Against Arts Park in the Basin

It’s hard to imagine how anyone could be in favor of an arts park in one of the Valley’s last open spaces, unless one were to profit personally from the project or be too involved in personal artistic hobbies to see beyond them.

We live in a vast metropolitan area that extends, virtually unbroken, from Santa Clarita to San Diego. The Sepulveda Basin is one of very few undeveloped open spaces left. Its very openness brings spiritual relief to those commuters who never do more than drive by it, and its running trails, bikeways, ballparks and picnic grounds are a vital resource to those who frequent them.

All of Los Angeles County is being developed at a pace that is mind-boggling. The Sepulveda Basin should remain as it is--empty. It is not necessary to do anything with it. Sooner than we all care to admit, its very emptiness will become a treasure.

CASEY PATTERSON

Topanga