Some people might be surprised to find out that Sherman Oaks Castle Park, that great place for a miniature golf date, is actually a city owned and operated facility. In a time when the city is searching every corner for a buck or two to fill the depleting city coffers, the park is symbol of an idea past that should be duplicated.
Castle Park has four simple components--batting cages, a video arcade, food and three mini golf courses--that earns the city $3 million annually. And as times get tough for everyone, advertising is all so important. Back in 2007 high winds damaged the streetside illuminated sign forcing managers to temporarily put up a bland temporary one as they tried to get a new sign put up, but old city codes did not allow for the new sign's approval. A new ordinance is a couple years out, but the city needs to make a choice--update the code now or risk losing revenue.
The sign is needed because the park, errr, Castle, is set back from the street. "All you see is the parking lot," explained Bev Cox, the park's facilities manager, at last night's Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. The council quickly passed a motion a motion to send a letter to Councilwoman Wendy Greuel asking her to get the city to approve the new sign.
