‘A great win for our city.’ Livingston gets $7.3M for new rec center. Here’s what to expect
The City of Livingston scored a win this week with the award of a state grant just short of $7.4 million to fund a new recreation center, equipped with bells and whistles that community leaders say will boost local families’ health and happiness.
The city was awarded the sizable sum as part of the latest round of funding through California State Parks’ Proposition 68 Statewide Park Program.
The state announced on Wednesday that $548.3 million in grant funding for new parks in over 100 underserved and low-income communities, including Livingston.
Of the 468 project applications received by California State Parks, 112 grant projects were awarded, according to the state.
Funding amounts announced Wednesday range from as low as $270,000 to as high as $8.5 million, positioning Livingston’s grant on the higher end of the award spectrum.
With new or enhanced parks funded in every region of the state, the funding represents the single-largest investment in California’s history of expanding access to parks and recreation in underserved areas, a Wednesday California State Parks news release said.
Playground, splash pad, stage
The City of Livingston submitted its park proposal to the state last year with the support of a coalition of community groups, including the nonprofit Public Health Advocates.
“This is a great win for our city and our neighborhoods,” said Livingston Mayor Juan Aguilar in a Public Health Advocates news release. “The Livingston Rec-Plex will enhance our quality of life and lead to stronger, healthier families.”
Titled the Livingston Rec-Plex, the local project will convert a 25,000-square-foot warehouse into a recreation center with two indoor and outdoor multi-use courts, a music and art studio, a stage, playground and ninja gym.
Plans also include construction of an exercise area with fixed stations, walking path with mile markers, splash pad, three picnic areas and a public art piece. Additional amenities are a concession area, restroom, two parking lots as well as landscaping and lighting throughout the entire site.
The 2-acre project area is situated at 641 6th Street.
“Livingston has fought hard for more parks so that every resident has the same opportunity to be healthy and happy,” said Lourdes Perez, director of local policy at Public Health Advocates and a leading coalition member supporting the Rec-Plex.
“Parks reduce crime, increase physical activity and connect communities. We’re grateful to be part of the coalition that pushed for state funding and we commend the mayor and the city council for their leadership.”
To date, the Statewide Park Program has awarded $1.2 billion to California’s communities in four rounds, including $368 million in grant funding, the California State Parks release said.
Planada and Gustine have also benefited from past Proposition 68 awards for several millions of dollars worth of upgrades at Houlihan and Pioneer parks.
