Lodi Parks Commission talks about how to use $8.5M funding

The Lodi Parks Commission met Tuesday evening to discuss parks that would be eligible for grant funding, after money has become available with the passage of Proposition 68.

The $4 billion bond measure that passed in June of this year was created to fund various parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and supply, and flood protection projects.

The allotted funding available for local parks was set at $8.5 million. All grants would need to fit a criteria of need in order to receive funding.

“Due to the stipulation of the grant, we would need to focus on parks in low-income communities and parks with acreage that would allow for expansion,” said Jeff Hood, director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

The commission has narrowed down the list of eligible parks to Blakely Park, Legion Park, Hale Park, Hutchins Street Square and Van Buskirk Park.

The rehabilitation of Van Buskirk Park is high on the list, Hood said. The park itself is not large, but does require some attention.

“If we don’t end up receiving a state grant, we are still planning to apply for (a Community Development Block Grant) to facilitate updates to the park,” Hood said.

Blakely Park also held plenty of interest for the commission due to its aquatic center and vast space. The park has already received grant funds of $882,340, which was used to construct a natural turf soccer field, renovate the baseball diamonds, softball diamonds and irrigation system, and additional improvements throughout the park.

The prospect of a new grant could allow the commission to research expanding Blakely’s aquatic facility, and updating existing amenities such as the showers and lockers near the pool.

“We are currently looking into adding a water slide or wading pool to Blakely, if we are able to expand on the park,” Hood said. “But the prospect of $8.5 million is a lot, it offers us the opportunity to pursue myriad options.”

Hood hinted that the commission is looking into the feasibility of developing an indoor park for students to host athletic tournaments and sports clinics.

“Usually we have to rent space at the Grape Festival Grounds, and to have funds to construct a new sports complex would be amazing,” Hood said. “It’s something we have discussed but never anticipated due to funding.”

The grants that the state is offering would also pay for acquiring provisional permits, which is a rarity. Usually, the city is responsible for financing any ordinances or permits that are needed.

Under the scope of the state grant the communities participation is crucial to selecting a project for the Parks Commission to move forward with the grant application process.

“With this specific grant, community input is crucial to us receiving the grant, so we will be hosting meetings — even have meetings at some of the parks — as well as look surveys that we have offered the community to get a strong idea of what their preference is,” Hood said.

He is confident that Lodi stands a good chance at receiving a portion of funding, since they have presented highly competitive grant proposals in the past that have been accepted.