Public use of De Anza College's all-weather track Mon-Sun 6am-11pm

The Issue

For over 40 years, students, community residents, local children and elderly have enjoyed the use of De Anza College's All-weather track, 7 days a week, often with gates open until midnight. However De Anza College administration, following the voter-approved Measure 'C' funding of almost $8 million dollars for renovation of the De Anza College track, football field and stands, and more than a year of construction with daily disruption, noise and dust affecting students, community residents, children and elderly, have rewarded their community and the many runners and walkers, by greatly restricting access and use of the renovated De Anza College facility and track.
Details from their web site for Measure C projects: http://measurec.fhda.edu/de-anza-college-projects/ - Line item 'Stadium and Track' - On June 6, 2006, voters in the District’s service area approved by a 65.69% margin a $490.8 million bond (Measure C). De Anza Stadium and Track - Minor upgrades & maintenance on bleachers and press boxes. Upgrade bleachers to current ADA standards. Resurface track and replace grass with artificial turf, provide fenced storage under bleachers. Project Budget: $7,811,753.00 Project Funding Source: Measure C Bond Funds Last Update On: 5/31/2013 Thank you to our community members for your support for the Measure C construction, facilities and equipment bond.
De Anza Stadium and Track Regulations: Welcome! Help Us Protect Our Facility by Adhering to These Stadium & Track Rules: Generally, the track will be open to the community on weekdays 7 a.m.-6 p.m. The stadium and track are not open for the community on weekends.
This isn’t the best way that De Anza College administration can show their appreciation to the community who gave their support and money.
De Anza College please show your appreciation to your community who voted for you, and who you are supposed to serve, by again providing full access and use which your community previously enjoyed. Thanks to all for your support!

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Bruce LegaryPetition Starter
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This petition had 156 supporters

The Issue

For over 40 years, students, community residents, local children and elderly have enjoyed the use of De Anza College's All-weather track, 7 days a week, often with gates open until midnight. However De Anza College administration, following the voter-approved Measure 'C' funding of almost $8 million dollars for renovation of the De Anza College track, football field and stands, and more than a year of construction with daily disruption, noise and dust affecting students, community residents, children and elderly, have rewarded their community and the many runners and walkers, by greatly restricting access and use of the renovated De Anza College facility and track.
Details from their web site for Measure C projects: http://measurec.fhda.edu/de-anza-college-projects/ - Line item 'Stadium and Track' - On June 6, 2006, voters in the District’s service area approved by a 65.69% margin a $490.8 million bond (Measure C). De Anza Stadium and Track - Minor upgrades & maintenance on bleachers and press boxes. Upgrade bleachers to current ADA standards. Resurface track and replace grass with artificial turf, provide fenced storage under bleachers. Project Budget: $7,811,753.00 Project Funding Source: Measure C Bond Funds Last Update On: 5/31/2013 Thank you to our community members for your support for the Measure C construction, facilities and equipment bond.
De Anza Stadium and Track Regulations: Welcome! Help Us Protect Our Facility by Adhering to These Stadium & Track Rules: Generally, the track will be open to the community on weekdays 7 a.m.-6 p.m. The stadium and track are not open for the community on weekends.
This isn’t the best way that De Anza College administration can show their appreciation to the community who gave their support and money.
De Anza College please show your appreciation to your community who voted for you, and who you are supposed to serve, by again providing full access and use which your community previously enjoyed. Thanks to all for your support!

avatar of the starter
Bruce LegaryPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy
President of De Anza College, Cupertino, California
Responded
“Thank you for the interest in the use of the track. We do have a deep appreciation for the local voters who supported the bond initiative that built the track, but we are wrestling with the long-term costs not covered by the bond, like maintenance and repairs. Having built the track and facilities, we have made sure it's open as many hours as we can, for instruction, college activities, and community use. But severe cut-backs in state funding over the past five years means we do not have the custodial and grounds staff available for continuous 24 hour use. These staff are not paid for by bond monies. The vast majority of community users of the track have always been respectful and careful in their use of the facilities, but on-going staff support is required because of the abuse of the previous track by some people who left trash and food, or used the field for any manner of activities where the artificial turf could not support it. We've had impromptu wedding celebrations, picnics, cook-outs, and all manner of food and drink left on the grass. In the case of artificial turf, where we save the cost of water and grass cutting, we cannot have debris left to grind into the turf. In other words, we have to close the field when we cannot insure its proper use, as it would be an abuse of the public trust to simply let the field deteriorate, or endure usage we could not repair. We do ask for your understanding, and invite you to use the track during its posted open hours. On our end, we will continue to look for ways to increase our support for the facilities, but I do have to be honest about how limited our resources are right now. Thank you, Brian Murphy President De Anza College”
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Petition created on June 10, 2013