Kathy wrote on Jun 23, 2006 5:16 PM:I moved to Wildomar for the rural area to have horses. I already pay for schools I will never use and think it is very unfair to charge those who will never use the parks. Mello Roos pays for parks and schools and thats where the money from the new homes in the area should come from. Its obvious the voters decided not to approve this in 2000 because they didn't want the parks. The mother who wants parks for their kids would certainly look suspiciously upon a single person without children in a park as a threat. How about you put the fee on the those homeowners who want the parks or charge a fee per park like Irvine does. In addition, the so-called small amount of $45 a yr referenced will only last the first year and then it will end up like Temecula where you pay $100s and then that will not be enough...it never ends! There are no parks in rural areas. If you want parks, move to Irvine or anywhere throughout Orange County where there are no cows, goats, chickens or horses.

Bridgette wrote on Jul 13, 2006 9:31 AM:The reason it was not approved in 2000 was NOT because we didn't want parks it was because the residents were upset with how the parks district was being ran. We wanted parks then and we want parks now. There is no way the $45 can increase to "100s" without another vote. The $45 can increase 2% a year which equals .90 cents without a vote. So IF it increased less than a dollar a year it would take over 50 years to get to a $100. My family moved to "rural" Wildomar in 1998 and there was parks then. We are less rural now, then in 1998. Communities need parks. Doesn't matter if rural, semi-rural or city.

Lloyd wrote on Jul 13, 2006 9:48 AM:Kathy, When you were a child you didn't pay for parks, but someone with no children or grown children did. Mello Roo's, created for school enhancement, do not go to parks. For the assessment to go up to $100 would require another vote, it can't happen without one. There is more then just livestock in Wildomar, there are people. And yes, even in Greenleaf Kansas, population 138, they have parks. Rural doesn't mean backwards.

Susan wrote on Jul 13, 2006 1:14 PM:Numerous national and international studies have sited that communities indeed benefit from public parks. Wildomar is no exception & there is research to support this (see Riverside County EDA report on parks). Community parks are not just a place to take children – they serve as a shining jewel to any community, offer a place to truly bring the community together. I agree that Wildomar’s rural areas are both beautiful & enjoyable. However, keep in mind that in 2000, Wildomar’s population was just over 10,000 yet today, it is now over 25,000. Wildomar is no longer a purely rural area – Instead we have diversity, tied to a rich history, and a strong sense of community. These are the traits that attract so many to move to this area. Community parks clearly benefit all residents, of all ages, rural or otherwise. I will vote yes for parks because it clearly benefits the community I have come to love.