Mazzoni added, “This is not just about a skate park. We are hoping that we, the Murietan people, will see that we need to make happen those things that need to happen, whether it’s a skate park or a community pool or whatever.” Mazzoni said that the park, which will be for skateboarders and inline skaters, will be 10,000 square feet and located at the north end of Stonehouse Park. Mazzoni said that YEA started about 18 months ago and has raised $140,000 towards the $350,000 needed for the skate park.

“We’ve had some great support,” Mazzoni continued. “KIWANIS donated $19,000 towards architectural fees. The Optimist Club gave $500 for architectural fees, along with a pledge to donate an additional $500 at each of our fund raising events.”  Mazzoni added, “Chris Bobo from Bobo Construction Inc has volunteered to do the construction at no cost and the Rancho Murieta Rotary Club will help us with our future fund raisers.”

Some 25 volunteers worked the car wash in 90-minute shifts. It was the scene of some selfless work. “We had some large donations from Rancho Murieta residents, including Wilbur Haines and Marcia and Gary Reimers, plus many other family donations,” Mazzoni said. “I was incredibly pleased with how well the skate park idea has been received by the community. No one paid just $5.00 for a car wash. Everyone paid from $20.00 and up.”

Rancho Murieta resident John Holm was happy to help wash cars and golf carts. “I think back on all the people who were there to help me when I grew up, and now I want to give back. Kids really need something,” Holm said.  Fellow-volunteer Marcia Rentschler bubbled with similar sentiments. “The skate park is a good addition to the community. It’s a good place for our kids to go and keep busy. You know what they say about idle hands,” Rentschler said.

RMYEA plans to hold twice-monthly fund raisers. “Dancing Under the Stars,” a cruise to Mexico, a family movie night and a haunted mansion at Halloween are all in the works. About their upcoming needs, Mazzoni said, “We continue to (need) help in three areas: volunteers to work our events, construction materials, and corporate sponsors.”

According to Mazzoni the skate park has already been approved by RMA and has been designed for beginning- and intermediate-level skaters in order to reduce its appeal to outsider skaters. Helmets and pads will be required. For more information on RMYEA, go to www.rmyea.org or contact Wendy Mazzoni at 354-1076.

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.”

A second car wash takes place Aug. 17. Dancing under the Stars and Family B-B-Q events will be held Sept. 12 and Oct. 17. Dates for future events that include a dinner, haunted house, bingo/casino night, pasta feed and a cruise to Mexico will be announced.  The volunteer group’s goal is to raise $350,000 to construct the 10,000-square-foot skateboard park. To date, $140,000 in donations has been received.

[ Read the rest of the story on RanchoMurieta.com ]

[ Read the rest of the story on RanchoMurieta.com ]

Mark Herbert, treasurer of the non-profit Rancho Murieta Youth Enrichment Advocacy presented an overview of the 39-page proposal for a park that was presented to the board in closed session last month.

[ Read the rest of the story on RanchoMurieta.com ]