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Gilroy parks commission recommends keeping two small park parking lots closed after residents describe crime and noise
Summary
After extended public comment describing drug activity, parties and safety risks, the Parks & Recreation Commission voted to recommend the City Council keep the Wayland and Hannah parking lots at Los Animas Park closed pending police input, lighting and community outreach.
After extensive public testimony the Parks & Recreation Commission voted to recommend that the City Council keep the Hannah and Wayland parking lots at Los Animas Park closed while staff and the council study safety improvements.
John (the staff member leading the briefing) explained the lots had been closed after safety concerns during the COVID period and said gates were installed following Council authorization in 2022. "We left those barricades out sort of as a trial run to see who was going to complain," John said, describing a trial closure around holiday events and noting the city had not performed soil testing or other intrusive studies at the sites.
Neighborhood residents told the commission the closures restored safety and peace of mind. "Since the land night side gate to the parking lot has been closed, safety, peace of mind, and overall calmness have been restored," Shannon Glasper, who said she represents four homes adjacent to the Wayland lot, told the commission. Several other speakers described drug activity, loud music, fights and repeated calls to law enforcement when the lots were open.
Commissioners discussed practical mitigation measures including improved lighting, enforceable security patrol routes and better ADA-compliant striping and accessible path-of-travel if the lots reopen. Commissioners also raised concerns about parking capacity once new facilities like pickleball courts come online.
After discussion the commission made a recommendation to the City Council: keep the Hannah and Wayland parking lots closed pending a further staff evaluation of safety, input from the police department regarding enforcement and patrol feasibility, a cost/feasibility study for lighting and ADA work, and additional community outreach to gather resident feedback. The commission’s recommendation will be conveyed to the council; staff told commissioners public comment received at the commission will be included in materials sent to the council.
The commission did not set a reopening date and emphasized that any reopening would be contingent on council direction and identified safety conditions.
