The third in our series of park improvement workshops took place Saturday from 10 am to 11 am at City Hall. Half a dozen people showed up, most of them from Ranch Serrano Park. Also in attendance were Parks Commissioners Jim Rosenberg and Loretta Herrin, both of whom also attended the first workshop.
There was a hearty discussion of issues, following which residents highlighted the issues that were of importance to them. Much of the conversation centered on the idea that the residents were happy with these parks and only wanted minor changes. Here’s the list of the main items that received the most requests from residents
Peachwood
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- more shade
- more play equipment
- a public restroom
Rancho Serrano
- more shade
- remove/replace BBQ
- consider tot lot if HOA doesn't build one
- don't add bathroom or parking
Going forward residents said that "neighborhood parks" should be designed for the neighborhood and not serve area interests. Hence, no extra parking and no bathrooms that could draw outsiders and possibly attract vagrants and/or drug users. They also agreed that park additions should take into account the amenities now available at HOA facilities or nearby City parks.
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If you want to tour these two parks along with members of the Parks Commission on Feb 17, they will be at Peachwood at 3 pm and Rancho Serrano at 4 pm.
The next workshop will take place on Sat Fed 25 at 10 am at Regency Park and will cover Regency and Borrego. In the event of rain it will be moved to City Hall. The final workshop will be March 4 at the Sports Park concerned with Whispering Hills.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.
Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be February 25 at the Lake 1 Clubhouse from 2 to 4 pm.
