MISSION VIEJO : Park Department to Ask for Opinions

The Parks and Recreation Department will go to the people today in an effort to find out what citizens think of the city park system.

Residents will have a chance to meet with recreation officials at four sites in Mission Viejo to discuss problems and solutions, said Wayne Lowery, director of the department.

“We’re just going to open our ears . . . and let people talk,” Lowery said. “We’ll sit and talk about what they would like to see improved and about problems like teen-age drinking in the parks.”

The meetings will start at Castille Park at 9 a.m. and move every two hours to El Dorado Park, Melinda Park and Marguerite O’Neill Park. City staff will also present a package of improvements planned for some sites, such as additional playground equipment, security lighting, picnic shelters and landscaping, Lowery said.

The park director was enthusiastic over the response received from citizens on the park forums.

“To be honest, I was just half optimistic originally, but we’ve gotten several phone calls from people,” Lowery said. “One lady who said she couldn’t make it managed to send a letter with her comments. So we expect quite a turnout.”

This is the first year for the park forum, and Lowery hopes to make it an annual event.

“The city wants to be service-oriented and the best way to provide good service is to find out what the people want,” he said.