Regina Lackey avoids driving by Woodward Park whenever there is a large soccer tournament or other big event.

The congestion around Manteca’s 50-acre community park can add a lot of time going to and from her nearby home if she opts to go past the park to reach Woodward Avenue.

Lackey, who represents District 1 that includes Woodward Park as a Manteca City Council member, also knows about the parking issues.

“I’ve talked to people who live close to the park,” Lackey said.

What they say — and she has seen — include people:

*Blocking driveways when they park.

*Parking partially on sidewalks making it difficult for those with mobility issues to get around vehicles.

*Parking either closer than legally allowed or completely blocking fire hydrants.

*Violating the law that went into effect Jan. 1 that makes it illegal to park within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalks regardless of whether there is a red curb or posted signs.

*People stopping in the middle of the streets for extended periods of time to unload vehicles while backing up traffic.

*People actually parking in driveways.

Lackey has asked city staff to address if there are any physical improvements that might improve the situation.

Although nothing specifically was discussed as a possible solution, Lackey pointed out when the three-day Memorial Day Weekend Commemoration took place, organizers worked with the city and added temporary diagonal parking on the westside of Bridewell Street and provided volunteer manpower to make it work.

Manteca Police Captain Paul Carmona indicated if the parks and recreation division alerts the department to upcoming Woodward Park events that officers could be instructed — if they are not tied up on other calls — to look for violators around the park.

Lackey would like to see that enforcement go a step further.

Back about a decade ago when parking issues were rampant, the city brought on an additional officer on the day of a major soccer tournament. The officer ended up issuing dozens of citations and even had vehicles towed that were blocking driveways.

Organizers of tournaments also worked to get the word out distributing flyers to participants advising them to comply to parking laws and not litter the neighborhoods.

More recently, the police department when they were trying to get a handle on illegally parked semi-trucks, shifted the work week of a community service officer once in a while to cover one of the weekend days to issue parking citations..

City Manager Toni Lundgren on Friday said a meeting has been planned with various departments including public safety and parks to review Woodward Park related issues.

Lundgren noted that the city has staff at various events. And in the case where large crowds are planned such as a concert/festival that took place in May, organizers have been required to pay for police officers to be present who are called back in to work overtime.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com