L.G. RENEWS PUSH TO OPEN SCHOOL FIELDS TO PUBLIC

Officials like idea of weekend access; questions remain

Lemon Grove leaders are weighing whether to open school fields to the public on Saturdays, renewing pandemic-delayed talks that could expand green space access in a parkstarved city.

Discussions between the City Council and the Lemon Grove School District have lasted years, and officials said a final deal was likely still months away, although San Altos Elementary may be accessible sooner.

While no formal vote was taken, the two groups appeared to unanimously support moving forward during a special joint meeting Tuesday in the Roberto Alvarez Auditorium at Lemon Grove Academy Middle.

“In principle, we all love the idea,” said school board member Greg Shibley, who was one of several to praise the potential community and economic benefits of neighbors spending more time outside. “But there’s practical concerns.”

Namely: Who will open and close the gates? Who will pick up trash left by the public? And who will pay if equipment is damaged or people are hurt?

Officials also said they’ll have to work around an existing agreement with Little League, although that organization is currently using just the middle school’s softball field.

Superintendent Erica Balakian and City Manager Lydia Romero must now hash out how to amend the existing joint use agreement. The two sides already share the recreation center, and leaders recently moved to expand public access to that gym. The city pays for any damage during the weekend, Romero said.

Officials have been hampered by short staffing, and the city is still likely weeks away from getting a new public works director.

No timeline was given Tuesday for when an arrangement might be reached.

Officials also praised a proposal to dramatically renovate San Miguel Elementary

School in the western part of the city.

The plan, developed by the engineering firm Alta, would not only add play areas and parking but potentially improve how kids are dropped off on the notoriously busy San Miguel road.

“Anybody who lives in Lemon Grove and has driven down that street during the time that school lets out or is getting in knows that road is a problem,” said School Board President Cheryl Robertson.

The proposal would add a “drop-off zone,” essentially an extra lane, so vehicles could pull off the main street with their kids.

The full project would cost about $3.5 million, according to Alta Planning Associate Kristin Haukom.

The city applied for a grant from the California Department of Transportation and officials said they’ll hear back in October.

If the money comes through, Haukom said construction could ideally finish by 2025, although that date is not set in stone.

blake.nelson @sduniontribune.com