Lodi parks could benefit from state bond measure

Lodi and other California cities would receive at least $200,000 for parks and would be eligible for a variety of grants to fund water and parks projects if a bond measure on the June 2018 ballot passes.

Lodi could benefit significantly, according to Lodi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Jeff Hood.

“It’s a great response for the legislature and the governor recognizing the need throughout the state and taking a step toward alleviating some of the back log of needs in state parks as well as municipal parks and other recreational areas,” Hood said.

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal, and Outdoor Access Act of 2018 would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $4 billion to finance projects around the state.

“It’s a fairly comprehensive bond,” Hood said. “It’s not just for parks ... it’s also for water and outdoor access.”

In addition to the per-capita allocations, there would be an additional $15 million in grants available for jurisdictions with a population of 200,000 people or less, Hood said. Another $30 million would be marked for competitive grants to create, expand and restore parks and $40 million in grants available for agencies that have approved local tax measures. More than $700 million would also be available for safe neighborhood parks.

Hood said the two main priorities in his department are improving the infrastructure at Lodi Lake and replacing aging playgrounds.

“We have about a $40 million back load of deferred and neglected maintenance repairs, upgrades and replacement projects, so everything helps,” Hood said.

The city wouldn’t decide what it would use the potential funding for unless the bond passes, Hood said.

“It’s been a long time since the state put a parks measure on the ballot,” Hood said. “It would be of some help. It doesn’t solve our problems, but it might solve one or two of them.”

According to Hood, parks and rec staffing levels have dropped back to where they were in 1970. However, the city only had half the number of parks at that time than it does today and the number continues to grow with the new developments coming to the area. The hope is that those developments will pay for the continued maintenance of those new parks. There is no dedicated funding stream to maintain and replace park infrastructure as it ages, Hood said.