New Haven Independent

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 25, 2009 3:17 PM

This league is one of New Havens charms! I stop and watch the games my family stops and watches the games. Soccor is a growing sport in the USA. And we have an amazing league in this city. We would dumb tons of tax payers money trying to support Hockey teams years ago, why not figure out away to support this. 1000 people every weekend....seems to me that this can be a claim to fame on the sports circuit for New Haven. Meaning supporting this and maybe even making it bigger. Even going national. Their must be some where we can set this up and expand it to a tourism draw for New Haven.

Posted by: Bill | February 25, 2009 3:34 PM

New Haven officials are dumb. Here they have a positive healthy outlet for people and they want to shut it down. I occasionally ride my bike through that park during the summer while games are being played, it's nice to see so many people outside enjoying the day and feel perfectly safe, unlike most parts of New Haven.

Posted by: Jay | February 25, 2009 4:04 PM

Would Yale or Southern allow the use of their fields? They do have adequate parking. But I bet they won't.
The city doesn't have a space suitable for this size group, so they have to use what we do have available and have offered- 3 scattered sites.

Posted by: Even worse | February 25, 2009 4:19 PM

Levine looks even more ridiculous now.

We find out his complaint is that 700 people use the space. 700!!!

This has to be one of the biggest events in New Haven on a weekly basis. And we find out it's people from all over the world and city.

Bob -- You sound like some kind of bureaucratic killjoy.

In the end, the issue appears to only be parking and as we learn now it is definitely not litter.

Your worried about killing some trees and grass? Really? You should have built a bigger parking lot. You were parks director when the lot was built. You killed trees and grass to build the lot that's there now -- right? And before there was a lot (not that long ago) everyone had to park on the grass to even use the fields.

Levine is acting like this is Edgerton Park. The fields make up 65 percent of the space. The parking lot makes up another 15% of the space. Trees make up another 10% of the space and open grass (where he is concerned about people parking) makes up about 10% of the space.

But the whole space is surrounded by a nature preserve and river which is what needs to be maintained. People parking on the small amount of grass not on the fields is a quite small use.

Really -- when does DeStefano step in on this one?

And stop pitting one league against another. That's mean and not the correct role for city government.

Maybe run a shuttle bus from a local school or the Yale bowl. Maybe block off a lane of traffic on the Boulevard on Sundays. It's too fast there anyway.

You should have taken more land for parking but once again the parks department gets caught in old ways of keeping parkland pristine and unused, and as we see in the parks they maintain in this way, rife with opportunities to get mugged because no one else is around.

And stop with the public drinking nonsense. Until you get rid of it in the leagues YOU RUN Bob like the city's softball league.

And it's not like you do some great job maintaining these fields. You would not get away with the crappy maintenance on these fields for softball fields on the east shore.

Posted by: Kevin Ewing | February 25, 2009 4:37 PM

I couldn't make the protest this morning but really wish I had.

The truth is that Mr. Levine's complaints are very accurate. Parking is way out of hand and does destroy the park. At the same time I am always THRILLED to drive by and see all the folks out there. I wish more folks would use the park (and not just the homeless who have sadly set up camps there.) Updating the park was part of the West River Revitalization Zone Plan and many residents worked long and hard to get the funds to do the work. And we aren't done yet.

The league is wrong, in my opinion. One does hold some responsibility for ones guests. They wouldn't be there if the league wasn't there. You know the rules. Ask folks to obey them and if they refuse call the authorities.

I doubt if after time things will be much different with the new league. Folks don't park on the grass at Criscuolo Park because they can't get to it. Instead they double park on Chapel, James and River Streets, cross Chapel ignoring thru traffic and cause other headaches (I hear from folks who live in the area.) There are also several food vendors (don't know if they are legal though I doubt it since many sell out the trunks of their cars) and drinking taking place there too. I got no problem with that. I like to eat and drink in parks too and have stopped at the vendors on occasion for a quick ethnic meal. (except maybe get the Health Dept. to crack down on the vendors and make them get licensed... we could use the income.)

