Hundreds help open Val Vista Park Hundreds help open Val Vista Park (May 07, 2004)

Pico says 'We did it right'

Hundreds turned out for opening day ceremonies at the city's new Val Vista Community Park last Saturday, a 24-acre park and recreation facility that was filled with families picnicking and enjoying new outdoor play equipment from the start.

"The first thing I saw when I came over here this morning was a large number of families pushing strollers with babies and lots of little kids running around laughing and having fun," Mayor Tom Pico said at the park's dedication.

"As an elected official, there is probably nothing as important and that has more meaning than to be part of the effort to create public spaces where people can gather with their neighbors and have fun," he added. "I think you'll agree that with this park here today the city of Pleasanton did it again, and we did it right."

The $7 million park includes children's play apparatus and water-play areas at both ends, off Johnson Drive to the north and at the foot of Payne Road on the south. Also there are an in-line skating facility, a climbing wall and roller hockey rink, with pavilions for picnicking at several areas.

The new park has three tournament-size, all-weather soccer fields, which will open next fall when the turf is ready.

Jim Dibiase, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the park represents the culmination of four years of work by task forces, committees and his commission before the City Council gave its final approval and authorized the project. The Ballistic United Soccer Club contributed $500,000 in public donations for the park.

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