The City of Santa Ana has engaged in discussions whereby operations of public parks, athletic fields and facilities would come under management on a ‘for-profit’ basis. This would increase fees charged to city residents, landowners, and entities whereby families could not afford to enroll their children in sports activities, or greatly reduce enrollment.
• Santa Ana residents have a choice affecting all residents, chiefly our families and children. This, in addition to our other entities which serve those who patronize our public parks, athletic fields and facilities such as sporting goods retailers, sporting goods equipment and clothing manufacturers, sports service providers, etc.
• Santa Ana residents have a long-term choice for our families and children;
Sports and Games Inside Our Parks, or Streets and Gangs Outside Our Parks.
From protecting families and children, to protecting sporting goods retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and service providers, City residents have “Compelling Interests” to take corrective action, and establish guardrails.
While Santa Ana can benefit with public-private partnerships for sports complexes or sports parks, our public parks, athletic fields and facilities are a refuge and must be kept non-profit with maximum affordability and equitable access for our residents, landowners, and entities.
‘For-profit’ public parks will reduce use by residents, chiefly families and children, resulting in a dramatic reduction in purchasing of sports related equipment and services, thus harming our city’s sporting goods retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers of equipment, garments, etc., in addition to services related to sports.
Keep Santa Ana’s families, children, and businesses strong. Parks For Public, Not Profit.
“Compelling Interests” must prevail.
