San Lorenzo Village Homes Association: Installation of New Board Members; Update on Remaster Planning for Local Parks

The San Lorenzo Village Homes Association (SLVHA) held its first annual "Meet and Greet" member meeting for 2012.

Village residents got to know the newest board members, Catherine Kavasch and Steve Kirk, over sweet Valentine's Day treats and refreshments. They won the SLVHA's recent mail-in election.

The two were installed during one of three meetings the SLVHA Board of Directors held on Feb. 16.

Kavasch and Kirk fill the seats of current board member Wulf Bieschke and the vacancy left by Kathy Martins after she stepped in as temporary SLVHA administrator. Former administrator Nancy Van Huffle retired sooner than expected due to health problems.

Bieschke term ended that evening after serving on the board this past year. He was unable to attend the meeting due to medical reasons.

After welcoming the new board members to take their seats, nominations began for a board reorganization.

However, not much reorganization took place — the current officers were reappointed to the positions they already held. The board as a whole voted unanimously for each individual member to keep their position.

Art Wydler will continue as the board's president, Diane Wydler will remain as vice president and Margaret Wright will keep her position as treasurer and secretary.

Remaster Planning for San Lorenzo's Community Center Park

Among the most talked-about items on the meeting's agenda was the remaster planning Hayward Areas Recreation and Park District's (HARD) Board of Directors recently voted on for San Lorenzo Community Center Park and Hayward's Kennedy Park.

HARD's park superintendent Larry Lepore said they have advertised among various architects and are in the process of selecting one. He said the decision of what gets prioritized in the remaster planning of the 31-acre San Lorenzo park depends on community input and the funding.

Several community meetings will be held between HARD board of directors, the architect and interested community members in the following months.

Each park is expected to cost around $100,000 and will be funded through the HARD's reserves and "park-in-lieu" dedication fees. These fees are collected by the county and developers and can be requested by HARD as projects arise.

Lepore said there is currently $145,000 in the fund today, but $70,000 to $100,000 is expected to be used for the demolition of a former church on Via Toledo and Hacienda Avenue.

HARD plans on turning the two-acre parcel into a park, but the disrict's declining budget has extended the process longer than expected. Lepore announced that HARD is currently working on selecting a bid for the building's demolition.

The remaining money and what is collected afterwards will be used on the remaster planning of the two parks.

According to Lepore, a master plan is needed as a roadway to follow the redevelopment of the park.

"[It will tell us] this is what our goals are, this is what we're reaching for," he said.

Important Dates Mentioned During the Meeting:

• Feb. 28: San Lorenzo's Relay for Life Kickoff Party — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the SLVHA hall.
• April 21: Earth Day — to be held throughout San Lorenzo
  
• April 28: Day of Caring — to be held at the San Lorenzo Community Center Park)
• May 19: Safety Fair — held in partnership with District 3 Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan
• Aug. 28: San Lorenzo's first Relay For Life

Patch will provide details regarding these events as more information is made available.