The story about the SLO city Prado Road initiative (“Not in my sports field,” June 17) lacked accurate information. It stated Prado Road would extend “through a portion of the South Hills Open Space and alongside the Damon-Garcia Sports Fields.” Actually, the proposed four-lane, truck-route highway and a major new bridge would be within the boundaries of Damon-Garcia Sports Fields park, taking away about four and a half acres that were originally purchased for sports and recreation.

 The story claims, “City growth depends on whether Prado Road becomes the major link between the east and west sections of the municipality.” That’s opinion, not fact. The current circulation plan would actually be enhanced by eliminating the proposed short 0.4-mile branch of Prado Road through the sports fields and open space. Traffic would flow easily through the southern alignment of Prado Road connecting to Tank Farm Road at Santa Fe. Esteemed civil engineer Eugene Jud calculates that if the initiative passes, future east-west traffic-carrying capacity in southern SLO would be more than adequate.

Circa 1960, the city had plans for a highway connecting Foothill Boulevard to Madonna Road, passing through land now known as Laguna Lake Park. The road was later denied by a forward-thinking city council that wanted to preserve the valuable parkland and open space. The city grew and flourished, and a park was saved.

The Prado Road initiative will improve current traffic circulation problems, provide for citizens’ health and safety, preserve accessibility to the South Hills Open Space, and boost tourism and business.