Rancho Murieta Youth Enrichment Advocacy

Tim Mehren (River Valley Times) – Rancho Murieta boasts quality facilities for golf and tennis enthusiasts. Now, if a group of volunteer advocates has its way, the younger generation may soon have a prime outdoor skating facility to call its own.

The Rancho Murieta Youth Enrichment Advocacy has announced it has received approval from the Rancho Murieta Association to construct the facility on the east side of Stonehouse Park, across from the basketball courts, an area scheduled for an extensive renovation.

Now the task is to raise funds and tap other resources necessary to bring the concept to reality, and YEA is setting out to do just that. “We have a number of ideas to raise money for the skate park,” said Wendy Mazzoni of YEA. “We’re planning a carwash on Sunday, August 17, at the Rancho Murieta Association parking lot, and we’re scheduling a lot more.” Mazzoni noted that this is the first project to be totally funded by the Rancho Murieta community. “That’s something everyone here can take pride in,” she said.

Included in upcoming activities are dances and barbecues on September 12 and October 17, a bingo/casino night, a pasta feed and other activities and events. “We need to raise around $350,000,” Mazzoni said. “That takes enthusiasm and hard work, but we’re gaining momentum. We’re looking for volunteers and suggestions for fundraising events, and people who are interested in helping can call 354-1076.” YEA’s mission, Mazzoni said, is to “bring adults and youth together to plan and implement projects and programs for and on behalf of the community that will enrich the lives of Rancho Murieta youth.”

Mazzoni added that YEA has three basic needs to move forward with the construction of the skate park: “We need cash, we need volunteers for all kinds of duties and we need construction materials. We put that together, we’re home free.”