READER’S EDITORIAL: ALPINE COUNTY PARK CAN BECOME A REALITY. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP

By C. Bonsignore, Alpine

September 4, 2017 (Alpine) -- Imagine a picnic under a shade tree in a cool grassy park, relaxing with friends and the whole family, while the kids play on swings and slides, the teens on the skateboard ramps, there are fire pits, barbecues, restrooms, fountains, dog frisbee, seniors playing bocce ball and 24/7 access, right here in Alpine..

This can become a reality. The County of San Diego has approximately $900,000 in Park Land Designated Ordinance (PLDO) funds available to our Alpine community to establish a County Park.

Our neighbors of Descanso, Harbinson Canyon, Flynn Springs, Lakeside, Santee... have wonderful County Parks.

Alpine has been using these PLDO funds over the years for school improvements rather than save them, and buy land suitable for a Community Park.

Now the Alpine Education Foundation (AEF)  and the Alpine Community Planning Group (ACPG) are attempting to siphon off these PLDO funds once again, this time to install artificial turf fields at JMMS that won't even be available to the public during school hours or after school while other groups pay to use the fields.

A school is not a public park.

Please let the ACPG and the AEF and the County Board of Supervisors know in writing that as member of the Alpine Community you would prefer to save our PLDO funds with the goal of acquiring the land in Alpine suitable to build and enjoy a County Park for All.

The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastecountymagazine.org.