HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-23 Public Comment - G. DiMaggio - Parks Division's 2024 Cash-in-lieu of Parkland budget proposalFrom:gina dimaggio
To:Agenda
Subject:Parks Division"s 2024 Cash-in-lieu of Parkland budget proposal
Date:Tuesday, June 27, 2023 10:49:05 AM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
Please strongly consider approving the Parks Division's 2024 Cash-in-lieu of Parkland budget proposal which
includes the funding for Bozeman Pond Park's new volleyball courts.
I am a mother of two, an adult athlete, and a lover of beach volleyball. I played indoor volleyball in college and
found outdoor volleyball when I moved to Bozeman in 2008. The sand courts used to be a haven for my friends and
I. We’d get there every morning and bring our kiddos and play for hours or at least till nap time. Our kids had so
much fun together in the sand and we believed it was great for them to see their moms enjoying the sport and being
physically active. We played with dreams that our kiddos would grow to love the game and eventually play along
side us. But the courts became overrun and not a safe place for our kids. Intoxicated adults and what looked to be
minors surrounded the courts and we had to fight for court space every time we came out. Vulgarity became our
regular environment. We were harassed for court space and even received sexually explicit comments about our
bodies. It became exhausting to try and play. Luckily our sweet friend built a court at her house so we have been
able to play regularly with our kiddos but feel our community needs to step up and help out.
Please invest in this sport. Beach volleyball is growing fast. People love it. Kids love it. Montana is so far behind
and we want our kids to have a safe place to play and practice so they can compete. Our community needs these
courts. Our youth need these courts.
Thank you.
Gina DiMaggio
Color of Ashes
406.823.9637
www.colorofashes.com
@colorofashes