Letters : Delay in Remodeling Park

Iam writing to call attention to the situation concerning the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park.

In July, 1985, a group of concerned parents contacted the office of Joel Wachs, who until recently was our councilman, to complain about the deterioration of the play equipment at that park. Our complaints were spurred because the Studio City Park had only recently been remodeled, with brand-new play equipment. We felt, and still feel, that the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park is in greater need of repair that the Studio City Park.

What is particularly annoying is the fact that the “new” equipment at the Studio City Park, which was installed in spring of 1985, has been removed save for one slide and a few swings, and we have been told it will be replaced in 90 days. We cannot understand why such new equipment is being replaced when we are still waiting for work to be done at the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park. By the way, the Studio City Park was also in the jurisdiction of Councilman Wachs but is now in the area of Councilman Woo.

I was informed that the park department had money to remodel the park after many letters and phone calls by myself and others to Councilman Wachs’ office during the summer of 1985. The new equipment was to be ordered between October and December, with work to commence in the spring of 1986.

We were told that plans would be ready by the end of the year. We were also told that Griffith Park had “top priority” before work could commence on the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park. We were informed that replacement swings were on order, whilst plans for new equipment went ahead. These replacement swings were installed in January.

Nothing happened over the next few months. I did see planners at the park with blueprints in hand. We were always told that repairs at Griffith Park had “top priority” and that the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park would be “next.”

After the replacement swings were installed, a new merry-go-round and play sand were put in. The play area certainly looks better than it did in the summer of 1985, but that is beside the point. We were continually promised that plans were being drawn up and that it was only a matter of time before the park would be remodeled. It is now September, 1986, and we have a new councilman, but we do not have a new park.

ROBIN ADELSON LITTLE

Sherman Oaks