Los Osos park makes good sense 

Let’s get the facts straight regarding the current Los Osos Community Park improvements (“Get off it, Pandora,� Letters, Feb. 3-10).

While long a strong supporter of parks and recreation, Pandora Nash-Karner’s
role in the project was being one of five County Park Commissioners who voted unanimously to support the redevelopment plan in 2000. By the way, LOCAC also unanimously supported the final design in 2003.

The back of the park is still off limits since it’s Morro shoulderband snail habitat. And it will make sense to locate the additional community-requested tennis courts there, next to the existing courts, when their time comes.

Good park planning by our experienced design consultant, coupled with lots of community input, drove placement of the skate park near LOVR. The nearby street will mask some of the noise of kids playing (a dreadful commotion to some) and is easily visible to passing park rangers and sheriff’s deputies. All part of keeping the park safe for our users.

This project has been in the county’s budget since 1999, funded by grants and development fees that have no relationship with County Parks’ struggling maintenance budget. But staff, the Parks Commission, and the majority of the community have supported this important project to provide more places to recreate in Los Osos.

Active recreation is critical to countering the sedentary lifestyle that is literally killing an increasing number of people every day. By summer, our kids will have those additional places to play, socialize, and exercise. That’s an important part of why we have parks.

Pete Jenny

County Parks manager