During this season of giving, we would like to give thanks to the city of Los Altos for making some headway on two major park projects.
The half-acre site at Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road finally came to life last month, as construction crews began work on the park designs approved last spring. The $163,780 project, designed to include paths, berms and assorted landscaping, was a long time coming - several years. And we must admit we continued our skepticism after the council's approval of money and designs, as the months dragged on and the site remained a weed patch.
But the delay is over, work has begun, and we're not the only ones who are ecstatic. The folks at the neighboring Parc Regent senior housing are looking forward to the new park, and a few nearby residents are so grateful for the work that they have donated a park tree in the process.
While realization of a full-scale recreation plan at the 5.5-acre 401 Rosita site is still years away, we're glad to know the city is proceeding with work to grass two playing fields to get them ready for use in 1999. City council members approved plans last month for fields work this winter, which should have them ready for play by September.
The execution of this plan, costing about $480,000, is more extensive than Edith-San Antonio. It involves demolition of the former St. William convent and school classrooms, and all paving areas across four acres. Then, grading work will take place, followed by installation of an irrigation system, grass and some trees. Though this work already has been delayed about half a year from the original target date, we're glad the city is moving forward.
Development of park land is vital, we feel, to the healthy spirit of a community. It's refreshing to see the council and city staff have their priorities in order.