Residents have a chance to support parks

By: ELAINE BELLUCCI - For The Californian | Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:33 PM PDT ∞

Wednesday, ballots to vote on an annual $45 assessment for maintenance and operations of community parks in Wildomar were scheduled to be mailed to all residential property owners in the Wildomar Parks boundaries. These ballots should arrive in mailboxes soon.

A letter was sent from the Wildomar Parks Formation Committee to 6,951 Wildomar residential property owners on July 3.The letter states "Community Parks are more than just a place for our children to play, they are places for the entire community to come together, to relax, learn, and live!"

Parks are important to a community. And, I also believe everyone benefits! Certainly those with young children know the advantages of getting the little ones out of the house and outdoors to play off excess energy. Parks are needed for organized sports activities and other programs that promote the well-being of children of all ages. But it doesn't stop with children. Senior activities can be focused around a park venue. And, there is no question that a community with parks is more desirable to home buyers, so property values may be increased with the opening of the parks. A $45 annual investment into park upkeep is wise for any residential property owner, as the returns on the investment, both monetary and personal, will be much greater than the assessment charged.

According to Bridgette Moore, a member of the parks committee, many residents have responded already to the letter via telephone and Web site. And the responses are overwhelmingly positive. The committee set up an information table for four hours July 1 at the Wildomar Stater Bros. on Clinton Keith Road, and they handed out 50 "vote yes" signs. According to Ms. Moore, only one person that day said they would vote no.

I stated in an earlier column this past March that I believe Wildomar has a renewed sense of community spirit and pride. Community parks are something tangible that can enhance fellowship of the community. Additionally, the reopening of three parks and the addition of another are logical steps as Wildomar moves forward in the quest for cityhood.

Another reason it is imperative that this $45 assessment passes is the funding that Wildomar will receive from Riverside County. According to Ms. Moore, "The county has allocated $6 million to rehabilitate our closed parks, if we pass the assessment of $45 a year. This is a very good deal."

A good deal, indeed! But in order to get the funds, the assessment must be passed. Ms. Moore continues, "We can have parks for only $3.75 a month, the cost of one latte or a Happy Meal, that is such a small cost and we will be getting so much."

The ballots will arrive any day now, and are due back by Aug. 29. It takes only a minute or two to mark your vote and run to the mailbox. One doesn't even have to drive to a polling station.

The parks committee members, who are all volunteers, are available to answer questions about the parks assessment. A table will be located outside the Wildomar Stater Bros. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on July 15, July 29 and Aug. 12. For more information, residents can call (951) 222-3716, or they can visit the parks committee's Web site at www.WildomarParks.com.

Elaine Bellucci of Murrieta is a regular columnist for The Californian. E-mail elainebellucci@msn.com.