Dear Editor,
After attending a master plan update meeting for Las Animas
Veterans Park and reading the Dispatch

Historic Barn to be Razed

published June 16 and

Where are the Restrooms at Sunrise Park?

letter published May 29, I noticed that Gilroy intends to build
a community center at Las Animas, Christmas Hill and Sunrise
Park.
Dear Editor,

After attending a master plan update meeting for Las Animas Veterans Park and reading the Dispatch “Historic Barn to be Razed” published June 16 and “Where are the Restrooms at Sunrise Park?” letter published May 29, I noticed that Gilroy intends to build a community center at Las Animas, Christmas Hill and Sunrise Park.

Can someone please clarify why Gilroy would need (at least) three community centers? At the Las Animas meeting it was mentioned that adding a community center would generate revenue. But I have to ask, just how viable is it to build an expensive facility that would require additional resources for maintenance and services?

Currently, the city has trouble managing the bathrooms at Las Animas, can it afford the resources to operate this facility?

Parks have the intrinsic value of nature – providing green, open spaces. This view is supported by the survey conducted for Las Animas, when asked “What do you like best about Las Animas?” the greatest response was: “Open Spaces.”

A community center is contrary to this feature and the purpose of a park is not to generate revenue. While the city would be well served by the added features of a community center, we should not sacrifice the value provided by our parks. Perhaps a single, central location (such as the downtown) could serve the entire community and also help revitalize a much needed section of the city.

Pedro Betancourt, Gilroy

The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.

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