Activist Not Green at Park Fund-Raising

Twenty-five years ago, Tom McKiernan led Pacific Palisades residents as they raised money to purchase a blighted gas station and transform it into a lush, thriving area known as Village Green Park.

So when McKiernan, 71, heard that the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District was building Eldred Lokker Park at the corner of Calle Higuera and Avenida Soltura--across from his home--he sprang into action.

During the last month, his grass-roots effort has raised more than $4,000 in the form of tree and bench sponsorships and the requests, McKiernan said, are still pouring in.

The park district is financing the 7-acre park, while the sponsorships will fund improvements, including barbecues, a rose garden and shuffleboard areas.

In a letter sent to about 2,000 homes near Lokker Park, McKiernan announced that seven park benches, each with a name plaque, were available for $200 apiece. They sold in one week. Memorial bricks, costing $150 and $300, and 52 trees from California sycamores to London planes, are also available for sponsorship. Larger trees cost $300; smaller ones cost $150. McKiernan said they have already sold two California sycamores.

To sponsor a tree, bench or memorial brick, call 389-0393 or 482-1996.