Residents interested in voicing their ideas on how to improve Shepherd Canyon Park should attend the first of two workshops tomorrow. The first gathering will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Montera Middle School, 5555 Ascot Drive. The second workshop will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8 at the same location.

The aim of the workshops -- sponsored by City Councilwoman Jean Quan, District 4, and the Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association -- is to get input from residents on the park and to develop a plan of action for the area's open green space.

The park includes 34 acres of park land and a nature preserve, set aside by the city in 1975. Most of the area, 22 acres, is wooded, and the park features several open meadows, a soccer field and a railroad trail on the west side of Shepherd Canyon Road. It is located slightly east of Montclair, along Shepherd Canyon Road.

Mike Petouhoff , president of the Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association, said many people who drive by up and down Shepherd Canyon Road are unaware of the 34 acres of dedicated park land.

Something else many residents may be unaware of is Shepherd Creek, which runs through the park, underground in some areas. "We all know of the soccer field, but what about the rest of the open space?" Petouhoff asked.

The Saturday workshop will provide residents with information about these issues. Also, participants will be asked to discuss what they value about the park now, changes they would like to see and their long-term vision for the park.

Other issues on the agenda are how to provide more active park space for recreation, improving the landscape, restoring the creek and native vegetation, creating trail connections, and building more efficient access to the park for vehicles.

The Oct. 8 workshop will focus on identifying and prioritizing ways to implement residents' vision for the park, following up on the Sept. 6 forum.

"The planning process will help us to come together as a neighborhood and create a vision for the park -- and a strategy," Petouhoff said. "

Funding for park improvements is currently limited. But local organizers say a community-based plan is critical for Quan, city staff, the Shepherd Canyon group and neighbors to determine how to allocate funds.