the noise of
play further away. The fields could be used for kite flying, make up games of football, family
games etc., although there would be some noise generated. The city would have to look for other
places for the two soccer fields if the demand is that strong.
At one time, there was a fitness trail where people could jog or walk through the park into the
woods behind the large lake and there were bridges over the drainage ditches by the water plant
and back through the main park to the fields. There were exercise(sit up, etc.) points along the
way. That could be restored with the present soccer fields as part of the trail. It was also a great
place to walk your dog on a leash (with poop bags) as many of us used to do. I don't think people
like the idea of having to put dogs in the car to take them to the dog park, especially with the cost
of gasoline.
The present rules for the closing of the soccer fields should be enforced! Coaches and players
should be told that the dawn to dusk rule will be enforced and they should vacate the fields by
dusk. A routine check by law enforcement each day might be necessary with warnings and fines
for violations.
I hope that these problems can be resolved in the near future and that we can feel safe in our
backyards again as well as find relief from the noise problems.
Sincerely,
John A. Wells
Page 1 of 1
Chuck Pula
From: Chris Caldwell
Sent: Thursday, September 21,20068:25 AM
To: Chuck Jenkins
Cc: Chuck Pula
Subject: RE: City of Winter Springs ORDINANCE NO. 2005-16
I have passed this on to Chuck Pula, our Director, and he will have the Code Enforcement Officer check the noise levels at
Trotwood Park.
Chris Caldwell
Athletic Supervisor
Winter Springs Parks & Recreation
1126 E. SR 434
Winter Springs, FL 32708
407-327-6589
407-327-4763 fx
email: ccaldwell@winterspringsfl.org
website: www.winterspringsfl.org
"IT STARTS IN PARKS"
From: Chuck Jenkins [mailto:cjenkins3@dl.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 4:31 PM
To: Chris Caldwell
Subject: City of Winter Springs ORDINANCE NO. 2005-16
Chris Caldwell
I would appreciate it if you'd check this ordinace regarding unacceptable noise levels at Trottwood Park. In accordance with this ordinance the
maximum level is 60 dbs. Whistles and constant screaming is clearly well above that level. I would greatly appreciate it if you advise the
coaches of this and ask that they tone their practices down accordingly.
Respectfully
Chuck Jenkins
407-696-1334
cc: Chuck Pula
Mayor John Bush
12/28/2006
Page 2 of2
To: Chris Caldwell
Subject: FW: Question....
This might be for you.
-----Original Message-----
From:
sent: Friday, September 29,20062:45 PM
To: Christopher Carson
Cc:
Subject: Question....
Hey Chris. Can you let me know if you can shed some light on this? Thanks.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Flannigan
sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:00 PM
To: Chris Deisler
Cc:
Subject: trotwood park
Lt.
We have had several complaints come in reference subjects in the park after hours. The time they were there was
questionable for interpretation of when they are to be out of there. The sign says at dark but it was not completely dark
yet in my interpretation. The soccer players there have permission from the parks to be there. Can you or someone call
the parks office and find out if there is a specific time they need to be gone. Or at least make them aware of the constant
complaints we are getting.
12/28/2006
Page 1 of2
Chuck Pula
From: Chris Caldwell
Sent: Friday, September 29,20064:49 PM
To: Chuck Pula
Subject: FW: Question....
fyi
Chris Caldwell
Athletic Supervisor
Winter Springs Parks & Recreation
1126 E. SR 434
Winter Springs, FL 32708
407-327-6589
407-327-4763 fx
email: ccaldwell@winterspringsfl.org
website: www.winterspringsfl.org
"IT STARTS IN PARKS"
From: Chris Deisler
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 4:44 PM
To: Chris Caldwell
Subject: RE: Question....
Thank you, sir. Hopefully, this will clear it up for night shifts.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Caldwell
Sent: Friday, September 29,20063:33 PM
To: Chris Deisler; Jim Flannigan
Cc: Kevin Brunelle; Chuck Pula
Subject: RE: Question....
Chris & Jim,
Yes, the soccer players are scheduled through our department for practice at Trotwood Park Soccer Fields. The permit is
attached, see times and comments on the permit. We have had several complaints from a Mr. Chuck Jenkins and we
have made adjustments with times and have communicated with Soccer groups. Mr. Jenkins has had several altercations
with coaches in which our Police were called out. We are aware of the situation. Not sure what else we can do. Thanks
Chris Caldwell
Athletic Supervisor
Winter Springs Parks & Recreation
1126 E. SR 434
Winter Springs, FL 32708
407-327-6589
407-327-4763 fx
email: ccaldwell@winterspringsfl.org
website: www.winterspringsfl.org
"IT STARTS IN PARKS"
From: Christopher Carson
Sent: Friday, September 29,20063:16 PM
12/28/2006
ATTACHMENT #2
WS Sports
a division of the Winter Springs Parks & Recreation Department
Date:
1126 East State Road; Winter Springs, Fl. 32708
www.winterspringsfl.org Office 407-327-6589 Fax
FACILITY RESERVATION
USER must have permit in his/her possession during use of facility.
group or organization to have use of the facility for the time period
transferable and are good ONLY for the dates and times listed.
to reschedule or cancels this permit.
above listed
s are not
gs reserves the right
ORGANIZATION
Organization:
President:
CENTRAL FLA UNI
Bill Christie
RESERVATIONS
Name:
CWP Expansion Park Fields
Monday - Field I
Tuesday - Field H & I
Wednesday -Field I
Thursday - Field H & I
Please leave fields at dusk, approx Y2 hour before dark.
No lights on vehicles are to be used to enhance activities or meetings at field.
PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THE GOALS, they get damaged...Thanks
Inform the Parks & Recreation department with any concerns, problems or safety issues.
APPROVAL
eM;' (Ja1lJ
February 1,2007
DATE
AUTHORIZED BY: Chris Caldwell