Capitola Reacts to Mobile Home Park Closure

At last Thursday's City Council meeting, it was decided that the following major flood damage. The council had the authority to make this decision, as the park is city property.

Days later, residents and city officials have had time to take in the decision and reflect on what the closure means. 

A park resident, Mayor Dennis Norton and Park Manager/Assistant City Manager Lisa Murphy all spoke with Capitola Patch about the park and what will happen from here. 

Mayor Dennis Norton

On the decision to close the park: I, as a council member, have to make decisions based on what is best for the whole community and on community safety. Also, we have to look at what the community can afford within our restrictive budget. This was not an easy decision, but it was clearly the right decision.

On what the future holds for park residents: I can assure you that all full-time park residents will be taken care of. In the next month, the city will come up with a relocation plan.

Park Manager/Assistant City Manager Lisa Murphy

On helping the park residents going forward: Where do we go from here? I’m not sure. For me, in my position as the park manager and trying to be there for them through this impending closure, I don’t know what comes next. I feel a sense of concern and worry, because I’m not sure of the whole process, and I’m sure they’re very frightened.

Anonymous Six-Year Park Resident, Female

On the city's handling of the park residents' living situation: The city has been anxious to get us out of the hotel and get out from under that bill. Once they got us back in, they made this announcement that they want to close the park because it’s unsafe. If it’s unsafe, why did they move us back in here? We’re dealing with politicians here.

On how the park residents are dealing with the predicament: We’re kind of in wait-and-see mode. We’re in limbo right now. The city needs to tell us what they’re going to do and how they’re going to do it. I think people are doing well, though. This is a really resilient group, and they are a lot stronger than many people realized. It’s been really difficult on everyone, though. It’s been a really distressing situation.