Proposal to Revitalize MacArthur Park

* Re “Artist, Official Launch Plan to Revitalize MacArthur Park,” May 1:

I, too, believed the stories of how dangerous the park was. That was, of course, before I strolled around the beautifully restored lake depicted in the photo. Imagine my surprise when I encountered a large number of Latino families, elderly Koreans and, believe it or not, white individuals such as myself, enjoying the lake.

Unlike the reporter, I have never been approached by a drug dealer. In fact, the only time I have been accosted at the park it was by an evangelist seeking to convert me.

This is not to say that I believe the park is perfectly safe, far from it. I have never ventured into the north side of the park, which has many shadowy corners from oversized trees. It is this side of the park that the unsavory characters seem to favor. Nor would I walk around the lake on the south side past dusk. Of course, I wouldn’t walk in any park past dusk.

I understand that the purpose of the article was to drum up support for the park’s revitalization. However, the park is already on its way to revitalization by the law-abiding individuals who visit it.

K. ELIZABETH CRONIN

Los Angeles

* Artist Bernie Zimmerman’s objectives in revitalizing MacArthur Park and the surrounding area are commendable but his plan to bring back paddle boats does not make for the best use of the park.

The way to revitalize the park is to bring back the families and the local population that cannot afford and probably will not use the paddle boats. We are coordinating and spearheading a group of property owners, volunteers and parents to temporarily convert one of the largest parcels of unimproved land across from the park to a soccer and recreational field on a temporary basis until the property is developed. At that time it is our hope that the field can be moved to MacArthur Park on a permanent basis.

There are more than 350,000 families without yards within a four-block area and 75% of those residents do not have a car or primary means of transportation. Heretofore, the streets, sidewalks and asphalt parking lots have been the primary areas of play and recreation for these children.

We hope our project becomes another example of cooperation between the city and private ownership with community support. The land across from MacArthur Park is owned by the IBEW Local 11, whose leadership has been extremely cooperative and supportive. It is our belief that more soccer and recreational fields and well-organized leagues for children in the area, not paddle boats, will help clean up the park and surrounding area.

JOHN E. ALLE,

DANIEL BERDAKIN,

ROBERT McCOBB

Pasadena