Ron Merson said that his table concentrated on operations and management. “We drove to three or four big ideas,” including supervision at parks and more facilities. “Those we have now are way over-used,” Merson noted. There is a concern over non-local park users, he added, as “People use our fields because we don’t charge fees.”When it came to ranking needs, Anna Arroyo said that her table opted for a multi-purpose field with “everything...covered picnic areas, we want to see everything there, even a duck pond,” and a “natural park with seating, something seniors might enjoy more.”Funding is vital said Merson, “how to get it and how can the people in the community” help acquire it. Facilities and funding must be balanced, and there must be a “sequence of acquiring those facilities,” he added.Pickel said that information gathered at the meeting would be compared to the Citywide Visioning Plan and then rolled into the update of the Park Master Plan, to be presented to the city in coming months.City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz noted that, although state and local funding is tight, the “purpose of the plan is when that money does come along,” prioritized plans will be in place for expenditures.
Santa Paulans address future parks and recreation needs
July 06, 2005
Santa Paula News
Santa Paulans addressed the future of parks and recreation at a special workshop held June 22 at the Community Center, where teams discussed their vision to update the master plan.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paulans addressed the future of parks and recreation at a special workshop held June 22 at the Community Center, where teams discussed their vision to update the master plan. The workshop was conducted by consultant Purkiss-Rose - which oversaw the creation of the city’s skatepark - and included members of the Recreation Commission and area adult and youth sport leaders.Participants were asked to identify and prioritize issues, including sites and facilities and financing and maintenance, among others. Jim Pickel of Purkiss-Rose had participants split up into tables assigned to tackle various aspects of park and recreation needs, and to rank same.Paved reserved park areas, pocket parks with seating areas, trails, additional soccer and tennis areas, lighted basketball courts, community swimming pool, kitchens and snack bars, art/sculpture gardens, dog parks and other ideas were offered. One workshop group said that a sports complex is a dream that would include sports facilities inside and out.Improvements to existing parks should also be considered, it was also suggested, including drinking fountains and rest room renovations. Recreational development along the Santa Clara River, development of the river area, a duck pond and even an aquarium to attract tourists were discussed, as was an amphitheater at Ebell Park, described as a “natural” at the location.Boxing, festivals, running programs and a gym were also suggested, but Tommy Frutos said his group had addressed a youth career center with a job development component. A senior center, adequate lighting and a sound system for Main Street, and an expanded Santa Paula Boys & Girls Clubhouse were also among the ideas offered. “...Keep the Fourth of July celebration definitely,” noted Frutos.
