In favor of propositions to keep neighborhoods, parks and trails safe and beautiful | Letter
Published 12:05 pm Friday, July 24, 2015
I am the mother of three boys and love raising my children in Redmond. We spend long afternoons in our favorite parks and many hours on the trails and sports fields. I care about living in a walkable neighborhood as well as the parks and trails staying safe and beautiful which is why I am voting “yes” to propositions 1 and 2 on the upcoming levy.
Proposition 2 raises needed funds that directly impact the parks and trails we use on a daily basis. The plan includes renovation and expansion of the Idylwood parking lot and the replacement of the concession and restroom building. Idylwood is a much loved and popular park in our community and anyone who visits that park on a sunny day is familiar with the overcrowded parking situation. Anyone who visits with a toddler is familiar with the unpleasant restroom situation. Both of them are long overdo for an overhaul.
Proposition 2 includes upgrades to other popular parks including Grass Lawn, Perrigo and Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park as well as smaller neighborhood parks. It would also increase staff in the parks during peak hours, helping to ensure garbages are not overflowing, restrooms are clean and staff is on site to assist citizens if needed.
Proposition 1 will improve pedestrian safety by replacing broken sidewalks, curbs and gutters, making crosswalks more visible and adding missing sidewalks near school zones. I love walking my children to and from school. I consider it my little gift to the teacher that my kids get a 15-minute walk or eight-minute dead sprint and some fresh air before they arrive at the classroom. Living in a walkable neighborhood contributes greatly to our quality of life in Redmond.
Our walkable neighborhoods and our amazing parks and trails make Redmond such a unique and wonderful place to live. Please support keeping them well maintained, safe and beautiful and vote “yes” to propositions 1 and 2.
Lara Lockwood
Redmond
