Placer County approves grant application for park improvements

The Placer County Board of Supervisors provided approval Oct. 12 for the Department of Parks and Open Space to submit an application for grant funding for county park improvements. According to Parks Administrator Andy Fisher, the funding is provided through the noncompetitive Per Capita Program through Proposition 68, which allocates funding to counties for recreational projects. The staff report notes initial calculations estimated county allocations at $400,000 each. "Like so many things in 2020, the rollout of the final guidelines and appropriations was delayed by COVID, but when they did come out earlier this year with the final allocations, we were happy to find out that we were approved for $633,810," Fisher said. The program requires a 20-percent match requirement for projects located outside of areas where the median household income is less than 60 percent of the statewide average. According to the staff report, most areas in Placer are subject to the match requirement. According to Fisher, the funds will be utilized for the following projects: The construction of a two-stall restroom building with an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp at the Dutch Flat Pool (1045 Mattel Drive, Dutch Flat). The project will cost $175,000, utilizing $140,000 program funds and $35,000 matching funds. Improvements at Griffith Quarry Park and Museum in Penryn to include replacing safety fencing around the historic granite quarry, upgrading the interpretive signage, improvements to the fencing along the three-mile trail system, vegetation management for fire risk reduction, drainage and security improvements to the gravel parking lot and replacement of worn benches, tables, trash cans and drinking fountains. The project cost is $353,610, utilizing $127,610 program funds and $226,000 matching funds. Reconstruction of the sports field and amenities like improved picnic facilities and a walking/running path at Sheridan Park (off Camp Far West Road in Sheridan). The project cost is $239,000, utilizing $191,200 in program funds and $47,800 matching funds. Paving a pathway segment between Truckee and Northstar Drive as part of the Martis Valley Trail, which will be a paved trail that connects the communities of Truckee, North Star, Kings Beach, Tahoe City and Olympic Valley. The project cost is $1.8 million, utilizing $175,000 program funds and $1.7 million matching funds. One public comment was received inquiring about solely using grant funding for the projects, as, "We have restrictions right now where our kids aren't even allowed to enjoy this." "This money is appropriated, $633,000, is offered to Placer County to use for recreational infrastructure and it's a use it or lose it for that purpose. We don't have the authority to reprioritize it to anything else," Fisher said, noting the county will also apply for additional competitive grants. Fisher also confirmed county parks have been open and available throughout the pandemic. District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore asked if staff has applied for any competitive grants to date. Fisher confirmed the county has been awarded $3 million in competitive grant funding.