Lei Ann Varletta Larson is not raising a stink per se over aging crushed tires used as the base for the Shasta Park playground equipment.

She is, however, concerned about children’s safety.

Larson appeared at Tuesday’s Manteca City Council meeting urging elected leaders to look into air quality issues connected with the surface created from crushed tires known as “tire bark” put in place 17 years ago at the playground next door to Shasta School.

Larson said on a recent visit there with family their 3 year-old son started complaining of headaches.

She made inquiries of other families that used the playground and some parents reported similar issues.

While making it clear “ I’m not claiming Shasta Park is toxic,” Larson asked the council to have the air quality tested on a hot day at the distance above the ground where children would breathe.

Larson is running against incumbent Dave Breitenbucher to represent District 3 on the City Council in the Nov. 3 election. Shasta Park is within the district.

This is Larson’s second municipal campaign.

She finished second in the mayor’s race in 2022 losing to Gary Singh while edging out Ben Cantu.

City Manager Toni Lundgren, under her comment section of the meeting, noted Director of Parks, Recreation and Transit Brandy Clark talked with Larson during a break following citizens comments.

Lundgren said Clark noted that Shasta Park is already on the city’s list of older parks for potential upgrades.

Most parks in Manteca up until 25 years had nothing but dirt under playground equipment.

The city switched to bark and tire bark.

A number of new neighborhood parks have rubberized surfaces.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com