Community park best for Lang Ranch

Like a previous writer, I agree that development of a community park at Lang Ranch is long overdue. Unfortunately, what's been proposed by Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) doesn't meet the definition of a community park.

For example, the park is scheduled to be developed in phases. Phase 1 is fully funded, with CRPD and the city of Thousand Oaks putting up $5 million each to pay for that phase.

However, Phase 2 isn't funded and its development is "contingent upon available funding."

Given that the city of Thousand Oaks had to dip into its reserve account to the tune of $40 million late last year, something tells me that they're not going to be the source of the future funding. At the national level, we're using words like "recession" and "economic stimulus package."

How can we be sure that the funding will be available in the future?

So what happens if future funding isn't available?

Simple. There will be no children's playgrounds, nor group picnic areas, nor tennis courts, nor volleyball courts, etc. because all that's slated for construction in phase 2.

What will we have? According to the plan proposed by CRPD, phase 1 will consist of construction of four lighted baseball fields, amplified public address systems, two T-ball fields, a concession stand, bleachers for the baseball fields, a baseball warm-up area and a baseball storage area.

My question to the previous letter writer, as well as to the community is, does that sound like a community park to you?

Those of us who live in the neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the park site are counting on CRPD as well. But we're counting on them to do the right thing and develop a true community park in Phase 1.

Build some of the playgrounds and tennis courts and hiking trails in phase 1. That way, if funding isn't available in the future, we'll still have a wonderful community park that all the local residents can enjoy. Steve McComas Thousand Oaks