Presidents Day Picnic at Cherryland Park

After nearly a week of rain, Cherryland Park was the sunny scene of a large-scale picnic that drew nearly 50 parents and children on Presidents Day.

The community potluck was sponsored by Padres Unidos, a newly formed group of Spanish-speaking parents who have joined the efforts of the Ashland-Cherryland Violence Prevention Collaborative (ACVPC).

The event was among the group's initial actions in its mission to take back  public parks that have become havens for drug use and gang activity, working to reestablish the parks as safe play areas.

According to Padres Unidos organizer and resident Coco Ramirez, the conditions at Cherryland Park in the afternoons are so bad she feels forced to drive her children the very short distance from her home to the park rather then walk.

“Around six or seven, we can't walk,” she said.

So far, the parents have identified Cherrlyand Park, Meek Park and Sunset Park as their primary targets. The ACVPC's next meeting will be Feb. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.  at the Ashland Community Center.