Bakersfield, California (KERO)-If you feel your local community park needs some changes, they may come soon. In order to improve playground safety and equipment, the city government has invested a sum of money in several parks.
A few parks in Kern County have received a total of $22 million in funding for the renovation of softball fields, basketball courts, skate parks, and solar panels.
Maria Dias, a Vasco resident, felt that the renovation of Cormac Park was overdue. The playground equipment is very old and there is not enough light when the sun goes down. Diaz said she was always told that funding was the problem.
"Sometimes I bring my grandson here, but that thing is too old," Dias said. "The city said, there is no money."
But this situation is about to change. Dias is optimistic that many children will have more time to stay outdoors because of this funding.
"I am very happy to see that in this round of $220,000 and $500,000, the Central Valley not only upgraded our parks and refurbished our parks, but also built brand new facilities," said Rudy Salas, a member of the 32nd District Council.
Salas stated that Proposition 68 made this grant possible, and various applications were submitted, but not all applications were approved.
California Proposal No. 68, the Parks, Environment, and Water Bonds, was voted on in California on June 5, 2018, as a reference to the bond bill. [1] The measure was approved.
Proposition 68 authorizes a $4 billion general obligation bond for state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects. Assuming a 30-year interest rate of 3.5%, the bond issuance is expected to generate US$2.53 billion in interest, which means that the state is expected to spend US$6.53 billion to repay the bond issuance. [1]
This measure requires that, depending on the type of project, 15% to 20% of bond funds be dedicated to projects in communities where the median household income is less than 60% of the statewide average; the 60% threshold is approximately US$39,980 in 2016. According to the competitive grant program of the 2008 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act, the largest bond income-$725 million-is dedicated to community parks in impoverished communities in the park. The measure also redistributed $100 million in unissued bonds approved by voters through Proposal 1 (2014), Proposal 84 (2006), and Proposal 40 (2002).
Residents have played a role in helping to get what the park needs.
“The local parks will actually meet the local needs of these families, so whether they prioritize barbecue areas, skate parks, summer spray parks, or pickle farms, it’s all built-in flexibility so that local parks can meet local needs,” Sa Russ added.
A large part of this grant is used not only to upgrade playground equipment, but also to the safety of children playing in these parks.
“Integrate all these safety features, whether it’s upgrading lighting or upgrading amusement facilities, because we know it’s much safer to upgrade amusement facilities, and all of these will be integrated into this park to provide funds for our local parks for our local Family," Salas continued.
The renovation of these parks also includes the installation of new light structures at night and at night.
“Not only must the existing old lamp structures be refurbished to make them actually brighter under the LED lights, but the lights must actually be installed first,” Salas said.
Cities such as Arvin, Shafter, Lamont, Hanford and Wasco are looking forward to the renovation of their local parks. Many local residents and children are also very excited about the new playground coming to their own communities.