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Flores, Dora From: Hall, Jennifer Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 9:29 AM To: eComment Subject: FW: Washington Square Needs a Walkable Park From: nina.jirik@washington-square.org <nina.jirik@washington-square.org> Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 5:40 PM To: Amezcua, Valerie <VAmezcua@santa-ana.org>; Phan, Thai <TPhan@santa-ana.org>; Lopez, Jessie <JessieLopez@santa-ana.org>; Hernandez, Johnathan <JRyanHernandez@santa-ana.org>; Carvalho, Sonia R. <SCarvalho@santa-ana.org>; Vazquez, Benjamin <bvazquez@santa-ana.org>; Bacerra, Phil <pbacerra@santa-ana.org>; Penaloza, David <DPenaloza@santa-ana.org>; Hall, Jennifer <jhall@santa-ana.org>; Hatch, Tom <thatch@santa- ana.org>; Mendoza, Steven <SMendoza@santa-ana.org> Subject: Washington Square Needs a Walkable Park Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. As you know, Santa Ana is a Park Poor city. While the City is doing a good job of addressing this in other parts of Santa Ana we do not have a walkable park in our neighborhood. Washington Square is in an Environmental Justice area and needs greenspace. The owner of the only remaining vacant land in our neighborhood approached the City of Santa Ana over two years ago, but discussions have not advanced to the seller's satisfaction. When the Washington Square Board of Directors were made aware of this opportunity, we jumped into action. Over the past year we have gauged the interest of the residents of Washington Square. There is overwhelming enthusiasm from almost everyone we have spoken to. We have circulated petitions, and to date we have 653 signatures representing 394 households in Washington Square. We have spoken at several Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. The Commissioners toured the vacant property last August and all agreed it is a perfect for a walkable park. We have spoken to the Measure-X committee urging them to designate funding for a feasibility study which has been recommended by the City Manager as the next step in making this park a reality. We have spoken at numerous City Council meetings bringing an awareness to our request for a park. This is the only opportunity to put a neighborhood walkable park in Washington Square. The property owner wants to sell it soon to the City or to a developer. It is our only chance, and the time is now. We are requesting your vote for the first step in making this park a reality, please vote to approve a feasibility study. Nina Jirik Carol Frank WSNA Co -Presidents