YORBA LINDA : Park, Playing Fields Approved by Council

A proposed 14.5-acre park for the city’s east side was approved this week by the City Council.

Tentatively called Eastside Community Park, the $5.2-million facility will be a primary home to youth athletic organizations, city officials predict.

Proposed for the park are three lighted baseball/softball fields that can be converted to two soccer fields, two lighted tennis courts and two lighted basketball courts.

The facilities will be used by the city’s youth population, which has grown significantly, particularly on the east side.

“The city’s founding fathers did not anticipate the number of youths living in the city and never planned enough parks to support the (current number of) children,” Schwing said.

At the last two council meetings, a number of residents have urged the city to build the park as quickly as possible because a shortage of fields sometimes forces local children to play games in other cities.

Some residents who live near the future park expressed concern that the park will bring gang violence and graffiti. “We moved here from Anaheim because of gangs and violence there,” said one resident, adding that the park would attract “all kinds of people into our neighborhood.”

But officials from several youth sports groups say the city will experience more trouble from youths if the park is not built.

“Organized sports help kids learn to take a sense of pride in the community and help prevent them from getting involved in gangs and drugs,” said Brian Woolridge. Trouble happens “when kids aren’t playing baseball, soccer and softball.”