Locals resist park improvements

Simple pleasures are the best for residents who loll about Morrison Park in Agoura Hills. Who needs new tennis and basketball courts when throwing the Frisbee, playing catch with kids, relaxing under a tree or picnicking in the park is all that is needed to take the edge off of a busy week?

But despite the many residents who arrived with petition in hand opposing the city of Agoura Hill's plan to add tennis and basketball courts to the neighborhood park, the Agoura Hills City Council approved the expansion in a 3-2 vote.

After hearing testimony from 20 people who spoke against the upgrades, Mayor Denis Weber and Councilmember Bill Koehler voted against authorization of the plan.

The council agreed to a compromise, eliminating the two proposed half basketball courts.

The plan now includes three tennis courts and restrooms, but if the budget allows, a full basketball court.

"We need recreational facilities," said Amy Brink-Jones, director of community services for the city's recreation department. She said Morrison Park is the last of the city's six parks to undergo improvements.

"The residents of Agoura Hills overwhelmingly don't want tennis and basketball courts," said David Silverman, a resident. "The park will have more concrete than grass. . . It's a passive park, not an active park."

Two young people spoke to the city council about their wish for the park to remain untouched. Kyle Friedman and Aiden Meneil are pals who play together at Morrison several days each week.

"I love Morrison Park because it's a cozy park," Kyle said. Aiden said he enjoys sitting under the trees to talk with friends when he needs a rest.

Gayle and Steve Aron have lived near the park since 1984. They worry that tennis and basketball will draw unwanted traffic to the area.

"The park isn't broke, don't fix it," Steve Aron said.

Others tried to convince council members that the money allocated for park improvements could be better spent on improving sports facilities at Agoura High School.

Other residents worried that basketball courts would attract unruly teens, while some felt that the proximity of the park to Thousand Oaks Boulevard posed safety problems.

Eugene Lewis was the only resident who spoke in favor of the improvements. She said it was unfair to say that Agoura Hills didn't need the tennis courts.

Rising costs

City Engineer Ken Berkman said that in 2004 the city budgeted $200,000 for the park with the hope of obtaining a $250,000 matching grant from the state. The grant was denied and costs soared to $600,000 a year later. All of the improvements today would cost $820,000, Berkman said.

Councilmember John Edelston refused to vote in favor of the park improvements unless they kept to this year's budget of $645,000.

Put the tennis courts

somewhere else

While some officials thought Chumash Park would be a more suitable location for the tennis courts, they felt the city would face similar opposition from nearby residents.

Councilmember Bill Koehler wanted to explore the possibility of leasing three currently unusable tennis courts at Agoura High School. He said the city could pay for the renovation of the run-down courts and maintain them for public use.

Councilmember Harry Schwarz said leasing the courts from the school district would only be a "Band-Aid."

In order to fall under the $645,000 budget, Morrison Park will be redesigned without the half-basketball courts.