Commissioner Cornell,
I am writing in regards that the Alachua County Commission is considering pulling the consent of the Architecture and Engineering plan to add another cement pad for 3 more Pickleball courts at the Jonesville Rotary Park.  

I am a senior citizen and retired nurse who has been playing there for the past 5 years and waiting  for this improvement.  Two years ago the Wild Spaces planning group came to the park to do a needs study and recognized that pickleball is a growing sport for this park and that more courts were needed to accommodate the numbers of persons utilizing the 3 courts we had.  We waited.  We were then told about the environmental impact studies that had to be performed.  We waited.

Pickleball is a unique sport.  While it is exceptionally good for senior’s physical fitness, it’s social benefits should not be overlooked.  We have a 70’s year old grandfather with Parkinson’s  who plays with his 9 year old Autistic grandson.  His family has thanked us for the noted improvement in their son’s socialization.  We have a women’s with disability group.  I stand in awe to see how their movement is improving and the smiles it puts on their faces.  One member has lost over 50 pounds which he attributes to getting out each day to play.  It is a sport that allows men & women an equal chance for a competitive game.   I could go on & on.

We play early in the morning when the park is generally not being otherwise utilized so parking is an nonissue.  There are often 20-30 people playing for courts which will only accommodate 12 people.  We have waited for your studies to be completed.  They are done.  We now await your decision to move forward with the courts.   Please do not disappoint us.  

Respectfully yours,
Elizabeth DiCarlo

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