Guest opinion Guest opinion (January 02, 2004)

Bernal park could invite people to slow down and connect Bernal park could invite people to slow down and connect (January 02, 2004)

by Rachel McElhinney

I'd like to share my thoughts on the recent editorial (Dec. 12) regarding a sports park on the Bernal property. I am not sure of the politics involved with this issue, but I'm glad you offered an opportunity to re-think uses for the property.

As a parent who spent many hours at the Sports Park, on gymnasium bleachers and camped out at the Aquatic Center, I am grateful that Pleasanton provides recreational opportunities for our youth.

However, I am concerned that the recreational opportunities for a growing number of Pleasanton residents are being overlooked, and I am hopeful they may be met at the Bernal property.

There are many Pleasanton residents who are unable to participate in sports but still enjoy the outdoors. I am hopeful a beautifully landscaped city park will be built for all Pleasantonians to enjoy.

I have fibromyalgia and my sports days (such as they were) are over. However, I still enjoy walking and enjoying the natural beauty of our surroundings. But where is the park for me in Pleasanton? Ridgelands? Too steep. Kottinger? Small neighborhood parks are just that - small and sparsely landscaped.

If I had my choice I would be robust and healthy, but having to slow down has also been a blessing. It's given me a chance to see that there are a lot of people in Pleasanton just like me - 40 and 50 somethings who no longer have the crisp young knees to jog, seniors too frail for sports teams, and children too young to compete. I see klutzes and couch potatoes of all ages who would never use a sports park, but would come out and enjoy a sunny day or the change of seasons. I see painters, gardeners and budding writers looking for inspiration. I see chess and checker players, readers, and nappers looking for a quiet spot. I see people too shy or too busy for team sports who would enjoy a place to connect and unwind. What I don't see much anymore is all the people I met as we shared the bleachers. Those sports days were over in a blink, but I'd still love to see you all at The Park. I hope Pleasanton will make that happen.

I also hear complaints about bikers, traffic and noise downtown. Would you enjoy a break from this? Would you meet your friends for coffee in a beautiful setting? (Sports moms, would you be willing to bring snacks?) And I hear kids complaining of nothing to do. Would you make time with your kids to teach them the joy of doing nothing, if Pleasanton built such a park?

I would love to have a large city park with wide pathways for strolling, beautiful flowers to admire, and large inviting benches. This kind of park welcomes everyone and promotes a sense of community. This kind of park invites people to slow down and connect. It provides a place for reflection and retreat. It fosters creativity and refreshes frazzled nerves. This kind of park is an alternative to all the stress I heard about in my years at the Sports Park. It's a place without rosters, schedules, competition and hurt feelings. Every child makes the team, everyone wins, self-esteem is intact, and it's an alternative to drugs. Oh, did I mention you don't need to buy special shoes, equipment or a uniform? City parks are great that way. Just come as you are.

A sports park provides another place for rushing about. Do Pleasantonians want to do more rushing about or would it be nice to have a place to slow down? Another sports park gives parents a chance to watch their kids, but a city park gives parents a chance to actually be with their kids. Great city parks do that.

I hope to see you at the park. Rachel McElhinney is a longtime Pleasanton resident who spent many hours as a parent at the Sports Park; she says a park on the Bernal property should cater to the rest of the community and be a place for people to slow down and connect.

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