Countywide : County OKs $600,000 to Aid Parks

County supervisors have approved spending more than $600,000 in matching funds for park improvements in four cities.

The funds are part of the county’s $2-million Urban Parks Program. Under the program, money is allocated annually for park improvements. Each supervisor can nominate park projects, with the entire board having final approval.

Supervisor Don R. Roth said the 10 projects he recommended for funding are in cities in his 4th District that would probably be unable to make the improvements without matching funds from the county. The board unanimously approved the projects at its meeting Tuesday.

Anaheim will receive the bulk of funds, or about $335,000, for lighting projects at five of its parks. The city launched a plan more than four years ago to improve lighting at all its parks, said Jack Kudron, city park superintendent. The city’s parks are open until 10:30 p.m. but are rarely used after dark because of insufficient lighting, he said.

“What we’re really trying to do is promote positive use of the parks after dark. But I won’t deny it will also have a deterrent effect on someone who may want to be destructive,” Kudron said.

Lincoln Park, Maxwell Park, Rio Vista Park and Twila Reid Park have all had some problems with graffiti in the past, he said. But with the city matching $210,000 from the county, those problems could be eliminated, he added.

The remaining $125,000 from the county will be matched by Anaheim to install lighting at Toyon Park in Anaheim Hills. The park will be built near Gypsum Canyon when housing developments are completed.

La Palma will match the county’s $50,000 grant to finish a master plan for its 7 1/2-acre Central Park.

“Central Park is the city’s only viable park,” said Ron Kenny, director of recreation and community services for the city. “We need to have a comprehensive plan.”

That plan will include building a large gazebo for concerts and plays, constructing a playground for older children and renovating the existing playground for preschool-age children.

Orange will use its allocation of $150,000 to design a 23,000-square-foot gymnasium for El Camino Park. The park has the highest user rate in the city, according to Gabe Garcia, community services manager.

Two parks in Placentia will upgrade playgrounds to accommodate people who use wheelchairs. Parque de los Ninos and Parque del Arroyo Verde will have the sand in the play areas replaced by wood chips for easier access by wheelchairs, said Jim Soto, recreation director.

Security lighting will be installed at Jaycee Parkette, Soto said. Residents have complained that they cannot use the small park at night because of poor lighting. The county granted $83,000 for the four Placentia projects.