Parks

Regarding the plans to cut back trash bins, toilet facilities and fire-ring cleaning at state parks ["Parks Cutbacks," Need to Know, Nov.1]. It seems as if it's more cost-effective to clean up the mess left by these short-sighted cutbacks than to provide these necessities. Melinda Heinemann Torrance

"Dogs need to be free," said Florence Danieri fervently. "They need to run, they need to jump, they need to play." Danieri loves her dogs. In fact, Danieri loves pretty much all dogs. A lot. That's why she and Zelda, her golden retriever, were willing to drive all the way from Long Beach to a park in Pasadena on Saturday morning. There were dogs there that needed their support. About 200 dog owners--and even more poodles, pit bulls and boxers--turned out to rally for a leash-free dog park.

A parcel of land between Westlake Village and Malibu described as "environmentally priceless," which was deeded to the state to settle $1.2 million in taxes owed by the estate of the late film director Frank Capra, may be converted to parkland to prevent its sale for private use. The unusual transfer, which requires approval by the state Legislature, is designed to preserve the 160-acre parcel as the key link to completing the Backbone Trail through the Santa Monica Mountains.

A parcel of land between Westlake Village and Malibu, deeded to the state to settle $1.2 million in taxes owed by the estate of the late film director Frank Capra, may be converted to parkland to prevent its sale for private use. The unusual swap, which requires approval by the state Legislature, is designed to preserve the 160-acre parcel as the key link to completing the Backbone Trail through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Residents will receive $1,029 toward the development of Rush Park after turning in thousands of pounds of newsprint for recycling. The amount of newsprint collected in a May paper drive exceeded all expectations, said Jim Alexander, who sits on the board of directors of the Rossmoor Community Services District.

The City Council has approved a final design for the Hermosa Beach Skate Park, which includes a quarter-pipe ramp, railings, stairs and pyramids of several heights. The 7,700-square-foot park will be built next to the Hermosa Beach Community Center with similar obstacles to those that skateboarders find on the street. Construction of the $70,000 park, which was designed with the help of hundreds of skateboarders who participated in workshops, is scheduled to be completed by the fall.

Hoping to answer the concerns of environmentalists and nearby residents, representatives of the Boy Scouts of America tonight will present plans for a scout facility at O'Neill Regional Park. The scout group wants to build a outdoor training center for scouts and adult leaders on four acres of the 3,100-acre park. The project would include administrative offices and a swimming pool, along with archery and BB-gun ranges. Local environmentalists are concerned about development in a public park.

The city is hoping to get a $4.5-million boost from the federal government on Monday that could finally pave the way for a 4-mile recreational beach trail running parallel to the railroad tracks. The Orange County Transportation Authority, which has made the city's beach trail its top priority, will vote on whether to grant the city $400,000 for fiscal year 1998-99, followed by an additional $4.1 million for 1999-2000 for the project.