Los Osos is lobbying SLO County supervisors to buy former school. Here’s why
The unincorporated community of Los Osos is lobbying the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors to act to secure the former Sunnyside school property as a potential site for a number of community uses.
The former school, across from Los Osos Community Park on Los Osos Valley Road, is owned by the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which has indicated a willingness to sell. The Board of Supervisors, after hearing from several community groups, is expected to consider purchase of the property at the end of this month.
A letter sent recently to the board from chair of the Los Osos Community Advisory Council (LOCAC) Trish Bartel and the entire council, said that “LOCAC has an enormous interest in utilizing this site for park and recreation activities in Los Osos/Baywood. As you are aware Los Osos/Baywood has the smallest percentage of parks in SLO County per population. The residents of Los Osos/Baywood paid over $26 million in taxes in 2022/2023. We are asking that a portion of those dollars be used to purchase the school site for Los Osos/Baywood active recreational needs.”
Ideas for the Sunnyside school site that have surfaced include:
- Dog park
- Pickleball courts
- Community gardens (non-potable recycled water available on site)
- Inclusive playground
- Sport fields
- Community events in the auditorium (site is connected to the sewer)
In addition, Sunnyside school could be home to some county government functions. Some potential ideas are:
- Moving sheriff operations from 10th Street
- County Health
- Library alternative site
- Cal Fire
Community activist Linde Owen comments that ”Sunnyside is the best expansion of community parks and activities that will never be available later. Past vision from a couple of us was called Sunnyside Up! So many possibilities, positive places for community involvement.”
Almost 10 years ago, the Los Osos Community Services District took up the idea, noting that the town of 14,000 is woefully short on park space. Today, the notion to use the 5-acre space continues to bubble.
CSD General Manager Ron Munds adds that “this issue is still on the front burner today.”
Locals are calling for a community forum to discuss alternative plans once the supervisors make up their mind.