Work together for a safer Rock Island

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By John Phillips | Friday, May 9, 2008 2:05 AM CDT | () comments

In view of the decision recently by the Rock Island Little League to suspend play at Douglas Park Ball Field in Rock Island, our community must come together to respond in a way that is good for the future of our children.

Parents of the Little League participants and coaches have expressed concerns about safety. It should be noted there has not been an increase in criminal activity in the Douglas Park neighborhood. Still, one shot fired is too many.

The Rock Island community must weigh carefully a decision about the future of the Douglas Park Ball Field, an important area recreational facility for nearly 150 years. Thousands of young people have benefited from this facility and many volunteers have given their time to build young lives. The Rock Island Park Board has been working with the community to plan a major investment in Douglas Park. It is envisioned that this facility will be reconfigured to add ballfields and upgrade parking, restrooms and concession facilities. In fact, an application for a state grant has already been made and a firm has been hired to begin the design. It would be very difficult to find a conveniently located alternative to this facility even if the park board and city had the resources to build it.

As the community considers the recreation needs in Rock Island, it is important not to forget the families who live in the Douglas Park neighborhood. Recreational facilities in all parts of Rock Island are important so that activities are accessible to all.

Positive youth activities have been proven to be one of the most effective long range strategies to reduce crime. It is not likely that the Rock Island Park Board will decide to reduce recreation opportunities for young people in the Douglas Park neighborhood. The Douglas Park facility will not be abandoned.

The recent incidents of crime in several of the communities of the Quad-Cities are of serious concern. In Rock Island, neighborhood associations, block clubs and the Community Caring Conference have a tradition of working with the Rock Island Police Department to identify strategies to reduce crime. A recent statistically valid community survey recorded that only 3 percent of Rock Island residents surveyed said they felt unsafe in their neighborhood. This is the high standard that our community should continue to work to maintain.

The following actions are planned to respond to the Little League decision:

1. The Rock Island Park Board will work with the Little League, Girls Softball Association and others to find places to play. If coaches and parents are unwilling to consider playing at Douglas Park this season, even with enhanced security measures, the availability of ball fields will be limited.

2. Community Caring Conference will organize meetings with the neighborhood, Rock Island Police Department and the Rock Island Parks Department to identify strategies to increase neighborhood involvement in crime prevention in order to make the neighborhood safe for residents and visitors.

3. The Rock Island Park Board will work with Community Caring Conference, NAACP, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and neighborhood leaders to determine how to increase neighborhood youth participation in baseball and other recreational activities.

4. The Rock Island Park Board will review the Douglas Park plans to determine if the preliminary ideas that have been developed remain the best option or if other changes should be made to best suit the needs of the neighborhood and community.

There is a rich tradition of baseball at Douglas Park Ball Field, but similarly, it is Rock Island’s tradition to solve community problems through open dialogue, community involvement and focused actions. We look forward to pursuing this proactive approach in the months ahead.

John Phillips is Rock Island city manager. He wrote this column on behalf of City of Rock Island, Rock Island Park Board, Community Caring Conference and NAACP. Contact him at phillips.john@rigov.org.