Azule Neighbors want improvements
By Kara Chalmers
The city's Parks and Recreation Commissioners heard from neighbors who want the city to improve and better utilize Azule Park at the commission meeting on Nov. 6.
Outgoing chairwoman of the commission, Judy Alberts, said that Azule Park was on the commission's agenda only for discussion, and stressed that the city is not considering putting in soccer or baseball fields there.
The handful of neighbors of the park who turned up at the meeting spoke of the need to fix up the park and possibly turn it into something more comparable with the nearby Kevin Moran Park in the city, with a playground and picnic sites. They also spoke of the need to eliminate rodents, such as gophers, rats and mice, at the park. But the neighbors emphasized they were not advocating for organized sports at the park.
Lido Way resident Laura Gloner wrote to the commission, in a letter dated Oct. 30, that Azule Park is an eyesore and a liability to the neighborhood in its current condition, since there are dead orchard trees that could be a safety problem. The commission was in part responding to her letter when members discussed the park on Nov. 6.
Katie Alexander, chairwoman of the Azule Park Neighborhood Association, said the association wants the park developed as a neighborhood park, with a level field and possibly a running track.
"Azule is in dire need of repair," she said. "Our neighborhood has waited over 30 years to get Azule developed. I don't think we should wait any more."
Alberts replied that if and when the city develops Azule Park, there will have to be some amount of give and take between the neighbors and any sports user groups that need a place to play in the city. For example, in the renovation of Congress Springs Park, the city has lost two tennis courts and one basketball court.
"In order for [Azule Park] to be developed, it has to benefit the community," Alberts said.
Furthermore, if the commission uses any of the city's money from the park development fund on Azule Park, the money can only be spent on development, not maintenance.
Two years ago, when the commission was exploring places in the city for playfields, Azule Park was discussed. Because of the outcry from neighbors, the city has never developed the park for soccer or baseball fields.
Instead, the city has spent more than $1 million renovating Congress Springs Park in the city, the park used most for soccer and baseball.
"We've heard you loud and clear," said Commissioner Elaine Clabeaux. "We know what your concerns are. That's why all this time and money has gone into Congress Springs Park."
The city's newly formed park improvement committee will decide how to proceed with improvements at Azule Park at its next meeting on Nov. 16, according to Alberts.
Also at the commission meeting on Nov. 6, the commission elected Norbert Fronczak as new chairman and Clabeaux as vice chair.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
