By Gina Yarbrough
FALLBROOK–Public officials gathered last December to celebrate the grand opening of a new day-use park in Fallbrook.
Clemmens Lane Park, which sits on .57 acres in the middle of a neighborhood, features a junior and tot lot playground, a sand volleyball court and soccer field, and a picnic plaza with a pavilion for entertainment.
To celebrate the new park, County Supervisor Bill Horn, staff of the Department of Parks and Recreation and local residents gathered at the park for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The $80,000 project came from federal grants and Park Land Development Ordinance Funds, which are locally-collected developer fees.
“The park fees that we get are matched with a federal grants,” said Supervisor Horn. “We were just lucky to find this half-acre park to purchase, and the park sits between apartments and other home parks, and it’s great for the kids.”
Nora Escobar of Fallbrook brought her daughter Kianna to play in the new park. “It’s closer to my house,” she said. “It looks very nice.” Escobar says she plans to frequent the park probably twice a week.
Aquileo Bolanos watched as his two children Valerie and Mozart played in the park. Bolanos, like many parents, were delighted that a new park finally opened in their neighborhood. “My kids will come to the park four times a week,” said Bolanos of Fallbrook. “I like it, it’s a nice park.”
In 2005, Fallbrook residents requested a new park, along with a list of park amenities. In April 2007, the County Board of Supervisors authorized the purchase of the vacant site for development.
