At a time when land conservancies are forming all over the San Gabriel Valley, the city of Pasadena has opted to lease 3.4 acres of parkland for a measly $1 per year for 50 years to a private organization which will own and run a children's museum.

This museum will be built, one assumes, at no small cost. Why can't they afford to purchase or lease land elsewhere? This is a gross injustice for current council members to take parkland and practically give it away with no vote by the public, whose taxes bought and maintain all city property. We support the Arroyo Seco Foundation's decision to take the matter to court.

Monrovia's citizens recently voted to purchase land in private hands. They, like most intelligent people, know that natural open areas are desirable as they enhance property values and give recreation and respite to an ever-increasing population. Once this land in Brookside Park is built on, it is gone forever and future council members will be unable to undo the deed.

EDWARD AND BEATRICE SIMPSON
SOUTH PASADENA