Hello and welcome,
It was also rejected for other rejection criteria, not just obstructing emergency vehicles. I think in this case, reviewers don’t see the area as being distinct, as it’s mainly a seating area at a park, which are quite common.
Niantic has only said that rejecting a nomination with a downvote on one of the first four questions is how to ensure we as reviewers are rejecting the nomination. Because of this, it has led some reviewers to reject using reasons that don’t make sense. I do believe that a reviewer wanted to make sure they rejected this nomination, and they felt a downvote on Appropriate and choosing any reason there was the best way to go, instead of a downvote on Permanent/Distinct.
I also took a look at this park, and see there are quite a few rest areas that have Wayspots already, some with similar names as this one, noting where in the park it’s located. I’m thinking you may have nominated these other seating areas and may have had to appeal them to get them approved, hence you don’t have any appeals available right now. You can either wait until you have an appeal available again, or resubmit the nomination.