As Mayor Mehaul O’Leary presciently observed yesterday while discussing playground dilemma, borderline crisis, at Syd Kronenthal Park, East Culver City:
The machinery of government moves at a barely measurable pace.
He had hoped to walk out of last night’s emergency community meeting, at Kronenthal, with three dozen eager parents, clutching an agreement that their complaints about playground equipment not only had been heard but resolved.
After three wrung-out hours, Mr. O’Leary left with 50 percent of the bargain pocketed – anguished criticisms of lack of age-appropriate equipment were heard by all members of the Parks and Recreation Commission and by the three City Council members in attendance, Jim Clarke, Meghan Sahli-Wells and Mr. O’Leary.
Parents of the youngest Kronenthal playground regulars, 2- to 5-year-olds, want upgraded equipment – not too intimidating, not too simplistic. They were disappointed that City Hall’s last gift to the park was for equipment for older children.
Because of the complexities of funding—the sun has to be positioned just right in the bureaucratic sky – the Council and Parks Commission gave the families a three-word reply:
“We shall see.”
On Mayor O’Leary’s motion, the downsized Council unanimously agreed to have staff prepare a report on the budget impact of a further playground investment. The Council will evaluate the evidence at its June 22 meeting.
One rocky, undetermined factor is whether funding will be available from the County, a matter for Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to determine.
It is instructive to recall that County funding for similar Culver City projects has been inching along at a molasses pace for the past eight years.
There is no question the apparently deprived 2- to 5-year-olds have something to look forward to. The only unresolved part is whether that will happen in their youth or in a couple decades when they become parents.
Among other dangling details noted by Councilman Clarke:
There was no clear consensus about how plans should play out.
The comment period has been extended.
Still unknown is what the cost will be to City Hall with/without County funding.
Sixty-one thousand dollars is said to be available, but that is not official.
An answer from the County is expected by the June 22 Council meeting.
