Bruce,<br><br>Thanks for bringing this up -- I (and David Lingua) had assumed that better nets were available, and we were working to figure out what they were (though I also suspect that this was discussed in the "day after" meeting between Town Administrator Imhulse and Public Works Director Addison, and I have not had a chance to find out what they discussed yet because of an ongoing "day job" emergency). I'll pass on to them that they can contact Paint Branch golf course if they need that information. I think we can find the money somewhere in the budget so everyone can get back to our regular jobs.<br>
<br>Best,<br><br>Alan<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 6:08 PM, Bruce Wernek <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:bruce.wernek@mindspring.com">bruce.wernek@mindspring.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">I think it’s pretty apparent that the nets are not going
to be taken down from time to time. Rather than devote all of these
resource to minding the nets, why not change them. Golf courses uses nets
which are designed to stop golf balls and not injure birds. The Paint
Branch golf course on University Blvd uses this type of net around their
driving range. I walk Edgar (dog) just about every Saturday morning along
the bike path next to the driving range and I have never seen a bird or any
other animal tangled in the nets. These nets are ~30 ft high and hundreds
of yards long. Why not purchase this type of netting and install it at
the Field of Dreams? This way the police can spend their time policing,
the councilman from Ward 2 can spend his time governing, and the residents can
spent their time on more productive pursuits. Given the level of effort
required to mind the nets and possible punitive ordinances, this will be the
cheapest solution to the problem.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Paint Branch golf course used to a have similar net surrounding the
pond to the west of the driving range. It was removed a little over a
year ago. This net may have been stored so that it could be used to
repair the net surrounding the driving range. This being the case, the folks
at Paint Branch golf course may not mind donating a small section to the
Town given that the net was ~30 ft high by ~100 yards long. At the very
least, Paint Branch golf course can provide the Town with contact information
for the purchase of this type of netting. I can’t imagine it costing
more than a few hundred dollars.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Bruce</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<a href="mailto:towntalk-bounces@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk-bounces@riverdale-park.org</a>
[mailto:<a href="mailto:towntalk-bounces@riverdale-park.org" target="_blank">towntalk-bounces@riverdale-park.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Lingua<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, July 17, 2010 6:04 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> TownTalk<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RP TownTalk] Field of Dreams Update</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Neighbors,<br>
As Mayor Archer is away on vacation, I'd like to
share with you the steps being taken right now to assure there is not a
repeat of what happened last Monday morning at the Field of Dreams. I have
asked our police department for their assistance in making sure the nets are
down and the field is cleared by dusk (IE 25 minutes after sunset). Officers
will also remind those using the field of the responsibility to lower the
nets when they have finished. This request was made fully aware, that while
best efforts will be made, calls for assistance and emergencies can come at
anytime and are a priority. Please keep this in mind as we move forward.<br>
Thank you to those residents who have assisted with
lowering the nets when they see the field is not in use as well as those who
have offered to volunteer to do as much. One of the keys to successful
commons management is the involvement of the community. It has been, and will
continue to be, the town's effort to provide open space for the community to
enjoy while posing minimal risk to residential property and wildlife habitat.
This is the challenge we, the town, will attend to by pursuing arrangements
like we have with Ipaltecos Ausentes to help with maintaining the field, and
making sure those the town issues a use permit to do so responsibly by
meeting the town's expectations.<br>
We're fortunate to have such an intimate open space
tucked in a metropolitan area that some of god's creatures call home as well.
Coexistence is possible. Through the efforts of the council, town staff and
residents it can be sustainable.<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
David J. Lingua<br>
Acting Mayor<br>
Councilman Ward 3<br>
Town of Riverdale Park, MD</p>
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