Wildomar Voters Say No To Measure D; City's Parks Expected To Close

Election night at Wildomar Mayor Marsha Swanson’s home saw nearly 50 Measure D supporters and volunteers turn out for a hopeful celebration, but there weren't any cheers.

In order to pass, the initiative required a two-thirds vote.

The Measure asked voters whether they were willing to incur an annual special tax of $28 to pay for their three parks -- , and .

As the counts came in Tuesday night, the poll numbers cast a somber mood at the Mayor’s home.

“It’s a sad, sad day,” said Kristan Lloyd, whose husband John chaired the Wildomar Blue Ribbon Parks Advisory Committee – the group that spearheaded the Yes On D campaign.

“It’s been overwhelming and excruciating,” Kristan said of the lead up to Election Night. “To see all the hard work the volunteers put into this and now …”

Wildomar City Councilwoman Bridgette Moore has worked on the parks issue for the last 11 years. She witnessed their closure from 1999 to 2006 after funding was lost. She and other parks' supporters successfully campaigned for a special assessment that saw the parks reopen in 2006, but then watched again as funding was stripped last year after a lawsuit challenging the assessment prevailed.

“I’m disappointed,” Moore said of Tuesday’s outcome. “The parks will close. We will lose a sense of community and our children will lose.”

Wildomar Community Services Director Paula Willette said keeping the parks open is not an option without Measure D.

“The city does not have the money,” she said.

While there was no discussion among parks' supporters Tuesday night about possible next steps, there was a sense of camaraderie.

“This is Wildomar,” Mayor Swanson said of the people gathered at her home Tuesday. “Everyone here is sharing friendship. This is the community.”