Chatsworth Park Parking Lot Must Not Happen

I recently learned of the plan to replace a large section of grass near the entrance to Chatsworth Park South with a gravel parking lot. This lot has been promoted by and is primarily for the benefit of people bringing in horse trailers.

This will significantly affect the quality of life in the adjacent Rockpointe residential development. It will interfere with views. It will pollute the neighborhood with the noise, truck exhaust, and horse excrement smells produced by this activity. It will also increase truck and trailer traffic on the approach to the park, which goes directly through the Rockpointe development. That will result in decreased property values for the Rockpointe residents and their homeowners association.

As others have pointed out, there is no need to do this as part of the remediation program because the land was not included in the areas that needed remediation. In fact, it is currently open to the public for recreation and occasional special event parking. Those needs can continue to be met with simple grading and replacement of the grass with a sturdier turf better able to withstand the occasional use as a parking lot solely for special events. A gravel parking lot and ongoing regular use for equestrian activity are unnecessary and unwanted by the local community.

Meetings and information regarding the plan were not well publicized. In fact, I don't know anyone who was aware of it. This is an example of special interests (equestrians) using government to take actions detrimental to the local community without adequately involving that community in the decision-making process.

As a Rockpointe resident not adjacent to that proposed parking lot, I am fully opposed to it. My votes in future City Council elections will largely hinge on this issue that directly impacts my family and neighbors.