Wildomar Elementary Students Rally For Local Parks

Wildomar schoolchildren are tapping their piggybanks for local parks, and the money raised has now surpassed $4,000.

Friday, a group of Wildomar Elementary School fourth-graders presented Wildomar Mayor Marsha Swanson with a check for $1,113.50.

The money raised was part of a three-week long campaign called “Cool Coins for Parks” coordinated by PTA members and the students, according to Chris Beatty, a PTA member and Wildomar Elementary campus supervisor.

The funds raised came from students, Beatty said.

“There wasn’t an incentive,” she explained, adding that students were told they should only contribute if they wanted to do it.

“They did this for the parks,” Beatty continued. “It was important to them.”

The money raised by Wildomar Elementary is in addition to $1,320 raised earlier this year by Donald Graham Elementary students, and $1,741.97 raised by students from Sycamore Academy of Science and Cultural Arts.

All three schools are located in Wildomar.

Wildomar’s three existing parks may be on the chopping block, and funding for the parks currently rests in the hands of Wildomar voters.

If passed on June 7, will allow formation of a Community Facilities District and an annual base tax of $28 imposed on Wildomar property owners to pay for maintenance of the city’s three existing parks.

If the measure doesn’t pass, the parks could close due to lack of funding.

Fundraisers and public awareness campaigns have been held around the city over the last several months for the parks.