I tried to reserve a picnic area at Christmas Hill Park today
(Aug. 24), for Saturday (Aug. 29). I was told it was not reserved.
However, I needed to reserve it 10 business days ahead.
“I tried to reserve a picnic area at Christmas Hill Park today (Aug. 24), for Saturday (Aug. 29). I was told it was not reserved. However, I needed to reserve it 10 business days ahead. No wonder revenue is down. Business is so good they do not try to help anyone with last minute needs if space is available. Just thought it is not a good community policy for public good will.”
Red Phone: Dear Spontaneous Fiesta, All reservations must be made in person at the Community Services Department. In addition to the 10 business days advance notice required for reservations, the city also requires 10 business days advance notice for cancelling reservations.
The reason for the delay is because the city needs time to make sure all the services requested are provided, said Recreation Coordinator John Garcia. And the park personnel needs time to get the park ready once they receive the request. There are many factors that come into play such as if electricity is needed or if a building is needed.
“If they have alcohol or music, they need to get a special permit,” Garcia said. “They may also need extra security. These things have to be factored in with the application.”
The city takes three to four days to review the application, Garcia said. Once all the permits are in place, Garcia signs and passes it on to parks personnel to prepare the area.
“We want to make it as easy as possible, but we still have to make sure everything is ready for them when they get there,” Garcia said. “Otherwise people will say ‘I paid good money then you didn’t provide good facilities.'”
The parks are also open on a first-come-first-serve basis if you want to take your chance and not pay the reservation fee, which ranges from $50 to $100.
Update on sick trees
Red Phone: A caller called in recently wondering if anything could be done for the pear trees along Holloway Road and Camino Arroyo to the southeast of Target and Salvation Army.
Santa Clara County Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management Biologist Kristian Barbeau contacted the plant pathology lab in Sacramento to see what might be wrong.
“The report says that the trees have Fire Blight (Erwinia amylovora),” she said. “I have spoken with the owners and landscapers for the property and they are aware of the problem. They are planning on pruning the dead braches out, which should help prevent the spread.”
To learn more about the blight, visit The University of California’s Web site at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7414.html.
