CITY DEVELOPING PARKS FOR FUN IN SUN, SHADE; ACREAGE TO RISE FROM 86 TO 190.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

Public park development is in full swing this summer to provide the city's 147,000 residents with 190 acres of new outdoor recreational space.

The City Council recently appropriated $200,000 for design services for a 24-acre river park, still unnamed.

``We're going to look at specific uses over the next year, but we know it has the opportunity for some sort of aquatic attraction, perhaps a duck pond or reflection pool,'' said Wayne Weber, a parks planner for Santa Clarita.

The park could become a beauty spot along the trail, he said.

``Certainly, it will become part of the citywide River Trail that's used for biking, pedestrians and horseback riding.''

Land for the public park, located in Canyon Country along the usually dry Santa Clara River north of Soledad Canyon Road and west of Camp Plenty Road, was purchased by the city last year.

Parks and recreation staff members will work with design consultants to gather opinions from community residents and to develop a master plan and theme for designing the park.

Depending on what the community wants, the total cost of the project could range from $500,000 to $10 million, Weber said.

In another neighborhood, work remains on schedule in the city's most ambitious ongoing parks project - at Santa Clarita Central Park.

The sprawling 130-acre site on Bouquet Canyon Road will feature much-needed play fields, a concrete promenade with detailed masonry trim, walking trails lined with benches, a playground for tots, offices, restrooms and concession stands.

In the first phase of development, workers are putting up fencing and creating playing fields, a parking lot, restrooms and office buildings and walkways on 45 acres of Central Park.

The city leases the land for a nominal fee from the Castaic Lake Water Agency's Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant. City officials say about $6 million will be spent over two years on the first and second phases of development.

They expect four sports fields, eagerly awaited by soccer teams, to be ready for public use by February. Four softball fields also are being developed.

Meanwhile, city officials are surveying public recreational facilities within the greater Los Angeles area to develop policies on reservations and fees for the multipurpose fields at Central Park.

Also this summer, officials from the city and the Metropolitan Water District are hashing out a lease agreement for a five-acre park site located in the Circle J Ranch community. A first draft of the proposed lease is being reviewed.

Parks officials hope the Circle J Ranch park will be open within 1-1/2 years.

Another park will open within two years on 18 acres south of Newhall Ranch Road, between Bouquet Canyon Road and McBean Parkway. Weber said the Parks Department is working with the developer of surrounding land.

Weber said the department also will start park-design work in about six months for five acres in Saugus off Pamplico Drive.

City officials said Santa Clarita needs every acre of new parks to keep up with the recreational needs of the burgeoning population.

The state's Quimby Act, woven into the city's subdivision code, requires developers to provide three acres of unimproved parkland per 1,000 new residents expected to move into homes they build. If they cannot donate land, they must pay fees.

While land donated under the law comes only in areas of new development, the city continues to acquire parcels around Santa Clarita for outdoor recreation for as many community residents as possible, said Weber.

With projects under way, the city will increase its parks acreage from 86 to 190 acres.

IN DEMAND

While the city pushes for more parks, community residents are flocking to public recreational facilities they already have.

In May, 5,068 children and adults took advantage of the city's Newhall, North Oaks, Santa Clarita and Valencia Glen pools, according to the June report of the Parks Division.

The Sports Complex and Skate Park, less than 2 years old, drew 4,112 people during the month to its gym and racquetball courts. More than one-third participated in community leagues. More than one-third used the gym freely or attended private practice sessions with their teams, while 17 percent played racquetball.

The complex was booked by 30 different groups, and the gym was open without booking on weekends and four weekday evenings last year, according to Parks Division officials.

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BOX: IN DEMAND (See text)