Atwood Atrophied, Some Say
PLACENTIA — It is one of the city’s venerable neighborhoods, filled with longtime residents whose ancestors bought land in the 1920s, built modest homes, married and stayed.
But the people of Atwood, a predominantly Latino area tucked south of Orangethorpe Avenue between Van Buren Street and Richfield Road, say their home has fallen into increasing disrepair--with the silent acquiescence of city officials.
“We just feel like we’re always left out--that we get the short end of the stick,†Rey Perez, 28, said of the neighborhood, a pocket of about 108 houses literally on the other side of the railroad tracks.
Playground equipment is dilapidated. Vegetation is overgrown. And neighborhood children are endangered daily by commuters who turn residential streets into a hazardous shortcut to and from work, neighbors complain.
Rey and Monica Perez both grew up in Atwood and want to raise their children there. But first, they said, they want it to be safer and cleaner.
After years of frustration, there may be reason for hope.
Two dozen residents finally got City Hall’s attention in October and have won commitments that old playground equipment will be replaced, trees trimmed, law enforcement increased and the neighborhood generally cleaned up.
Most pressing, residents said, is the need for sidewalks along the east side of Van Buren to make it safer for children walking to and from school.
Heavy traffic and speeders on Van Buren, used by motorists during peak commuter hours as a shortcut to Orangethorpe Avenue, must also be addressed, residents said.
“People fly through here in their cars and don’t care that children are playing,†said Rey Perez, whose longtime family home fronts Van Buren. “We’re scared to let our children play.â€
Residents also want new playground equipment and improved ball fields at Parque de los Ninos, upgrades to the 22-year-old Gomez Community Center, parkway trees trimmed and sidewalks repaired.
“When you come here it’s supposed to be Placentia, but why does it look like the outskirts?†said Anna Hernandez, 37, who moved to Atwood with her family 11 years ago.
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City Administrator Robert D’Amato said improvements are planned for Atwood that include a code enforcement effort to rid the neighborhood of inoperable vehicles, discarded furniture and trash.
This year, the city will spend $81,000 for new park play equipment and repairs at the Gomez Community Center, he added.
New sidewalks on Van Buren will depend on whether the city receives permission from area homeowners to take property needed to build the walkway, D’Amato said.
The changes may just revive the optimism of those whose roots in the neighborhood run generations deep, and whose family ties keep them from moving on.
Louis and Mickie Vargas, both 76, have lived in the community more than 70 years. They attended the neighborhood school, married in the Atwood church and like their neighborhood.
But, says Mickie Vargas, 76, “I would like it to look nicer.â€
Residents say the planned improvements are a start, and they are hopeful that the city will follow through with its promises.
“At least there is a beginning,†said longtime resident Allan Gate, 65. “Hopefully we’ll see some results.â€
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