SYLMAR : Students Start Petition Drive for Two Parks
Students launched a petition drive Thursday to keep two popular Sylmar parks open, with many saying they are determined not give up without a political fight.
The parks, El Cariso and Veterans Memorial, are threatened by tight budgets.
“Where do they expect kids to go?” Adriana Ortega, a 15-year-old ninth-grader, asked as students gathered in a central courtyard at Olive Vista Junior High School. “They’re all going to be out in the streets causing trouble.”
Star Roman, 13, agreed, listing activities that draw youngsters to the parks during their free time: baseball, tennis, picnics, family reunions and football.
“They can’t close these parks. We even hold our school picnics there,” said Star, an eighth-grader.
The students are the latest Sylmar residents protesting the possible closure of El Cariso and Veterans Memorial parks, which are among 72 slated for closure if the state shifts millions of dollars in tax revenues to schools this summer. County park officials say the shortfall will force them to slash an already bare-bones budget by 25%, leaving them no choice but to close or abandon parks and pools.
Student leaders, who gathered about 250 signatures Thursday, plan to visit each classroom to collect signatures from all 1,680 students before mailing the petitions to elected officials.
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