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Neighbors object to park lights
Ashland sports advocates want fields lit at night By DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- Thirty people addressed the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Monday night concerned about lighting in North Mountain Park. Neighbors decried the proposed lights, saying they would blot out the night sky, decrease property values and disturb neighbors as people wandered to their cars after the late night games. "This will ensure no one sleeps in the North Mountain neighborhood late into the night," said Bonnie Moody, who lives near the park. Sports advocates, though, stressed the need for maximizing the time the ballfields will be available. Some children have been forced to play in other towns because there aren't enough fields in Ashland, one coach said. "I've seen some of the sad faces of kids who can't play because we don't have the facilities," said Ken Newfield, another sports advocate. After listening to the comments for about two hours, the commission decided to study the issue further before deciding whether to install lights at the fields. They said there's a need for more discussion between the neighbors and the sports advocates. The lights would allow soccer, softball and baseball teams to play long after the sun has gone down. "We have a lot of work to do," concluded Park chairwoman JoAnne Eggers. The commission will study what type of lights may create the least disturbance in the neighborhoods, how late the lights would need to stay on for games and what the effect will be on neighbors. Members also said they would study the issue of parking at the park. Many neighbors worried there is not nearly enough parking to accommodate players and their parents, which will force sports enthusiasts to park in nearby neighborhoods. North Mountain Park is about 37.5 acres, with about 23 acres devoted to sports fields. The rest is designated for a natural area. The parks department recommended lighting one soccer field, one baseball field and one softball field. Although the lights will cause some disturbance to animals in the natural area, it is not expected to be severe, staff environmentalists concluded. Some at the public hearing said that the lights have always been in the discussions regarding the park, while others said they never heard anyone mention the lights before. City staff members estimated the cost of the lights will be about $300,000. Two commissioners suggested that the sports enthusiasts should help pay the cost. "We're not sure we can afford this whole lighting," said Commissioner Sally Jones. "And it looks like we'll need help from the sports advocates." In other action, the commission voted to remove one small dam on Ashland Creek in Lithia Park, and build fish passages at two other dams to provide better habitat. Government fish and wildlife agencies will review the plans before construction moves forward. |
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