Resumen en español abajo. Gracias �� 

PETITION IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST SAVING A PLAYGROUND!! 

IT IS ABOUT HUMANIZING OLD TOWN RESIDENTS !

IT IS ABOUT PLACING HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY & WELL-BEING ABOVE GREED, BIOTECH DEMANDS & DISRESPECTFUL CONSTRUCTION & NEVER-ENDING HIGH RISES!

IT IS ABOUT EQUALITY!

IT IS ABOUT RESPECTING AND PRESERVING OLD TOWN'S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, VALUE & CHARM!

City of SSF is planning to take away our only Old Town playground, CYPRESS PARK, as well as the PINE/LINDEN green area & parking lot. SSF has received BILLIONS in developer impact fees, without benefit to our community of Old Town (Downtown) that has been the most affected and impacted by the biotech industry. High rises continue to inundate area without any consideration to historical charm & significance of Old Town, resident's need for playgrounds, parks, and teen/senior programs & services. There is no respect or consideration for setbacks, where existing residents are being forced to open windows to concrete walls and loss of natural sunlight and enjoyment of homes from high-rises (ex., 310 Miller).

Old Town area has been historically underserved & underrepresented for decades and have been directly impacted by the biotech industry and high rises, without any consideration or direct benefit to an already socioeconomic disadvantaged community from the collection of impact fees that the City collects from developers. There are more than ample funds to renovate Cypress Park in a safe and respectful playground for children. Currently, Cypress Park is in DEPLORABLE CONDITION and in need of age-appropriate and safe play structures, i.e.  infant swings, a full-size padded basketball court, trees, etc. There exists only one working teen-age swing set in the entire playground. Unacceptable!

Please refer to Letter to Editor to "The Daily Journal" July 17-18, 2021 that I submitted, referencing our lived experiences of being underserved and to the TWO city of SSF's Park, Rec & Open Space Master Plan reports dating 1990 and 2015, specifically mentioning ACUTE PROBLEM in lack of programs for youth & parks in Old Town. For us who have been raised here, have children, or are seniors, there is ABSOLUTELY NO need for any written reports, as our lived experiences are testament to our way of life and neglect we’ve experienced from the lack of investing in Old Town from the collection of funds by the City and as equal contributors of SSF economy and history. Old Town neighborhood is deserving of PRESERVATION & RESPECT OF ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE and CHARM that is UNIQUE to SSF that is currently and forever being destroyed by the masses of high rises.

Pine Green Lot (Pine & Linden) is SACRED GROUND for our community. YOUTH are innocently born into area that lacks equitable opportunities, and disparities exist. Youth who tragically lost their lives should be honored and humanized with dignity and respect deserved, as victims of neglect by our local leaders, disparities and prejudices that continue to exist, throughout many generations. A gazebo with garden/bench seating and additional trees would bring cultural and tradition to a vibrant predominant Latinx community. Improvements would bring much needed pride and sense of belonging to a community that has faced INJUSTICES and PREJUDICES over the years.

SENIOR CITIZENS who face dangers of loneliness lack a safe place for socialization and outdoor recreational area, as well as local artists in providing beautification for promoting their artwork. The community is in need of a YOUTH PROGRAM/SERVICE CENTER AND A COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER. Our only facility is the poorly maintained Boys & Girls Club, which only offers a limited under-resourced school program and is not a full-service center in comparison to other Bay Area city's center. There is a lack of outreach, resources and services for non-English speakers, as well as for struggling local businesses, many of which are small family owned.

Old Town has been DISCRIMINATED and CONTINUOUSLY MARGINALIZED BY THE CITY. We are further silenced by the lack of outreach and opportunities AT THE CITY'S "EQUITY" TABLES.

It is incomprehensible to learn that a POLITICAL group, "FRIENDS OF OLD TOWN" further takes advantage of an already disadvantaged community by learning of an apparent TRADE DEAL with local government officials in removing Cypress playground, WITHOUT the members having lived in our shoes or understanding of Old Town’s challenges and barriers for equitable access to parks and recreational opportunities. 

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT KEEPING CYPRESS/PINE PLAYGROUND, REQUEST IMPROVEMENTS AT PINE LOT, I.E. GAZEBO; PREVENT FURTHER OVERBURDENING AREA OF UNAFFORDABLE HIGH RISE BUILDINGS; and MAINTAIN PARKING LOT FOR COMMUNITY USE

 

Por favor de apoyar Petición en Salvar Parquecito Cypress, localizado por la calle Cypress y Pine y prevenir MÁS edificios altos. Llamar atención a Ciudad exigiendo programas y servicios para jóvenes y personas de mayor edad. EL Pueblo Viejo ha sido ignorado por décadas y nuestras voces no han sido aceptadas con igualdad y contribuyentes. Gracias ��