October 27, 2025
To the City Council, City Manager, and Study Committee
On behalf of our membership and South Laguna neighborhood residents, South Laguna Civic Association (SLCA) writes today to encourage the Study Committee as it considers future facilities investments to do so with a deliberate focus on resident participation in the planning process.
Of note, we are aware that there is a discussion on future use and investments at Lang Park.
We are obviously passionate about the future of Lang, as it represents South Laguna’s only local community center, our original school site, and the largest green space in this area: all artifacts of investment prior to acquisition by the city in the 1980s. Our membership deeply cares about and has advocated for more investment and placement of city resources in South Laguna. Yet, as an organization representing South Laguna residents, we are reluctant to support intensification of more constructed improvements and loss of green space at Lang Park, since it is our only play field. Thus, the committee’s discussion of Lang presents an opportunity for thoughtful, strategic decisions that have generational impacts.
For example, as consideration of Lang investments proceeds, we would hope any decisions made take into account the community’s expressed desire to add the open lots at Catalina St. as a new park site for South Laguna; as well as the use of what will be the former Fire Station #4 once the new station is built, plans for use of land near the Hospital, and potential use of the St. Catherine’s site in the long term. All of these locations and how they work together to support both the city and the South Laguna neighborhood are key pieces in a broader experience that should be considered as a whole.
We ask the city, the council, and committee to use this opportunity to develop a strategic vision for how all this works together and to have an open and transparent process in soliciting resident feedback to help shape an excellent outcome.
Thanks so much,
Greg O'Loughlin - President