Get the Truth on the Hall Property Community Park

Background: The Hall property site is the last open parcel of undeveloped land large enough to build a full size community park with ample recreation areas to serve the growing youth population of Encinitas. The need for five fully lighted playing fields is exemplified by current youth sports organizations spending over $100,000.00 annually to rent athletic fields from school districts in Encinitas and surrounding communities. Property History

Public input on the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was held in March, 2007. The city Planning Commission is currently reviewing the EIR and is expected to make a decision on the project by early Spring, 2008. Depending on the outcome of that finding, one side or the other will likely make an appeal to the Encinitas City Council.

Opposition: The group consists of about 30 members. They call themselves Friends of the Hall Property Park, but they do not want our kids to have 5-lighted playing fields.

There are many myths and rumors being circulated by opponents of the park project. Below are examples of these false arguments and clarifications on the issues:

Myth #1: Traffic will increase and neighborhoods surrounding the park will encounter speeding, double parking and motorist short cutting down alleys and freeway backups.

In reality: The Traffic Impact Analysis states that with appropriate mitigation there will be no significant impact to the community.

Myth #2: Ambient lighting from the 90-foot high fixtures needed for athletic fields will propose a significant detriment to neighboring homes.

In reality: Lighting technology has advance since this argument was first raised and does not propose the same problems of the past. Because of directional lighting, shields and shades there is very little ambient lighting that will spill over onto neighboring property. The EIR concludes that with proper mitigation measures the lighting throughout the proposed community park will be negligible.

Myth #3: Opponents of the park have feared this site will be used for regional tournaments bringing in sports teams from all over the county.

In reality: Five fields will barely meet the needs the Encinitas area athletic groups and the site is too small for regional tournaments. See Field Comparision.

Myth #4: Opponents have voiced concerns about the proposed community park generating significant noise.

In reality: Studies prove that most of the noise levels at many of the proposed projects sites in the park are below current city noise standards and below the traffic noise. However, after mitigation on some projects within the community park the noise level is less than significant.