Too much of Lang Ranch Park is for T.O. Little League

As a member of the Lang Ranch Focus Group and as a concerned neighbor of the Lang Ranch Community Park, I'd like to respond to comments that have been expressed on these pages and in public meetings.

The majority of the proposed Lang Ranch Park is to be dedicated solely as the home for Thousand Oaks Little League (TOLL).

The current proposal calls for four lighted baseball fields and two T-ball fields. Another lighted field will have a soccer field overlay. Our objection isn't about children playing in "our backyard" because we absolutely welcome the size and scope of the proposed baseball complex.

The park should have elements that will provide a wide spectrum of recreational and play activities not only for the residents in the immediate area of the park but also for all the residents of Thousand Oaks.

Lacrosse and field hockey are popular and need more play space. Young children would certainly enjoy a small area with water elements. Seniors would welcome lawn bowling.

However, the monumental expenditure of resources for the baseball complex comes at the expense of other potential amenities.

We're concerned about funding. Plans for Phase I call for the grading of the entire site and the build-out of the baseball complex only. Funding for the rest of the park is not guaranteed.

If funding is so limited, why not develop Phase I to meet the broad-based needs of the entire community, from toddlers to seniors?

Traffic, parking, noise, lighting, pedestrian safety and environmental issues have been considered in the environmental impact study.

As was thoughtfully expressed by Conejo Recreation and Park District director Joe Gibson, the mitigation proposals haven't been entirely analyzed. We, as a community, should be concerned as to the methodology and the usual benchmarks used to determine whether or not the mitigations are safe and esthetically acceptable.

If all parties come together with reason and sincerity we'll have a park that can be enjoyed by everyone, sooner than later. Ron Siegel Westlake Village