LA HABRA : City Buys Playgrounds of Former School for Park
The city has bought the playgrounds of a former school to convert into its 22nd park.
City Council members voted 3 to 1 last week to spend $3 million on the 5.2-acre property, owned by the Lowell Joint School District.
It is a flat parcel where playing fields can easily be created, said City Manager Lee Risner. Other city parks are too hilly for baseball diamonds or soccer and other sports’ fields.
The park “will allow us to expand our services that we simply did not have space for before for youth athletics and activities,” Risner said.
Councilman Juan M. Garcia, who cast the lone dissenting vote against purchasing the land, said the council should postpone a decision until considering how the money could best be spent--whether on the park or something else.
Councilmen Steven C. Anderson, David M. Cheverton and James Flora, however, agreed a park will benefit the community and be worth the cost. William D. Mahoney was absent.
Flora recommended that the park be named after Michael Osornio, the police officer who was killed last month when a drunk-driving suspect crashed into his cruiser.
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