ARROYO
SECO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
Letter about:
Ave 43 freeway off ramp
- beautification of pocket park(s) -
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Re: New Demand Warrant Form Pat Griffith ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After attending the meeting with Parks and Rec., I sent the folowing email the next day to Ernest Sanchez, Roy Payan and Jack Fenn. Roy, the President of MHIA, replied to me that he too would like to see a more comprehensive approach - and he mentioned the possibility of applying for a community grant to assist, for example. As I mention in the following email, I would be happy to help get the ball rolling on this. Any thoughts? Peter Di Sabatino ~~~~ Here is my earlier email: ~~~~ It seems that the meeting with Parks and Rec went well the other night - thanks again for all of your efforts in improving the communities and constituencies that share this gateway location. I am writing to see if we cannot continue to try to make this a true gateway / threshold for the Arroyo area and communities. I think we are faced with a significant opportunity to leverage Parks and Recreation's commitment and interest in improving the triangular area to also include at least a part of the barren area to the south (or right as one exits the parkway). From various comments, at least some at Parks and Rec would like to do so too, and/or have wanted to do so in the past. I am also sure that many members from the various communities would rally to a landscaped gateway concept that includes both sides of Avenue 43 off-ramp. I drove the exit ramp (and surrounding area) again yesterday, and am convinced that with a bit more effort (and money / in-kind contributions), we can create something of value and meaning for our communities and our visitors. We can transform a barren site full of opportunity and potential (that is currently in a dismal state and sends a poor message about our communities) into a beautiful thing and experience easily and relatively inexpensively with a more comprehensive landscape plan - a plan that is implemented and maintained. It seems that beyond the communities and constituencies of the area and Parks and Recreation, we would need to engage people at Heritage Square and NorthEast Trees - perhaps also the Lummis House. What do you think? I am sure that this project can be done and maintain (and actually improve) the functionality desired for the southern section. Design is often opportunistic in nature - and this is a true opportunity and the timing is right, I think. I am happy to assist, and I am sure this project will excite others. Can we discuss this further, or what do you suggest as possible next steps to see that this project is properly and fully done? Thank you, Peter From: ASNCAlert@yahoogroups.com Posted by: Jack Fenn I want to thank Recreation and Parks staffers Craig Raines, Chris Attencio, Bob Baker, and Jesse Medina, as well as CD1 Field Rep Mike Fong, for their presentation last night at the Montecito Heights Senior Center. We are back on track, and the community can look forward to native plants and trees and further restoration of Arroyo Seco habitat. The overwhelming audience sentiment for attractive, drought tolerant, low maintainence natives was matched by the views of City landscape designer Craig Raines. Although there are some cost considerations yet to be resolved (and the middle of a dry, hot summer is not the time to plant), the project will move forward. As small as the triangle of land is, the discussion and agreement last night bode well for future similar issues throughout the Arroyo. Jack Fenn |