We, the undersigned residents, park users, and community members, call on the Albany City Council and PROS Commission to pause the current sand volleyball court project at Ocean View Park, and take the time to study better locations such as Peggy Thomsen Park, Memorial Park,  Albany Beach at the Albany Bulb or even center median at the Key Route Blvd..

While we support new recreational opportunities, this specific location at Ocean View Park — a shared, grassy area next to the Redwood Grove and Community Garden — is simply not appropriate for this type of development.

❌ Why This Location Is Unsuitable: 
- This project requires deep excavation, 95% soil compaction, and heavy construction trucks transporting 200–300 tons of sand to the site, along with installing drainage systems—all within the root zone of already declining mature redwood trees—likely accelerating their decline and causing their premature death, despite the city arborist’s current efforts to preserve the grove through thinning and pruning.

- Parking is a serious issue. The small lot fills up quickly, especially with the new pickleball courts, which are heavily used by players from Berkeley, Kensington, and other nearby cities. During busy hours, overflow parking stretches along both the north and south sides of Buchanan Street, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

- Parents picking up children from the Friendship Club daycare and afterschool program are now competing for parking during peak hours. This creates stress and risk for children and families who should have safe and easy access.

- The grassy lawn is actively used every day: families lay out blankets in the sun, babies crawl and explore the grass, children run and play, casual volleyball players use the existing poles, and seniors and grandparents rest under the redwoods while watching their grandkids pick dandelions or chase butterflies. This is not underused space — it is well-loved and shared by many.

- Although the site is flat, it is small and already fully activated as flexible open space. Installing a permanent sand court would displace existing uses and limit community access to one of the few unstructured, natural areas in the park.

- The city staff recommending this project do not live in Albany and do not understand the park’s daily rhythm or community needs. Decisions like this — rushed, disconnected, and poorly communicated — result in the loss of what already works.

❌ Practical Concerns About the Sand Volleyball Court
- Sand volleyball is played barefoot, but this site is directly under trees that drop leaves and debris, making it difficult to keep the court clean and safe.

- The court’s location is in a less visible corner of the park, raising concerns about nighttime activity, concealed hangouts, and the presence of broken glass or trash in the sand.

- Cats and other animals are likely to use the sand as a litter box, creating hygiene issues.

- Volleyball requires clear space beyond the court’s boundaries to allow safe play. This site does not provide enough buffer zone.

- There is already a grass volleyball court without a permanent net in this park that is seldom used. If it cannot be maintained successfully, it’s unlikely that a more expensive sand court with permanent infrastructure will fare better.

- Sand volleyball courts are typically built in groups of 3-4 to support multiple games and community use. A single court limits usability and community benefit.

🏞 The Lawn Is Already a Well-Loved Shared Space
Contrary to city staff claims, this grassy area is not underused. As regular parkgoers, we see:

Children playing tag, splashing in puddles, or crawling on the grass
Families enjoying picnics and sunshine
Teens gathering and celebrating cultural festivals like Holi
Grandparents watching their grandkids play
Gardeners tending plots daily
Casual Lawn Volleyball players enjoying a relaxed game
This is one of Albany’s last unprogrammed, flexible green spaces. Why sacrifice it for a sand court that will serve only a small subset of users (4-person sports; 2 on each team)?

💵 It’s a Costly and Rushed Use of Public Money
- The proposed court could cost $100,000-$200,000+ depending on site prep, sand, drainage, and materials.
- The plan has been rushed, without a thorough community design process.
- The staff promoting the project do not live in Albany and do not use this park daily, leading to decisions disconnected from local needs.
 
✅ What We’re Asking For:
We respectfully ask the City of Albany and its city council to:

>>>Pause all work on the Ocean View Park sand volleyball court design
>>>Conduct a full parking, tree health and community impact review
>>>Explore alternative locations such as:

~Peggy Thomsen Park
~Memorial Park
~Albany Beach at the Albany Bulb (a natural sand environment suited for Sand/Beach Volleyball!)
~The center median of Key Route Boulevard near Albany High School (close to students and already public land)
Involve the public in a transparent, inclusive planning process
 
This is not a protest against volleyball — it's a call for good design, smart planning, and community respect. Albany deserves better than a rushed, expensive project that risks harming our beloved Redwood Grove and displacing a beloved open space.

Let’s take a step back and get it right.
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