The South Tahoe Alliance for Recreation and the law firm of Rollston, Henderson, Rasmussen and Crabb were recognized recently for their high level of performance in connection with the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Master Plan.

Members of STAR, the committee that is leading the implementation of the Master Plan, received an Outstanding Planning Merit Award from the California Chapter of the American Planning Association. Also receiving an identical award was the South Lake Tahoe law firm, which is represented by STAR consultant Dennis Crabb – one of the chief architects and driving forces behind the committee.

“It’s a neat thing; it’s nice to be recognized,” said Crabb, at the conclusion of the STAR committee’s regular planning meeting on Thursday at Valhalla. “There’s a lot of work ahead, but we’re happy with the progress we have made. We have a strong group of individuals associated with STAR, which is the reason I signed on.”

Among the items discussed at Thursday’s meeting was the concept of a ballot initiative for a special June election, the purpose of which would be to obtain funds for two of the projects.

STAR recently scouted and staked out a 30-acre site within Tahoe Paradise Park, near Lake Baron, on which three athletic fields will be constructed. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency recently classified the property as high-capability land, which means the way has been cleared to build the ball fields.

STAR is also waiting for word on an appropriation bill which was presented to Congress by Rep. John Doolittle and Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The funds – $3 million – for cleanup and construction at the old Meyers Dump site near Pioneer Trail and Elks Club Drive, which would include four multi-use ball fields and other amenities.