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Roing Park users call for better restroom maintenance, lighting and a city–community partnership
Summary
Players and community groups told the Fresno Parks Commission that Roing Park’s restrooms are frequently unclean at night, that court lighting and sightlines undermine safety, and that community groups are prepared to help if the city commits to better maintenance and a clearer partnership model.
Players, coaches and community organizers urged Fresno parks officials to fix persistent restroom maintenance and lighting problems at Roing Park and to formalize a city–community partnership to support programming.
At the meeting, Adam Bleakin, who identified himself as a facilitator for Community Tennis Roing Park, showed photos and survey results and said evening restroom cleanings stop in mid-afternoon. “These photos are not an isolated incident,” he said, and asked the city to add evening cleanings (he proposed 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.), improve stocking and provide oversight to discourage loitering. He also asked that any new prefabricated restroom be sited closer to and face the courts so activity around the courts can be seen.
Fresno residents who use the courts backed up the complaints. Chris Kent told commissioners that lights at Roing Park “don’t come on until after it’s already well past dark,” and said his team stopped playing there because of lighting issues. Ying Lakjuda Wilson, founder and CEO of Equity For All, described a free youth tennis series she is running and said access to safe courts matters for young people’s opportunities.
Camila Sutherland, representing the Roing Park Tennis Club (a local 501(c)(3)), offered to organize volunteer cleanup days, clinics and programming and requested a city staff contact to coordinate an "adopt-a-park" or partnership model, emphasizing volunteers should complement, not replace, core city services.
Commissioners and staff acknowledged the concerns and said they are weighing design, maintenance schedules and partnerships as Roing Park upgrades proceed. Parks Director Aaron Giri previously reported that new restroom designs are planned; public commenters pressed for clarity on placement, maintenance staffing, and lighting schedules before construction and installation proceed.
Next steps: residents and nonprofit groups asked the commission to secure a clear written commitment from parks staff on evening cleaning schedules, siting/orientation decisions for new restrooms, and a named staff contact for partnership discussions.
