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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