Scratched and dimpled metal slides, faded and chipped paint, ancient graffiti, and sand that looks better suited for kitty litter are only a few of the problems with John Z. Hernandez Memorial Park on the corner of Ranchito Drive and Central Avenue.
County Supervisor Jamie De La Cruz hopes to change the playground. Thursday he met with Ross Recreation Equipment Sales Representative Liz Riehl to start the process of replacing the outdated and code-violating 23-year-old playground.
"These codes are created so parks like this don't exist," De La Cruz said. "But it exists."
The park is on the west side of Hollister. De La Cruz said the east side of Hollister traditionally gets more parks and recreation funding and development money. He attributes this to the development plan set up by previous City Council members.
Hollister City Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia said she is in favor of spending more money on developing the west side of Hollister.
Valdivia believes it is ignored largely due to its isolation. But with the right commercial development it could flourish, she said.
"It's another gateway coming in," Valdivia said.
De La Cruz said parents in the neighborhood do not let their children play in the park. He said installing a new playground geared for 2- to 5-year-olds would be a great benefit for stay-at-home parents in the neighborhood.
The playground as it is violates safety codes and is not wheelchair-accessible due to the sand. The chipped paint from the metal surfaces not only could lead to burns from hot, sun-exposed metal, but children also could possibly ingest hazardous or toxic materials from paint chips or dust, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission's Handbook for Playground Safety.
"I have grandkids and they ask, 'Grandma, can I play?' and I say no," said Angie Lopez, who lives across the street from the park. Lopez has two foster children ages 5 and 10, and 10 grandchildren. "I don't think it's clean. I don't think it's protected for the kids."
Lopez said a new playground would be great, but that the neighborhood also has many 7- to 10-year olds who would benefit from updated equipment. She said she never lets her grandchildren or foster children play in the park.
De La Cruz hopes a new park will help bring the community together.
"Once this thing gets beautified there are going to be a lot of parents and their kids out there," De La Cruz said. "Especially during the summertime."
Riehl and De La Cruz said the entire renovation would cost about $40,000, would conform to all safety codes with its modern plastic structures and also conform to all Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines.
Instead of sand, which attracts undesirables such as cat feces, there will be 12 inches of engineered wood fiber. The wood fiber is easier on falling children and makes the playground wheelchair-accessible, Riehl said.
Ross Recreation Equipment, based in Aptos, takes safety precautions into consideration, allowing ample space around the playground structure for children to run around, Riehl said. The company offers customizable and interchangeable design plans and parts.
De La Cruz hopes to get members of the neighborhood involved in all phases of the renovation, from initial planning and choosing of playground structure parts to actual work on the site such as hauling in the wood fibers.
"I want to make sure parents take ownership of that park," De La Cruz said.
De La Cruz said he will be going door-to-door in the neighborhood to assess the needs and desires of residents. He hopes to have met with neighbors by the end of October and have plans in place by January 2007.
The renovation will have to be approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council. De La Cruz hopes funding for the project will come from the park fees, the Hollister Redevelopment Agency or several grants available for redevelopment.
Lopez hopes a new playground would be well-treated and stay maintained.
"People just need to learn how to appreciate things," Lopez said.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or mvancassell@freelancenews.com.
Michael Van Cassell Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335.
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