Adding lights to the volleyball courts

There is the issue of the Kennedy Park volleyball court lights going around. I published the petition for that last week. The petition is to push a meeting to resolve the issue, the volleyball players want the installed asap. 

I spoke with Kevin Kirwin, Parks Director for the City of Miami. He told me that the lights are on the agenda. There has been a hold up because he is working with the Planning Department, Public Works and a few others.

The park restrooms, playground and security lighting for the park also need to happen according to Kevin.

Speaking about the volleyball lighting he says, "It's a great idea. Lighting is relatively  inexpensive." But he tells me that a few of the neighbors in the area want the park closed at night.

The park used to close at sunset, but people would still be in the park complaining to the rangers that it was still light out, so set times were put in place. Rangers close the park at about 8:30 to 8:45 pm in the summer. I asked Kevin why the park is closed at all, while other parks have easy access all the time, namely Peacock Park and Regatta Park, in the Grove. He said he wasn't sure, it was just something that's always been done. 

As for the new technology for volleyball lighting, Kevin tells me it won't be seen far from the volleyball court, so it won't be shining in anyone's windows at night.

I personally don't have an opinion, I don't live near the park, so I don't know what annoyances people in the park might cause at night. I understand that once volleyball is allowed at night then who is to stop groups from congregating to hang out, picnic, run, play, whatever, and that may disturb the quiet neighborhood after dark.

I asked neighbors in the North Grove for their opinions, I would say most people approve of it. Some comments I received are here, I didn't post their names, I don't think that matters:

"I signed the petition a couple of weeks ago. Not sure what the big deal is with the lights taking so long to install. I approve the lights and think it would make the park a little safer after sundown; not just for the volleyball players, but for dog walkers, runners etc. So long as the lights are off around 10 pm, which is the time the public tennis courts shut down their lights."

"As a Coconut Grove homeowner and neighbor to the park, I strongly support this proposal of illuminating the volleyball courts during park hours. It will create enormous benefit to the community."

"Count me as opposed to lighting up the courts at night. There will be more traffic (where will everyone park?), noise and people from all over the county coming to play volleyball at a facility that is not designed to handle it.  Volleyball until 10 pm means people in the park until even later. A few years ago when the police were less vigilant about closing the gates at night, people came and stayed in the park until the wee hours, having a party and playing loud music. Use the money instead to repair the bathrooms, walking/riding path, footbridge and vitacourse equipment. Keep the park a daytime venue. And it would be nice if park officials would notify neighbors of a proposed change in use and provide an opportunity for input before ordering the lights to be put up (as occurred here)."

"People who opposed the lights being installed are selfish ridiculous people who have no sense of community! Why would you opposed making a PUBLIC park safer and more accessible for everyone to use?! Because you don’t want more people to have access to it at night? Get off your high horse and just be a decent human being! Find something nice to do with your time!"

There is a meeting planned for some time in September regarding the issue. No date is set yet but it will be a planning meeting to talk about the volleyball lights and other park issues.