More Than 350 Protest Possible Park Closure

ALTADENA —  It was standing room only as more than 350 Altadena residents crowded into the community building at Farnsworth County Park last week to protest the possible closure of the park.

Farnsworth, along with Altadena’s Charles White Park, is among 72 of 99 Los Angeles County parks that may be closed to help make up a projected $1.6-billion budget deficit.

At Tuesday’s highly charged meeting, John Weber, director of the county’s Parks and Recreation North Region, told residents that they should write to county supervisors, state legislators and congressmen to help save the facilities.

Failing that, Weber said, a community group might be able to come up with the money to keep the parks open. In one city affected by the plan, a Kiwanis group has offered to maintain the grounds, he said.

On Tuesday, Altadena area residents of all ages and ethnic groups called Farnsworth Park a place of unity for the community. They criticized county officials for considering closure of any parks and indicated a willingness to help run Farnsworth if necessary.

Weber told the audience that last year’s state budget, which withheld property taxes usually passed on to the counties, was to blame for the huge budget deficit. The proposed closure of parks was a result of parks chiefs having been told to prepare reports geared to 8% and 25% smaller budgets for 1993-94, he said. In the case of a 25% slash, the worst-case scenario, 72 parks would shut.

County supervisors will probably opt for a 16% cut and closure of fewer parks, Weber said.

Town Councilman Frank H. Bridal said the Altadena legislative body should take the lead in sponsoring a community group to keep both parks in the city open.

“Our community is broad-based. The park (Farnsworth) is a common place and a common ground for us to come together,” said Diane Hall, representing the Altadena Little League. She said the park links diverse groups in a community where some children attend private schools and others public schools.

Councilman Steve Lamb blamed county supervisors for the situation and accused them and other county officials of spending money on flashy offices.

Gregory Williams, a resident, said alternatives to park closures can be found.

“It is up to our elected officials,” he said. “Property values countywide would fall if the parks closed.”

Juanita Stanovich, an Altadena resident who has volunteered at area parks for eight years, said their closure could lead youngsters to stray from the baseball field to gang hangouts.