Residents play volleyball on the proposed court’s site. Photo by Lauren Turner.
A decision on whether Tietze Park will get a sand volleyball court is expected to be announced in coming weeks.
Friends of Tietze Park held a community meeting on Wednesday with Dallas Park and Recreation staff and District 14 Park and Recreation Board member Rudy Karimi to gauge input on the proposed project.
The park department will decide whether the park will get a sand volleyball court, taking into consideration stakeholder feedback. Staff at the meeting included David Smith, an area supervisor for maintenance; Renee Johnson, assistant director for park maintenance; Sloan Anderson, a community program coordinator; and Alexandra Laury, a manager for partnership and strategic alliances.
Park staff did not indicate at the meeting which way they’re leaning, but Karimi said he supports the proposal.
“I have not received overwhelming support against this project,” he said. “It is my intention to move it forward.”
As was the case in the March 9 and June 7 meetings, neighborhood feedback on the court was mixed. However, based on previous survey results, more people are in support of the court’s installation than against.
People skeptical about the project shared concerns regarding safety, hygiene, court upkeep and noise. There were also questions about funding from an anonymous donor who agreed to help the friends group come up with $25,000. The park department will match Friends of Tietze Park’s contribution with funds from the 2017 bond.
Some attendees were not convinced that an anonymous donor is a good way to secure money for the project, but Amanda Schulz, a previous District 14 park board member, said it’s common for anonymous donors to give to friends groups.
Others said that because $5,000 had already been spent on the project, there was nothing they could do to stop the court from being installed. But Karimi clarified that the money went to third-party contractors for preliminary design and sub-surface analysis.
“We have folks spending money on proposals all the time that don’t make it anywhere,” he said.
Even with many neighbors still unsure about the court, supporters were clear.
“It will add value,” neighbor Matt Henry said. “It will bring people together.”
One person in attendance said that the court will be a great amenity for preteens and teenagers who are too old for the playground.
Lisa Marshall, the president of FOTP, encouraged her neighbors toward the conclusion of the meeting.
“Not everyone’s comfortable with change, but this park has been here for 99 years, and it has changed a lot,” Marshall said. “So I think it’s good to look at the future, as well as our own generation. And if we can fill a need for teenagers who like to play volleyball, get out of the house, I think it’s noble.”
