In 1969 I campaigned with the promise to build a park in each section of Milan.
After I was elected Milan last the park on the west side of the village when the freeway was constructed. It was the only ball field in Milan. I contacted Phillips Uranium corporation and was granted use of the ball field down Ralph Card Rd. I negotiated a deal with Elkins Land Co. for a parcel of land on Berryhill Road to build a park.
Mayor Milan and I negotiated a deal to purchase a block of land below Sky Top where Kearns Field now is located. Mayor Milan negotiated a deal to purchase land across from Milan School for residents west of old 66.
I was able to fulfill my campaign promise to have recreation facilities in all three additions of Milan. (Stewart Bros Drilling bought uniform for boys’ team, I acquired uniforms for both boys & girls’ baseball.)
In my first year, I approached Warren Mathers from Grants schools and was granted use of Milan School gym for kids’ basketball. I approached Milan Country Club and was granted use of their swimming pool for two years.
On my second two years as trustee, I supported Jessie Barella and Eddie Corley who gave me much needed support for the parks. I can’t recall all the coaches but Eddie Corley, Louie Castillo, Shada Gallegos, and Kenny Gallegos were the first coaches.
I give my utmost gratitude to the village employees and the governing body who stepped up to the plate and built a gym, swimming pool, and soccer field.
Mayor Felix Gonzales and his brother coached for years; Mayor Felix Gonzales was instrumental in building the soccer field.
I give a special praise to Bill McElroy and his crew who have taken the parks to a whole new level. Also, Jack Moleras. The parks are well maintained by Bill and Crew who built shelters for groups to eat and visit in the shade. Bill passed away last year. I also give a special praise also to Monica Sandoval at parks and rec for doing a good job scheduling and making all facilities a valuable job and to Wanda Meridan who manages the swimming pool. There is no one that could have done as much for Milan as the founder and longtime mayor Salvador Milan.
Eddie Corley, Jessie Barella’s grandson Shada Gallegos, Mayor Gonzales, and his brother. I give a lot of credit to past trustees who supported recreations & the parks. As I drive through Milan I see every department with pickups the fire department with new pickups, new police cars, when I was trustee we had one policeman and had a part time fire chief Wes Copeland, a skeleton crew for street, Art Gomez, Mel Vigil. Water and sewer departments, Garbage, we now have staff at swimming pool (Wanda has done a good job) and recreation department. Monica Sandoval the village hall is fully staffed.
Busses to transport people who need rides. A computer lab, all three parks have had a complete makeover thanks to the Village Hall employees, Mayor, and trustees-village workers, project manager, Denise Baca assistant project manager Jack moleras. What a change.