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Public raises concerns over Eleanor Pardee Park restroom survey; staff to return with action item
Summary
Public commenters and nearby residents told the Parks and Recreation Commission that a recently completed survey on a proposed restroom at Eleanor Pardee Park was biased and lacked safeguards to ensure responses represent park users; staff said a formal action item will come to the commission next month.
Public commenters and some commissioners pressed the Parks and Recreation Commission on a recently completed survey about adding a restroom at Eleanor Pardee Park, saying the survey’s wording and response-tracking make its results unreliable.
The comments came during the commission’s public-comment period on Feb. 25, and staff told the commission they will present an action item with the survey results at the commission’s next meeting.
“Orit,” who identified herself during public comment, said the survey’s main question is leading and “pushes responders to provide a specific answer,” and added that the survey allows people to respond multiple times and can be shared broadly online rather than limited to frequent park users and immediate neighbors. She urged staff to redesign the survey to allow “a fair, authentic and thoughtful perspective.”
Resident Chris Cummings, who said he borders Eleanor Pardee Park, said he supports active park use but raised maintenance and service-level concerns. “I would like to give you some evidence of what’s going on at restrooms at other parks,” Cummings said, citing a regional park restroom that he said has been “in a state of disrepair for now 3 months.” He asked for specifics on how the city will maintain a new restroom and what service-level agreement will apply.
Assistant Director of Community Services Steve Castile introduced the city reports earlier in the meeting. Staff member Sarah (last name not specified) noted in her city report that “next month, just as a heads up, we’ll be bringing an action item on the Eleanor Pardee Park restroom survey,” and commissioners asked staff to include comparative information about recent small-park restrooms such as Ramos Park and Piers Park when they return.
Commissioners and members of the public raised typical concerns about community parks becoming “stay-all-day” destinations if restrooms increase overnight or extended-use activity, and asked staff to analyze traffic, maintenance costs, safety and potential impacts to nearby schools and neighborhoods.
Staff said they will include contextual material for the commission when the item returns, including data about restroom maintenance at comparable parks, response sources for the survey, and possible operational commitments for upkeep.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the restroom at the Feb. 25 meeting; staff said they will return with the survey results and a specific recommendation at an upcoming meeting.
