Edgewood Park closed three days a week Edgewood Park closed three days a week (July 28, 2004)

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

As budget cuts move from talk to action, visitors to four San Mateo County parks will encounter closed gates Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week.

Mid-week closures of Edgewood Park, San Bruno Mountain Park, San Pedro Valley Park, and Junipero Serra Park are the result of state and county budget cuts that have reduced park budgets by 42 percent over the past three years, and reduced staff in county parks from 66 to 51 positions.

The closures, which began July 20, were planned to minimize the impact on park users by closing lightly used parks at not-so-popular times.

"We are trying to preserve service for the majority of park users," said Parks Superintendent Gary Lockman. "We'll impact about 100,000 people. That's about 5 percent of the 2.2 million annual visits."

Visitors will feel the cuts in other ways -- more dirty rest rooms, less park cleanup and maintenance, and fewer rangers and summer interns.

Mr. Lockman requested that people respect the closures, which are marked by closed gates, and by signs on trails. On days the parks are closed, there will be no staff on hand to pick up garbage, answer questions, or help in case of trouble.

He said he hoped there would be no need to enforce the closures and issue citations. "We are asking everyone to stay out of the parks (on days they are closed)," he said.

Future funds?

Meanwhile, "Parks for the Future," a group that has been working to establish a county-wide park district that could raise additional funds for city and county parks, is regrouping.

State Sen. Byron Sher had offered to carry legislation for a park district proposal that could be presented to county voters. He withdrew the plan in June when it became clear the Legislature wanted more details in the proposal than those provided by a steering committee made up of local county park supporters, said county Supervisor Mike Nevin.

"We've hit some legislative snags," noted Mr. Nevin, who heads the project along with Supervisor Jerry Hill.

The proposed county-wide park district, if approved by the Legislature and passed by voters, would provide a source of revenue dedicated solely to supporting city and county park and recreation programs. San Mateo County is the only county in the Bay Area without such a source of park funds, supporters say. So far 11 of the county's 20 cities support the concept.

Before the plan can be submitted again -- to a different state senator, since Sen. Sher is leaving office at the end of the year -- the steering committee will have to work out a more specific proposal, said Julia Bott, executive director of the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation, and a member of the Parks for the Future Steering Committee.

Details to be worked out include how the proposed district is governed, how money is divided among the county and its 20 cities, and what kinds of park projects would be funded.

"We need to come up with a really solid plan that will meet the needs of the park system, and that the public will support," said Ms. Bott.

BENEFIT

Tour de Peninsula Bike Ride. A benefit for the San Mateo County Parks & Recreation Foundation, a 33-mile recreational bike ride -- with 17- and 21-mile shortcuts -- will be held Sunday, August 1, starting at 8:30 a.m. The route includes Sawyer Camp Trail and Canada Road, and has four rest stops. After the ride, there will be music and food at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Admission: $15-$35. Sequoia High School, 1201 Brewster, Redwood City. Call 321-5812. www.supportparks.org.

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