Los Banos parks and rec continues to stay busy
Much of what we do in parks and recreation has been put on pause and due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. We cannot predict when we will be re-opening all of the great offerings in our community.
Nevertheless, we can take this time to ensure a bright future for Los Banos’ parks. This fall Los Banos Parks and Recreation will be providing a series of opportunities to participate in building our community.
After a highly successful Parks Master Plan meeting last January, we are going virtual for our community meeting #2. Our Parks Master Plan will be crucial in planning and prioritizing future park projects in Los Banos.
Some of these projects include Los Banos’ first dog park, which will be constructed at AG Sports Complex (700 N. Mercey Springs Rd.) this fall. The dog park will include a small dog and mixed dog area and will be opened as COVID-19 allows.
We will be hosting a virtual community meeting to discuss the Master Plan on September 10th at 5:00pm. We will also be opening a community survey from Aug. 17 to Sept. 14 that will be available on our Facebook page and on the City website, LosBanos.Org.
We will also be hosting a virtual community meeting on Sept. 29th at 5 p.m. to gather your input on a proposed splash pad to be installed in one of our Community’s parks.
We are also excited to announce that we will be pursuing the Statewide Park Program (SPP) grant for the Pacheco Park Revitalization project through California State Parks and Prop 68.
The SPP grants provides a wonderful opportunity across California to develop and renovate parks. A total of $395 million is available through Prop 68 for this year’s round, an increase of over $140 million from 2019’s available funding.
Pacheco Park is at the heart of our community and we hope this grant will provide a landmark park for the entire community to enjoy. We will be holding a virtual public meeting to discuss the grant on Oct. 15 at 5 p.m.
It was a delight to be announced recently as an award winner for the CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Grant.
This grant will provide the City of Los Banos 100 trees to plant at five parks throughout the City and will provide funding for the City of Los Banos’ first Urban Forest Management Plan. This plan will provide critical planning and analysis for the future of trees in our community over the next 50 years.
This year has put a pause on so much of what we do in parks and recreation, and we cannot wait to get back to offering our amazing programs and enjoying our parks to their fullest. However, it has also given us the opportunity to reflect and plan for the future of our community.