Fairview Park Committee Makes "Progress"

QUICK MEETING
In a meeting that ran slightly less than the planned two hours, tonight the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee - guided by Chairman Dr. Richard Mehren and Vice Chair Steve Smith -  made "progress" of sorts as it slogged slowly through the agenda.  You can read the agenda HERE.  Only Anna Vrska was absent from this meeting.

RESTORATIVE NURSERY

There were two presentations tonight.  Resident Cindy Black presented a brief PowerPoint show on the value of considering a plant nursery on the grounds of the park - probably the Northeast Quadrant.  Members of the committee seemed receptive to further consider this concept and Dennis Popp suggested it be agendized for the next meeting for further consideration.

IMPROVEMENTS A "GO"
Connie "Destiny" Colocho an archaeologist with Scientific Resource Surveys, Inc. (SRS) gave a presentation on the work done by her firm at the location earmarked for "improvement" near the end of Pacific Avenue.  Drilling and careful digging - overseen by representatives of Native American groups -  resulted in a report indicating that it's OK to proceed with the planned Tot Lot, car turnaround and storm drain improvement.

NONE OF THE ITEMS MOVED FORWARD

The eight remaining items to be considered for the Northeast Quadrant were discussed by the committee and, as was the case with the first eight, NONE were selected for consideration in that quadrant.  You can read those items in the staff report, HERE.  Only one item, Lawn Bowling/Bocce Ball, even received a motion, (by Ron Amburgey) but died for lack of a second.  The rest couldn't even generate a motion.

SOUTHEAST QUADRANT IS NEXT
That took us to the initial consideration for items from the Master List - 35 items created nearly a year ago when this committee was first formed - that MIGHT be possible for the Southeast Quadrant.  The staff had already noted items that seemed inappropriate for that quadrant, so the committee reviewed their selections, then added more to the list to be deleted for consideration.  What is left is slightly less than half of the items on the Master List.  Those will receive staff investigation and formal discussion will begin at the next meeting - on August 6th.  History shows us that it will take more than one meeting to plow through those items, particularly since this quadrant is the one most "field advocates" have been waiting for.  Here's the list of what will be considered, using the numbers from the Master List:
2 - Dry land wildlife viewing area NE and SE Quadrants
3 - Baseball/Softball Facilities SE or SW Quadrant
4 - Recreate Heritage Native American Village SE Quadrant
7 - Vernal Pools preservation with cables, signage and delineation
9 - Soccer/Football Fields
11 - Multi-use athletic fields SE/NE Quadrants
12 - Retain the elements of the Master Plan as it reads now
13 - Install a two-tier building that includes an interpretive center and terrace/viewing deck
17 - Basketball/Handball courts
18 - OCME track expansions/improvements SE Quadrant
21- Trail exercise stations
22 - Improve Placentia Ave. with cable and post delineation
23 - Roller hockey surface
25 - Improve/designate bike paths
28 - Concrete Path from NW traffic signal to SE traffic signal at Estancis HS
29 - Dog Park
33 - Nature Center - Bird watching platforms

AMBURGEY WANT TO HELP THE "MEXICANS"
It was clear from comments made by Amburgey that he's coming loaded for bear at the next couple meetings.  He told us that he wants to see this segment looking like TeWinkle Park, with ball fields, dog park, etc., and that the "Mexicans" that live near the area would appreciate it.  Yes, he DID say that.  You will recall that he made a similar boneheaded remark about "Indians" when an Archery venue was first discussed.

TYPICAL TURNOUT
The turnout for this meeting was about what it has been - around 30 people attended.  Most of the folks who spoke favored keeping the park a natural venue.   Amburgey made a backhanded comment about it, criticizing the folks who show up to speak.   I saw several field advocates in the audience, but they chose not to speak this time around.

PLEASE ATTEND AND OFFER YOUR VIEWS
I encourage those of you with ANY interest in the future of Fairview Park to plan to attend the next couple meetings and share your views during public comments.  The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Victoria Room of the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue. (Lions Park). 

PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION WORKSHOP
Ernesto Munoz, Director of Public Works, reminded us of the upcoming General Plan Workshop, also at the Neighborhood Community Center, on July 16th beginning at 6:00.  There will be an open house for the first hour, then a "Facilitated Discussion" for the second. The topics will be Parks, Open Space and Conservation.  See you there.