READERS RESPOND

AT ISSUE: A dispute over where the city’s first skate park should be

located -- at an existing park or at a vacant lot atCharle and Hamilton

streets.

To locate a skate park facility at the existing sites of either Lions

Park or TeWinkle Park seems like a wise decision. These are areas already

set aside for family entertainment, all the facilities are in place, and

families will be able to have more than one activity occurring

simultaneously.

Mike Scheafer is absolutely correct in his thinking -- use the existing

areas so all can benefit. To isolate the skate park may unnecessarily

expose the younger people who will use that facility to undesirable

elements of our society. Libby Cowan needs to get some fresh air.

JIM RENAGHAN

Costa Mesa

This is regarding the skateboard park location. I believe Lions Park is

the best location for the skateboard park. At the present time, what is

inappropriate at the park is a baseball field for organized schedule team

activities. The city has encroached further into open space with the new

recreational building. I think the baseball field should go and the

infield should be replaced with a skateboard park.

Lions offers swimming, a library, basketball, gymnastics and a tot lot.

This is so that people with other children in the family who don’t want

to ride skateboards could go along. It is not a one-dimensional facility

like Hamilton and Charle streets would be. There is a perfect opportunity

at Lions Park to have a first-class skateboard facility.

ROBERT GRAHAM

Costa Mesa

I just want to give my thanks to Linda Dixon for her rebuttal to Mike

Scheafer regarding the planned skateboard park. It was useful information

for all citizens on the history of the park and showed City Council

members’ willingness to listen to our residents, and their time-consuming

task of weighing the facts and reaching their best decisions.

JANE ABBOTT

Costa Mesa

I am responding to the City Council’s request on comments about the

skateboard park, and the City Council did the right thing. It was a

difficult decision, but it was in the best interest of the youth of our

city. The fact that the City Council is actively looking for another site

speaks well for its diligence in trying to meet the community’s needs.

The site at Charle and Hamilton may not be physically attractive, but the

location is strategic in that it would upgrade and bring recreation to a

location that sorely needs it. Since it is only one block from Harbor

Boulevard, it will be readily accessible to youth who need to ride the

bus.

Linda Dixon was absolutely right when she said that the City Council’s

decision not to select Lions Park and TeWinkle Park was based on the

determination of fact and utilization.

Scheafer is out of line when he campaigns publicly against those who

appointed him to office. These are the kinds of questions that should be

resolved in conference with the council, and not in the public arena. And

I commend the City Council for doing what they have done. We will go

forward from this.

PHYLLIS ATKINSON

Costa Mesa

In response to the skate park question, I think the City Council did the

absolute best it possibly could in trying to satisfy both sides.

LORIE TIMLICK

Costa Mesa