California State Parks Awards $254.9 Million in Grants to Create New Parks Across the State
Contact: Newsroom@parks.ca.gov I (916) 654-7538
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks today announced $254.9 million in funding for 62 grants to 52 recipients under the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program funded by Proposition 68.
In 2018, California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), which directed $254.9 million to State Parks for competitive grants to create new parks and enhance recreational opportunities for all Californians. This is the state’s largest investment in grant funding history targeted for underserved communities. The bond also provides funds for aging infrastructure, amenities and improvements to parks that will help attract new and diverse visitors.
“We want to make parks accessible for all Californians so that families and friends can not only bond and connect with nature, but also celebrate their cultural differences,” said California State Parks Director Lisa Mangat. “Through these exciting grant projects, residents in 62 underserved communities will have close-to-home access to a vibrant park for their physical, social and environmental health.”
A few projects are highlighted below with the full list available online at parks.ca.gov/sppr3
Alameda County
Trust for Public Land – Ashland Common New Park: $7,259,000
Create the new Ashland Common Park in the unincorporated Alameda County area known as Ashland between Hayward and San Leandro. Construct an amphitheater with lighting and stage, plaza with picnic tables and open space area with lighting, water recreation feature, outdoor fitness area with lighting, playground with lighting, walking path with lighting, shade structure and restroom/program kiosk building
Kings County
City of Corcoran – Corcoran Gateway New Park: $7,090,140
Create the new Corcoran Gateway Park. Construct five picnic pavilions/BBQ areas with lighting, multi-use athletic field/storm water basin with security cameras and lighting; jogging/walking loop with lighting, BMX/skateboard/scooter pump track with lighting, multi-age playground with shade structure and lighting, multi-age splash pad for water play with shade structure and lighting, five exercise fitness stations and a corn hole court, two restrooms with public art, and solar panels, accessible pathway with environmental paving and lighting, one maintenance/storage building, two park entrances with signage and lighting, and a parking lot with bioswale, landscaping, and lighting.
Lake County
City of Lakeport – Lakeport Lakefront New Park: $5,947,621
Create Lakefront Park in the City of Lakeport through the acquisition of 6.9 acres. Construct a new skate park, splash pad, basketball court, amphitheater, exercise circuit, five picnic areas with shade, concessions/restroom building, parking lot, public art with landscaping and lighting throughout the park. Renovate an existing boat ramp.
Los Angeles County
County of Los Angeles Parks – New Walnut Pocket Park: $4,322,842
Create the new Walnut Pocket Park in the unincorporated community of Walnut Park. Construct two new playgrounds with shade, exercise equipment, splash pad, walking path, outdoor performance stage, public art, picnic and BBQ area, landscaping, lighting, and a restroom/security building.
San Joaquin County
City of Stockton Community Services – McKinley Park Renovation: $8,500,000
Improve McKinley Park. Construct new ballfield in the northwest corner of park, two futsal courts, two picnic shelters on E. 8th St side and adjacent to play area, perimeter path with lighting and decomposed granite jogging path with lighting, restroom and storage building. Renovate existing pool and bathhouse, renovate one and a half existing basketball courts to make two basketball courts, renovate two existing sports fields to be multi-purpose/soccer fields, renovate existing paths with lighting, renovate one existing parking lot and construct new additional parking spaces, and renovate existing landscaping throughout the park.
The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program “Round Three” was the most competitive grant program in State Park’s nearly 50-year history of grant administration. In August 2019, State Park’s Office of Grants and Local Services Competitive Review Team received a total of 478 project applications, requesting $2.3 billion. The amount requested greatly exceeded the $254.9 million available in this round, highlighting the statewide need for local parks. After a detailed, multilevel six-month review process, the grant recipients were selected.
Before and after photos of parks created through rounds one and two under the Prop 84 Statewide Park Program, prior to Prop 68 funding. Photos 1 and 2: Albion Riverside Park in the City of Los Angeles received a $5 million grant to construct a new multipurpose athletic field, walking and bike paths, fitness zone and equipment, children’s play area and other recreational amenities. Photos 3 and 4: Mercado Park in the City of Perris received $3.49 million to construct a new performing arts amphitheater, outdoor seating area with fountain, volleyball and basketball courts, picnic structures and other amenities.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.