Placer County approves $445K for Marriott Meadows Park in North Auburn

The Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved devoting $445,000 to the Auburn Area Recreation and Parks District (ARD) for development at Marriott Meadows Park. The 24-acre park includes the 4-acre Ridge Runners Field and is adjacent to Regional Park, off Highway 49 and Dry Creek Road in North Auburn. The property has been owned by ARD since 2004. According to ARD District Administrator Kahl Muscott, there is a master plan for the property to include picnic areas, a dog park, an open turf area, a pavilion area with a splash pad, restrooms, bocce ball courts and walking trails. "There's already existing trails up there. We'll just enhance them and it'll be a great place for folks to go walk, as opposed to down at the park, which can get a little warm. This is a nice cool area," Muscott said. The funds will come from park dedication fees from Recreation Area #5, which represents Auburn, North Auburn and Meadow Vista. According to Placer County Parks & Open Space Administrator Andy Fisher, park dedication fees are one-time funds, paid at the time of land division or building permit, collected for capital improvements to build up recreation infrastructure for increasing population. Muscott confirmed the total cost of the project is about $3.5 million, with other funding sources to include ARD reserve funds, proceeds from the sale of ARD's Mt. Vernon property, a California State Parks Per Capita Grant and a California Statewide Park Grant. According to Muscott, the project will go out for bid next winter, with the hopes of construction beginning in April 2023. In a written statement, Muscott said, "We are very excited to bring this new park to life. The community and specifically the residents in North Auburn will be treated to a special place to recreate, relax and enjoy nature. ARD appreciates the support of Placer County in helping to make this new park possible."