Thanks for Improvements at Park

Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky deserves a vote of thanks from users of the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park. Due to his support, work recently commenced to renovate the children’s play area. It has taken over two years with a concerted effort on the part of my neighbors and friends to get to this point.

Over two years, every swing in the entire park was broken. The merry-go-round had been removed. The sand was dirty and littered with broken glass. When I called the Department of Recreation and Parks to ask who was responsible for improving conditions at the park, I was told it was a “political” issue. At the time, the park was in the district of Joel Wachs. Over the next year and a half, we discovered that money was available for renovation of the park, but that Councilman Wachs had little interest in lending support to our cause. It also became apparent that without support from the local council member, Recreation and Parks would not undertake plans for renovation.

Recently, through redistricting, the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park came under the jurisdiction of Councilman Yaroslavsky. Our concerns were immediately given the necessary attention and support. Within weeks, meetings were held, timetables drawn up, and finally work has commenced. From all of us who signed petitions, made phone calls and wrote letters, we would like to thank Councilman Yaroslavsky for his support in completing this project.

LINDA C. KAGEL

Sherman Oaks