There was a Walk for Woods Park Wednesday afternoon. A group of park supporters and nearby residents are voicing their concerns over plans by a non-profit to expand the tennis courts and add parking on the south side of the park.
Deb Kuwamoto was among the many “Keep It Green” advocates who took part in a march on Wednesday afternoon. She tells KLIN News there’s no room for a new facility. “The neighborhood can’t sustain this continual growth and traffic,” Kuwamoto says. “It’s not that we don’t like tennis, it’s just they’re having regional tournaments. The neighborhood parking, etc. is just not sustainable.”
The park also has an Olympic size pool and a baseball field for Wesleyan University and both host large events throughout the summer. Hans Gilda lives near Woods Park and tells KLIN News a new tennis facility should be built in another part of town. “They have a facility here that is good. To expand they need to do it somewhere else.”
Friends of Woods Tennis have said that is not an option because the Wood Park courts are a tennis hub. The plans include three additional outdoor courts on green space on the southeast corner of the park.
That would strip away the grassy area and lead to the removal of dozens of trees along J Street between 31st and 33rd. Kuwamato says it’s important that area stay green. “Keep It Green” supporters will hold another walk Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The city will hold a public meeting on March 2 at 11 a.m. at the Woods Park Place Building. Additional meetings have been scheduled for March 4 and March 5.
