“Parks Make Life Better,” is a motto, City officials in Menifee take to heart. Residents currently have more than two dozen parks to enjoy and more in development.  However, they are run by two separate entities and the situation is creating confusion and frustration in the community. 

Out of the 27 parks in Menifee, eight are owned and operated by the City’s Community Services Department. The remaining are owned and operated by the Valley-Wide Park and Recreation District.  Since its incorporation in 2008, Menifee has been steadily growing its independence. In 2013, the Community Services Department was created. Valley-Wide was established prior to City incorporation and the Department's creation. However, now that the City has created and grown the Department, the future of Menifee’s parks and recreation programming is expanding.  

 In July 2015, the City chose to not renew its contract with Valley-Wide for maintenance and operation of the City’s west side Community Services operations. The City fields frequent calls from residents confused over who maintains and operates which parks. 

Director of Community Services, Robert Lennox said many residents are often not aware Valley-Wide is a separate entity. Having an outside entity maintaining and operating some of the parks in the City can be confusing to residents.

“The City and residents could benefit by having local control over all parks in the future” said Lennox, “but the issue is a policy decision for the City Council to make.” 

Menifee residents who live within the boundaries of the Valley-Wide District pay close to $4-million annually in special tax assessments to various Valley-Wide Lighting and Landscape Maintenance District (LLMD) funds, to maintain parks and right-of-way landscaping on the eastside of the I-215 freeway.  

 “The eastside of Menifee accounts for just three-percent of the entire Valley-Wide district although it collects nearly 40% of the total district revenue from residents in these areas,” said Lennox. 

 If the City had local control of all parks in the City boundaries it could provide Menifee based youth sports leagues with priority field use. 

“Currently Menifee sports leagues can be sent to French Valley to play instead of playing in Menifee,” said Lennox. 

The City is reviewing nearly two dozen new park projects proposed by developers. Central Park which will be located at Town Square is set to open in late spring or early summer of 2016. This park will host an amphitheater and splash pad for kids. 

Any new applications for residential subdivision projects with park improvements on the east side of the City shall be annexed into the City’s special tax district, to be owned and operated by the City. 

Further discussion on City parks, how they will be maintained and by whom may be discussed at a future city council meeting in December.