Recreation

Letter to the Editor, Five Cities Times Press Recorder, January 9, 2008:

The Oceano Beach and Dunes can provide wonderful family recreation. The SVRA is a state park but the use promoted is vehicular. Campers at the SVRA have to mark their undesignated campsites with yellow police tape to protect their children from accidents with unrestrained vehicle users.

There are only 4 or 5 rangers on duty during peak SVRA use times, to regulate a temporary city of over 50,000 people. Illegal fireworks, drinking, drug use, and violence occur without restraint.

Adults and children in gasoline powered vehicles tear up the sand, pollute the air, and drive illegally in the creek and on the beach, destroying habitat for flora and fauna with complete disregard for the welfare of others.

The Oceano Beach and Dunes is a richly diversified habitat for many species of plants and animals with a long history including Native Americans and Dunites.

Family Recreation in the SVRA fosters disregard for the welfare of nature and of humanity. Is this the purpose of the California State Department of Parks and Recreation? Not according to their own literature. Is this what we want to teach our children, by promoting use of the SVRA as "family recreation?"

Linda Rollison