SYLMAR : Residents Plan Effort to Keep 2 Parks Open

Residents dismayed with the possible closure of two parks in Sylmar are considering raising funds and volunteering in order to keep the recreational areas from becoming weed-infested lots.

Many of the nearly 300 residents who turned out for a community meeting at Olive View Medical Center on Thursday also vowed to keep up the pressure on elected officials in coming months by inundating them with letters and petitions to keep Veterans Memorial and El Cariso parks open.

“We have to go to the people who have the money,” said Erla McMurray, a longtime Sylmar activist.

The two parks are among 72 throughout Los Angeles that may be shuttered if a proposed shift of millions of dollars in tax revenues forces the county Parks and Recreation Department to slash its operating budget by 25% for fiscal year 1993-94.

John Weber, the department’s assistant director, said a final decision on proposed park closures will be made in August when the county adopts its budget. Until then, he urged those at the meeting to consider forming community groups to take on maintenance of the parks.

“I’m committed to finding ways to keep the parks open,” he said.

But some of the residents, ranging from Little League baseball players to senior citizens, lashed out at Weber and other county officials for even considering padlocking the two popular parks.

“We as taxpayers pay so much money. To even think about it is a shame,” said one resident, prompting applause from the audience.

Jean Booth, the executive director of the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce, said a number of community leaders will meet with parks officials soon to map out a plan to save the parks if the budget crunch comes to pass.

“One organization can’t do it alone. All of us together can sure make a difference,” said Booth, who gave Weber a stack of petitions containing more than 2,000 signatures opposing the proposed park closures.