First published in the July 7 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
I believe La Cañada Flintridge is the best community to raise children.
It was my goal to start a family in La Cañada — I have been lucky enough to accomplish this goal. I bring this up because my family is at risk of losing a vital part of our community: Mayors’ Park.
We are fortunate enough to be able to walk to this little gem and enjoy it. My children, 5-year-old Matthew and 1-year-old Juliana, treasure our daily routine of walking to the park to enjoy part of what makes La Cañada so great. We have also recognized neighbors who use the park as well and have been lucky enough to make friends with parents and their children.
This is what I expected in La Cañada, and I was not disappointed until I got word of the potential conversion of part, or all of Mayors’ Park into a center for one sport — that has 35 existing courts within 8 miles. The cost for layout and feasibility studies alone will cost $100,000. My family and neighbors are at risk of losing a treasured shaded green space with grass, plants and more than a dozen well-established trees for an excavated, leveled concrete space. This would also significantly increase traffic and parking congestion on what is already a hazardous intersection.
Clearly, there must be a better use of funds for improving and maintaining our existing parks while not impacting La Cañada’s commitment to its Climate Action Plan.
All of this should give the City Council significant pause when determining the best way to use funds to keep our beautiful community first.
I implore the City Council to avoid what could be a potential money pit, danger to residents & removal of a unique, shaded, private and secure green spaces in our community in favor of single-sport center. Matthew and Juliana join us in this request.
Andy Gorbenko
La Cañada Flintridge
