Atherton new Little League facilities due to open in April

Hooray! This is wonderful news. I am deeply appreciative of this donation, which improves the quality of our Town without using taxpayer funds. We are so very fortunate!

The article glosses over the main issue raised by a number of residents. While the article does mention the concerns that many residents have with ensuring that “the finishes on the grandstand fit in with those of the other structures”, the more important point is the negative impact of this large structure on the traditional rural nature of the Park. The stadium should now be ‘camouflaged’ as much as possible.

The last paragraph referencing an “ad hoc” meeting by Ms. Lewis, Mr. Wiest, and presumably Mr. Rodericks raises the issue of a possible Brown Act violation. The sub-committee should have reviewed their findings and discussed them in a public meeting; they did not. Just having “a cupola, weather vane, and a widow’s walk” is a rather simplistic way to meet the historical heritage requirement. Yes, the stadium will look like something out of 1890’s, but will stick out like ‘a sore thumb’. Some sense of the appropriate size must be attempted, and that is best done now with colors, which camouflage the structure.

Surely the members of the Town Council are aware of the continuing controversy over the Council’s 3-2 approval two years ago to accept the MPALL plans and construction of the ‘bleachers/stadium’ in Holbrook Palmer Park. There is a ‘silent majority’, who found the Council’s action, ignoring the Town Planning Commission without sharing in public what contravening evidence the three individuals relied on in making their decision, inconsistent with the Council’s regularly expressed desire to seek broad outreach.

However, continuing to worry over all this won’t rectify the situation; the Stadium drastically impacts the historical natural setting of the Park that a large majority of our residents love and take pride in. Now is the time for either the Council’s personal oversight or delegation to the Parks and Recreation Committee to oversee/direct the finishing touches. Great care should now be taken with regard to the paint and varnish used to finish the project. The roofing materials and color of the roof should also be carefully chosen. This should not be left to the Little League’s discretion. The goal should be to camouflage the structure so that it blends in to the natural environment of Holbrook Palmer Park. The Little League now has what it has been working for over 10 years to obtain, the largest stadium in Southern San Mateo County; now it should be willing to accept ‘camouflaging’ of the structure. Now is the time to lessen the possibility, that when completed, residents will conclude that the three Councilpersons erred when they pushed the project ahead. The Council can still help to make the Stadium less obtrusive and that should be done.

I was a bit skeptical of the ballpark project, but having seen it in construction, it seems pretty harmless... I don't quite follow how these viewing stands will be ruining the "rural nature" of the park while the larger and uglier tennis courts behind them do not.

It honestly seems like it could be a nice addition to the park.

They don't look like something for kids. Is bigger always better?