$1 Million of Bequest Will Go to Recreation

It’s not exactly what she intended, but relatives of Patricia Murphy said she would be happy with what has finally become of an estate she willed to the city.

After more than a year of discussion, city officials announced that $1 million of the $2-million estate bequeathed to Simi Valley has been earmarked to refurbish a four-acre parcel adjacent to the Rancho Tapo Community Park and to build an indoor swimming pool at the future YMCA, both of which will be named in honor of Murphy.

“This was such a complicated estate and the fact that we’ve gotten this far is very pleasing,” said Russell Takasugi, a local attorney who helped craft the deal.

Murphy, who died in 1992 at the age of 72, willed a 14.3% share in a 60-acre swath of land at the end of Cochran Street to be developed as “Pat’s Park.”

But several problems arose.

First, the city does not develop parks, so a joint powers committee was established of representatives from the city, the park district and the estate to determine how the will would be executed.

Second, the property was in an area zoned for commercial development and unsuited for a public park.

The land’s other shareholders weren’t interested in developing a park, so the land was sold to developer Stanley Rothbart for the soon-to-be-built Wal-Mart shopping plaza.

A court is expected to release the money in late July.

The remaining money has not been earmarked, but a decision is expected by year’s end.

“Everyone feels this falls in line with the spirit of her will,” Takasugi said.