Sports and Recreation

Dear Ms. Lina Velasco, 

It is not often we get a chance to do something great that will have lasting impact on our health and wellbeing, and make a difference in our community.   We have the opportunity to make such a difference with the development of Pt. Molate.

I am a 31-year resident of Richmond, who stayed when it was the poster city for violence. Richmond is now experiencing a turn around, giving hope to young families as the last affordable place in the greater Bay Area. I want to see us close the loop and become the poster city for showing how to create and provide the highest quality of life for our residents. We need our leadership to step up now more than ever.  

I am asking the City to hear me. I am asking the City to hear the 1200+ soccer players and hundreds of baseball, and cricket players.  Yes, cricket. We have a vibrant group of taxpayers in our city who play cricket as well as baseball and soccer, and who would make good use of a quality cricket facility.   

Development without providing for the needs of our youth, without attracting them into our plans, will leave our young people feeling cheated. We need youth development, we need to invest in our younger generation, to let them know we care, and that we are thinking of them and their needs. 

Development without considering our youth will leave them feeling cheated instead of engaged. They will become cynical, believing there is no point in trying to participate. We must invest in our younger generation to let them know we care, and to teach them to become adults who will in turn care for others and be active in their community.

For all of these reasons, I am asking you to:

• Support option “D,” the community plan which protects the watershed as a regional park with a beautiful recreational area and sports fields for our residents.
• Meet with our community leaders who have years of experience supporting youth programs in our city. This is the only way to truly understand the need for quality sports fields and a recreational complex at Pt. Molate.
• Engage youth organizations and those in our community who serve Richmond youth to understand the economic impact we can have on our families by providing jobs and training. This includes opportunities and training to become coaches and referees and other team officials.
• Investigate local, regional and national organizations that support youth development, health and welfare.  There are many organizations, professional and national, that offer assistance to clubs and non-profits serving youth. Richmond youth organizations are good candidates when the city shows willingness to get behind us, and support the future of Richmond youth.

Richmond is one of the youngest cities in the area, and we have an opportunity to support our up-and-coming population by creating a gem of a park with a sports complex in our wonderful seaside city. As with all gems, it will take time to be appreciated, but you can be sure that our actions now will be deeply appreciated and applauded in the future.

I hope you will support my ideas. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or would like to have a discussion.

Best regards,

Toney Wright 

Richmond Resident 30+ years.