‘Tone deaf.’ Call for volunteers to clean park in fire zone faces pushback in Altadena

A screen door is all that is left of a burned home across the street from Loma Alta Park, which is in the middle of the burn zone from the Eaton fire. “With your help, Loma Alta Park will be the first public park to re-open for the Altadena Community after the devastating Eaton Fire,” the poster reads. And another: “Hey kids, let’s take a break from all this trauma and drive by the old neighborhood to plant some trees.” Unscathed tennis courts at Loma Alta Park are a stark contrast to adjacent burned homes from the Eaton fire in Altadena. “But, I’ve also heard a lot of calls for re-establishing community services, so I’m supporting this project.” On Barger’s Facebook page, residents said they were taken aback by the idea of letting children play at Loma Alta Park, which is surrounded by burned homes and lots that, as of this week, had not been cleared of debris. “But that money was donated to the fire victims.” Greg Gill, a semi-retired public relations professional and Altadena resident, said the county’s call for volunteers at the park was short on safety details and “touched off a lot of raw nerves.” “I am sure there has been a modicum of due diligence done by the county — but say it to us at least,” he said.