[SJAAboard] Report to the Board: Potential Problems with use of Vasona/Oak Meadow Parks

[Robert Armstrong]

SJJA Board,
I met with Ranger  at Santa Clara County Parks administration last week.
The County divides parks into day-time use only and Camp site-overnight Parks.
Day time use parks close and are padlocked at sunset. Use of the park "after hours is cumbersome. A "special events" application has to be filed with an upfront payment of $75 to $150 fee for the event. This has to be done 1 -3 months in advance. Also the event organizers have to pay $75/hr  (minimum 2 hrs) for the Ranger to be there( he has to be there), some this may come out of the application fee, but, there are if's and  or but's on this.  If event is canceled, no return of fee, in most instances. They are not open to anyone making a "trial run" just to test the viewing.
    Interestingly, this ranger, who is supposed to be the event coordinator, knows nothing about our Coyote Lake star parties, but he knows about the Grant Park events. I decided not to elaborate on our Coyote Park events.
I got an impression of significant rigidity in the system. 

Robert Armstrong