Cutting Back at Fisher Park

It is frustrating, yet amusing, to observe how quickly the Los Angeles Times can make controversial “news” from the honest efforts of concerned neighbors who are seeking creative ideas for an improved public space.

Respecting the June 4 article (“Calls for a Passive Park Start an Active Debate”) and June 5 editorial (“ ‘Public’ Parks Should Be That) concerning Jack Fisher Park in Santa Ana, it should be noted that the Fisher Park Neighborhood Assn. has never proposed “to simply close the park to all but neighborhood residents,” nor has the city of Santa Ana “refused to sell the park to the neighborhood association for its exclusive use,” because no such request has ever been made.

The articles suggest that all city officials oppose the proposals of the association. It is true that there are some who have predetermined an opposing position, despite the fact that nothing has yet been presented for them to oppose. Generally, the mayor, city manager and City Council of Santa Ana are supportive of the efforts of the city’s many neighborhood associations, as each seeks to address the concerns specific to their neighborhoods. To that extent the FPNA has been encouraged to develop proposals for consideration by the city.

An inordinate amount of criticism in the referenced articles is focused on the need to keep the park a public facility. The Fisher Park Neighborhood Assn. fully agrees and has never proposed anything other than a public park. A public park, however, does not need to continue the high-intensity usage that has become an irritation for the park’s neighbors.

The Fisher Park Neighborhood Assn. is reviewing ideas that would enhance Fisher Park as a public open space, while mitigating the problems affecting the neighborhood. The terms passive park and botanical preserve used in your articles have been used in our discussions as working concepts or phrases to describe the qualities of a less intensive usage but do not reflect specific proposals.

Diverse views and opinions are anticipated, and constructive input from the neighborhood has been embraced as we seek to make a good park outstanding. It is unfortunate that The Times is opposing our sincere efforts before any proposal has been presented for review.

ROBERT C. LASCELLES, 1990 Chairman, Fisher Park Neighborhood Assn., Santa Ana