I am saddened that this issue has come to protests and screams of cultural insensitivity. It could probably have been avoided with dialogue and understanding from both parties. I hope that they can stop screaming and start talking or New Haven stands to loose another opportunity to stand out as a cultural center in the region.

If it is not too late I would love to try to help get this resolved so that West River doesn't loose this valuable and welcomed group but at the same time protects the tremendous investment of time and money that many residents in the neighborhood spent on this park. I believe a mutually agreeable solution is possible with just a bit of effort to talk.

Contact me: kevin@westrivernsc.org if you want.

Posted by: Hood Rebel | February 25, 2009 4:52 PM

How is it possible that the Department head, Levine and the Administrator, Smuts can express very different reasons --and with very different attitudes-- why this league will not be granted a permit?

This whole thing is becoming very suspicious!

Posted by: john john | February 25, 2009 4:56 PM

Mayor Johnny should just unleash "Da Boot" towing gestapo on the lot, that'll clear it up real quick.

Posted by: JP | February 25, 2009 5:09 PM

There has to be a better solution. I think some of the city's concerns are valid, especially parking for so many spectators. Why don't they just post no parking zones and ticket/tow the heck out of it, like they do everywhere else in this city? Meanwhile, the league could be working out a better parking situation - carpooling from another lot, maybe asking yale to volunteer the use of their buses for a shuttle. I think some additional community help / support /involvement coupled with strict enforcement of parking laws could preserve this very unique and important tradition.

Posted by: Our Town | February 25, 2009 5:24 PM

What about Bowen Field?

Posted by: jawbone | February 25, 2009 5:27 PM

This issue is a lose-lose situation for all parties involved. Any politician or beaurocrat worth their salt would never allow it to escalate to this.
C'mon DeStefano, Levine, et al. and accomodate these people. Their taxes fund yer shenanigans.
You want to crack down on illegal parking, drinking, and food vendors? Try pulling these moves on the silly St. Patrick's Day Parade. You'd be checking Monster.com for openings in another city's gov., too.

Posted by: itsourpublicspace | February 25, 2009 6:11 PM

Question does Bob Lavine live in New Haven?

I think that as a Department Head he is required to take up resident in town. Does anyone know?

Posted by: robn | February 25, 2009 7:31 PM

hmmm? I smell a manufactured scandal with the mayor coming to the rescue....

...distinctly bad guys..an aggrieved helpless bunch of citizens...a superhero comes to the rescue....I love drama.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 25, 2009 8:39 PM

OMG Robn!! How could I have not seen that! You are so right! With our newest Ecuadorian Consulate; to shut down their league does seem to be a bit off?? With our claim to fame ID cards to shut down one of the biggest Latino sports seems a bit off. WOW I can see it now!! A chance to gain some votes.

Posted by: Alex | February 25, 2009 10:17 PM

Votes speak loud and clear to Mayor DeStefano. MAKE SURE IF THIS STICKS IT COSTS DESTEFANO VOTES - BIG TIME! Elect Dyson, as I'm sure he would be much more sensitive to the situation. Just the way insensitive Bush was booted out by Obama voter's passion, so can DeStefano be dumped over stupidity like this.

I have seen this city waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on stupid studies and hiring "experts" from out of town. Yet we can't settle a low cost situation like this that helps our youth and keeps crime down. One major crime costs the city a whole lot more than solving this! Make sure this costs him votes!!

Posted by: iwasthere | February 25, 2009 10:20 PM

I feel bad for the soccer team. I don't want to point fingers but isn't there a ecuadorian consulate in new haven. The city is turning its head away from the the old tennants. Call city call an request a bidding war to take place for the spot. This needs to be done.
Remember mayor d is up for reelection it time to take another look. We always have another option.

Posted by: Streever | February 26, 2009 11:09 AM

itsourpublicspace,
I belive this law no longer exists.

