Roberto Clemente State Park located in Bronx, NY provides an outlet for people of all ages to participate in organized sports after normal business hours. In addition to providing a space for good clean fun and development, it also keeps them off the streets and involved in positive activities. There are also many after school programs offered at Roberto Clemente State Park, to steer youth away from negative influences such as drugs and crime.

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to keep the park open late as it has been for many years. Closing this park at sun down means the closure of the recreational center, ball field, and playgrounds. This will have a profound negative impact on 3,000 young people, their parents, and the adults who play there. This will also most certainly have a widespread negative impact on the community as a whole. If the positive resources provided by Roberto Clemente State Park are taken away, it will likely lead to increased crime in the area, and force our children back on to the streets.