Stop the City of Cape Coral from destroying Jaycee Park

For me, and for a large number of Cape Coral residents, it will have a terrible impact on our lives. It will affect our security and our privacy, and will negatively impact the quality of life for which we chose Cape Coral.

For me, personally, I will have food trucks fifty feet from my windows, belching smoke and smells and running generators all day and into the night. I doubt anyone on this council would choose such an environment.

Very simply, the city’s plans will be an absolute disaster for me.

And for many others.

Which is why a number of concerned citizens and neighbors have put together a fairly complete list of topics or issues that should or could cause the city to reverse its plan to destroy a neighborhood park in order to create a destination for boaters. A petition is circulating that already has thousands of names.

That is a strong beginning for citizens to stand up to protect the quality of life being threatened by the city.

But I would like to raise a few additional issues.

I want to know if the city has completed an environmental impact statement identifying the extensive negative impacts their plan will have on the environment.

Some of the damages or problems have been pointed out by others, including damage to the river, the Manatee population, and so on.

Other damages that may be included in an environmental impact statement include noise pollution, light pollution, air pollution, whatever is used to define odor pollution, parking problems, increased crime, reduced property values, and a negative impact on privacy for those who own or rent in the area.

The historical importance of the park is another possible issue that may leave the city open to legal challenges.