I agree with all of your observations on the issue of 'Forgotten River Park' and more disturbing is the possible relationship of those initiating the task force and Mr. Kashian himself. Mr. Kashian has always had 'free riegn' with regard to development in this city - maybe this task force is another attempt by Mr. Kashian and his 'team' of manipulating city hall and the system. Good work and the best of luck to your continued endeavors.

Nora,can you name some task forces that became corrupt or of no use? Just wondering if you have any specifics.

Wait a minute, so River Park sets some sort of standard as to how teens can create a healthier environment?

Maybe finding other positive ways to occupy time would be better then hanging out at River Park (seems that is what most teens do at River Park).

Maybe go to Fresno Councel meetings and speak your mind, portions of meetings are open to the public.

Volunteer with an organization that interests you.

Maybe a big brother big sister program.

Let's see, Rich....

City Council meetings are held during the day, when teens are supposed to be in school. I don't think Fresno Unified would consider this an excused absence.

Teens are considered "little" in the Big Brother/Big Sister programs. So, how could they volunteer?

There used to be lots of things for teens to do in Fresno, but budgets (diverted to pay for overblown police agencies) and liability issues have derailed the majority of activities.

Dear Rich - where have you been? If you read The Bee or watch the news closely you will find a high percentage of the Valley's teen participating in many community events as volunteers.

This past spring saw many teens honored at Chuckchansi Park for volunteering over 500,000 hours of community service. A figure that is reflective of a period of a single year. But, more importantly, teenagers are teenagers and do need to have a healthy and safe place where they can meet, mingle and just be themselves.

The issues surrounding the curfew at River Park came about because this was not the vision Lance Kashian had in mind when creating this 'little bit' of Orange County right here in Fresno.

Fresno has great teenagers who will mature to be great adults who will be productive citizens of this city and valley - cut them some slack and be supportive of all of their endeavors - are you listening Mr. Perea and Mr. Kashian?

I'm not so sure River Park was designed to meet the needs of hundreds of teens to "meet, mingle and be themselves".

The "many" of the ones who revieved the awards at Chuckchansi Park get the credit for hanging out at River Park?

I was talking to a person who is active in the community.

He said this is something that can be looked at as a "good problem".

Investing in some sort of way to accommodate the teens at River Park.

A place at River Park where teens can be entertained for a nominal fee such as a place to mingle, dancing area, order refreshments,
etc...

I believe River Park can beeifit and the kids will too.

It must be said: "WHO THE HELL CARES?" The teens so worked up over not being able to do nothing at River Park need to stop and listen to how ridiculous they sound. Never have so few complained so loudly over so little.

As a former teen, I remember thinking, "there's not much to do in Fresno." However, my friends and I didn't write letters to The Bee and harass a landlord over our problem.

Yes, it is your problem, as I couldn't find the right for you to congregate at River Park in the U.S. Constitution or even the Bible. There is nothing so pitiful as the egocentric, angst-driven teenager with nothing to worry about except where to go and stand around and try to look cool.

I can’t see that with an undeclared war (which might necessitate a draft someday), the largest deficits in U.S. history (which you little ones will inherit) and a deteriorating environment, River Park would be such a source of your (wasted) energy.

By the way, even most of us “adults” know, River Park sucks anyway. Go play somewhere else.

Frankly, the vaunted Task Force is a farce. It's dominated by adults and led by Henry T. Perea, who's expected to announce for Mayor in the near future. Can we say political stunt?

Jerry Duncan made it clear during a council meeting some weeks ago that he viewed this as a private property rights issue and he didn't want city staff getting involved in any fashion. He specifically said (according to the council minutes) that he didn't want the city involved with any task force. Never mind that the city cops would end up stuck with the kids whose parents declined to come pick them up.

Having been in the business involving maintenance of landscaping of major malls and strip malls in southern CA I offer these observations.Parents in the morning who drop there kids off at the strip mall near the school with a $5 bill for starbucks or the bagel shop(lines out the door.The twice daily migration of students passing through the centers on their way to and from school(repetitive property damage and bad behavior).Kids hanging around after school waiting for their ride or who knows what(more property damage and bad behavior).It was never ending and a lot of these centers are used by parents asa place to dump their kids or have them wait till it's convenient to pick them up.The only time things improved on one job was when we had Willy,a no nonsense security guard.He lasted one month before the parents complained to management that their chidren felt intimidated and they threatened to sue.I hope the folks at RiverPark grow a spine and tell the babies and their parents to stuff it.