Wildomar Parks To Remain Open ... For Now

Despite losing at the ballot box, Wildomar parks aren’t dark yet.

According to Wildomar Community Services Director Paula Willette, all three of the city’s parks will remain open over the holiday weekend, and plans are in the works to secure longer-term solutions.

Adams Landscaping has agreed to provide services and resources to keep Windsong Park open for a minimum of 30 days, Willette said. During this period, the company will work with the city on options and fundraising ideas for a sustainable solution, she added.

“Adams Landscaping will provide all maintenance, water, and oversee managing volunteers to keep the park in order, as well as sponsor a “Movie in the Park” night to generate funds and public support on July 23,” Willette said in an emailed statement. “Additional information will come forth as we finalize our agreement.”

Willlette also said the city is working closely with Wildomar Pop Warner Football and Wildomar Little League to put an agreement together for field rental and maintenance of Marna O’Brien Park.  

“The leagues will provide maintenance, utilities, and manage volunteers to keep the park open to the public as we finalize an agreement,” she said.

Heritage Park is expected to close on July 5, Willette said, noting that the city is working with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District on a long-term solution.

“We are hoping to have it all squared away before school starts in the fall,” Willette said.

Heritage is located next to William Collier Elementary School.

Willette said Heritage would likely remain closed to the public, but hopefully be open to students for entry to and from school.

“It’s really about making sure the kids have safe access to school,” she said.

Mark Dennis, coordinator of community and media relations for the school district, said it’s too early to say what will happen at Heritage.

“We’ve only had one preliminary meeting with elected officials,” Dennis said. “We haven’t developed a proposal to bring to the board.”

The parks’ closure has loomed since June 7 when Measure D was defeated by Wildomar voters. The ballot initiative had asked city property owners to incur a $28 annual special assessment to pay for the three city parks. Without funding, city officials have maintained there is no funding available for the parks.