Mr Levine,
Question. Is there anyway to increase the capacity of the park?

I agree with Kevin. It's a beautiful activity & it's a shame that you are correct, that the parking is destroying the grounds. It's also a shame that 700-1000 people can't enjoy their event. This is a really nice New Haven tradition (20 years!) and it would be wonderful if the City could find a way to say "Yes"--I think even if that "Yes" is a request that the league raise money to help with the parking.

What about something like a special annual fee to help the Parks department maintain the property, and waive the permit fee for Sunday?

Do we have a dollar amount on how much damage is annually done?

Are you willing to sit down with the League officials & come up with a compromise?

I don't think Government should respond to every demand: it makes people think that a demand is a good way to get things done: but we do have a clearly passionate group of people here--organized around a healthy activity--who want to part of the City of New Haven. Let's find a way to work with them.

Posted by: anon | February 26, 2009 11:57 AM

I agree with JP. Allow the league (games are what fields are for!!), but kill the parking situation before it ruins the park.

Players can walk, carpool or take a bus to the site, or park on one of the side streets and walk. As an added benefit, we could reduce the city's asthma rate.

Posted by: nfjanette | February 26, 2009 1:45 PM

I agree with JP. Allow the league (games are what fields are for!!), but kill the parking situation before it ruins the park.

Players can walk, carpool or take a bus to the site, or park on one of the side streets and walk. As an added benefit, we could reduce the city's asthma rate.

That would be a rational compromise - something the protesters/supporters have not given any indication of working towards. They may know how to play football (a.k.a. soccer), but they don't understand that playing brinkmanship has already cost them the fields. They could have split the playing across multiple fields - like every baseball league in the city already does, for example. Instead, they have put their bets on playing the racial/cultural card, and everyone will be the poorer for that decision. The situation is about logistics and cost, not culture wars. This didn't have to play out this way - everyone should be called for a foul.

Posted by: jemoral | February 26, 2009 2:43 PM

I agree with posting no parking signs and towing the cars in violation. How about if they are permitted to park in the commuter parking lots located on Legion Ave? and for a small fee charge for parking and transportation via the commuter buses.

Posted by: jimblunt | February 26, 2009 3:01 PM

You reap what you sow! The government is there to bring order where society and institutions neglect to. It's too bad that New Haven has not been more consistent. maybe our city is reaping what it has sown... economic and racial polarization and prejudice, neglect of some areas and people, preference to others. It seems that crime, poverty and fear are on the rise in our beloved city. Who among us is innocent?

Posted by: lexi | February 26, 2009 6:06 PM

Using the park is the leagues privilege, not their right! If the they can't take care of the park and control their attendees, give the privilege to another league. Way to go Mr. Levine! I find it interesting that so many people complain about the crime in New Haven and the lack of government intervention in New Haven's problems, and then when the government does intervene those are the people who are first to complain about who, what when, where, why, how it was done. For all of those who use this space and others to vent your complaints, stop whining and find a positive and productive way that YOU can make our city better.

Posted by: manny | February 27, 2009 8:40 AM

we as a a league are working on the parking situation, we are looking for parking where we could walk from and we've had some ideas. we also thought of raising money for additional parking but it wouldnt b ready intime for the league. the situation is that they basically already gave the field to the other league. levine slipped about it telling a newspaper who then called us saying it was a miss print. this whole thing has nothing to do with race considering our league is very diverse. we just want our field back. we are trying to work with levine about the field situation and are trying to compromise.

Posted by: Toni | March 2, 2009 12:25 PM

The league is not a "family affair" . There is much drinking and illegal sales of liquor and food. Is the food sanitary? Are the vendors licensed? THe field is a MESS when they finish. Drunkeness is common. That's a fmily affair?
New Haven needs the revenue from any source possible but Bob Levine is right not to let the field and area be trashed weekly by any group. We are not a dumping ground for groups who have no home on any other town field. THe field belongs to New Haven, not to this league.