Dear Sirs:
 
I spent this afternoon hiking with my dog at Bayfront Park, taking time
to think about your possible plans for future development of this area
for a golf course and/or new soccer fields.
 
This area is very unique in that it is one of the few undeveloped areas
on the Peninsula. Today it was being used by numerous people. There
were several joggers, a number of folks walking their dogs, a parent
and young child riding their bikes, a family pushing one elderly member
in a wheelchair. The age ranged from about 6 years old to about 85.
 
I saw very little litter along the trails which seems to indicate that
the people who use this area value it. On any given day, I find (and
pick up) more litter in Holbrook Palmer Park than I saw today during a 2
hour walk!
 
It is very quiet there. Once I walked beyond the first trail to the
right, I could see the traffic along the Dumbarton Bridge thoroughfare
but I could no longer hear it. I tried to imagine how noisy it would be
with numerous soccer fields, more cars, people yelling, etc.
 
I'm not sure I can understand your possible plans for a golf course
there either, when we have Coyote Point to the north and Palo Alto and
Shoreline golf courses immediately to the south. My husband plays golf
weekly at Shoreline and he never has a problem getting on the course.
 
Today I observed Canadian geese, ducks, egrets, jack rabbits, ground
squirrels and other water birds. People seemed to be genuinely enjoying
their time at this place because it is a quiet haven away from all the
traffic and built up cities along the Peninsula.
 
I think you have a unique and prized area in Bayfront Park! Please
think carefully before making changes which would negatively impact not
only all the wildlife and birds who live there but also the people who
regularly use the area.
 
 Bayfront Park is easily accessible, quiet, and calming, yet it offers a
wonderful place to hike, ride bikes, push strollers or wheelchairs and
exercise dogs. We need to preserve places like this for our sanity and
well-being!
 
Respectfully,
 
Caryn White
Atherton Resident
 
 
 
 
Received on Sun Oct 30 23:55:35 2005