About 125 residents who live around the park showed up for a community meeting called by the city and the Kevin Moran Park Task Force on July 28 to talk about the development of the park and the repercussions it would have on the community.

The city purchased the 10.3-acre park in 1970, but because of budgetary constraints, the original master plan was never developed properly.

In 2001, the Kevin Moran Park was made part of the Capital Improvement Project and $400,000 was earmarked for it. At a meeting in May of this year, the city council directed staff to hire a consultant, create a new master plan and serve as a designer for the project. The council also gave directions about the type of improvements it wanted to see—two full-size regular soccer fields, an off-site parking area and a restroom facility.

"This meeting is what you want to see at the park and what you do not want to see at the park," said John Cherbone, the public works director for the city. "This is a process. This project is not a project until the city council votes on it."

Despite Cherbone's reassurances, the residents of the area did not seem to be convinced. "We like it as it is now. We do not want any development in that park" was one frequent comment.

"This park has natural beauty. This is not the park that should be turned into a soccer field," said Umesh Singh, an area resident. "Everybody is opposed to it."

"I enjoyed the apricot crop at the park this year. I am disappointed that the city council is planning to use the park for soccer," said Neil Newman, another resident who lives near the park.

Richard Wang, who has lived near Kevin Moran Park for the last 24 years, felt that any development in the area would greatly increase the chances of an accident. "I am guilty of using Sculley Avenue as a raceway during my high school years. I do not want to see more traffic there," he said.

There were some common concerns from the residents that were heard over and over at the meeting. They voiced their concern about an increase in traffic if the soccer fields are set up. Many spoke about the safety of their children. Some were concerned that a properly developed park with restrooms would attract more and more people from outside.

"I have seen the city council do this more than once. I am afraid someone is going to get hurt in an accident," said Sandy Cross. "Sport is not necessarily the best trade-off if someone gets hurt. I would love to see some tennis courts there or a dog park," said Cross.

She said she would like to see police patrols at the park. "The orchard at the park has really been neglected. The city ought to develop that," she said.

"The task force did not react to the clear message that was delivered at the meeting. They seemed noncommittal about responding to the voice of the neighborhood," said Stan Chapski, another area resident. He said that the city had adopted an aggressive posture by proposing development at the park.

Howard Miller, regional representative for the AYSO, was the lone voice of support for the soccer fields at the meeting.

"Whenever you undertake complicated projects, there will be competing needs in a city," said Miller. "I believe with the right balance and with input from various user groups, we can make this work. We are hopeful that there will be some sort of an agreement that meets the needs of the neighbors but also expands the grass."

"We need to come up with a plan where everyone can co-exist. The Kevin Moran Park is not the best place to play soccer in the city, but it is not the worst place either," he said.

Soccer games in the city are currently played at Congress Springs Park and Blue Hills Elementary School. Practice games are held at Foothill Elementary School, Argonaut Elementary School and Saratoga Elementary School. The Kevin Moran Park is also currently used for soccer practice. Miller said that there were more than 1,000 registered children from Saratoga who were part of the AYSO.

Nick Streit, one of two city council members on the task force, said that he had always pushed for the development of the city parks so that they could be used for recreational activities. "This park needs to be developed," he said. Kathleen King, the other city council member on the task force, said that all opinions would be carefully evaluated. Last year, the city council had received more than 100 emails and letters asking for more flat grass in the city for organized sports.

The next community meeting for the Kevin Moran Park Project will be held at on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Adult Care Center at 19655 Allendale Ave. Five more community meetings will be held through December.