AGENDA TITLE:
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Adopt a Resolution Approving Applications for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program for Lawrence Park Revitalization and Equity Enhancement Project, Hale Park Community Improvements Project and Blakely Park Aquatics and Community Improvements Project (PRCS)
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MEETING DATE:
October 21, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Christina Jaromay, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution approving applications for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program for Lawrence Park Revitalization and Equity Enhancement Project, Hale Park Community Improvements Project, and Blakely Park Aquatics and Community Improvements Project.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation released Round 5 of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. This program is a competitive grant program that creates new parks and new recreation opportunities or makes improvements to existing parks in critically underserved communities across California. The funding, previously through Proposition 84, and Proposition 68, has supported four rounds of the grant, awarding 1.2 billion dollars. With these funds, 180 new parks have been created and 133 existing parks have been expanded or improved throughout California. Proposition 4 passed in 2024 continues this program’s legacy. Round 5 of the program is expected to award $188.5 million for new parks or renovations of existing parks. The program may fund development of recreation features such as athletic fields and courts, recreation centers or outdoor classrooms, skate parks or pump tracks, outdoor fitness areas, picnic and BBQ areas, playgrounds, public art; major support amenities such as restrooms, parking lots, park security cameras and landscaping or lighting throughout the park. The minimum grant request per application shall be $200,000 with a maximum amount of $8,500,000. There is no match funding requirement. The application deadline is December 17, 2026.
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department since the beginning of this year has anticipated the release of Round 5 funding and has worked to solicit and collect community feedback on the revitalization of three (3) different parks located within underserved areas of Lodi - Lawrence Park, Hale Park and Blakely Park. Community engagement has consisted of online surveys, public input/community meetings and town halls located at each park, partner facilities i.e. at the Community Partnership for Families, Hutchins Street Square and Carnegie Forum. Locations for the engagement meetings, if not located within the park(s), have been planned strategically within less than a two (2) mile radius of the park(s) in order for residents to lead the design/revitalization of their park(s). The Department has conducted at least five (5) community meetings for each park. Feedback from the community included priority amenities, safety concerns and needs to be met i.e. climate resiliency, open space, sports fields, recreation features and areas for the community to congregate and celebrate with each other. Various iterations of the project concepts were modified by the Department as a result of the community’s feedback.
The Department has partnered with multiple organizations to increase outreach to the community including, 1) Unidos Progresando who empowers the Lodi community, regardless of immigration status, with access to food, education, legal support, and safe spaces; 2) Community Partnership for Families who serves the Lodi community as a welcoming space where families and individuals can access essential services, economic support and pathways to opportunity; 3) One Eighty Teen Center whose mission is the restoration of Lodi through 180 degree turns toward teens and families thriving physically, emotionally, and spiritually; intentional neighbors live and work in these underserved communities by the park(s) and provide tutoring programs for at-risk students, invest in community development and work to activate assets in diverse neighborhoods needed to thrive; 4) Lodi Boosters of Boys/Girls Sports who promote volunteering and fundraising to develop a system of youth sports activities, serving over 4,000 local youth and has over 1,000 community volunteers; and 5) Lodi Boys and Girls Club who enables and inspires all young people, especially those in most need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens; provides a safe place to learn and grow and life-enhancing programs, developing experiences; and hope for local youths’ future. Participation from the community has been abundant due to the Department and the Department’s partners’ outreach via in-person delivery of flyers to residents’ homes, posting flyers, social media posts, newspaper ads, and use of the partners’ group/member notification apps.
The three (3) projects will require three (3) separate applications for the grant opportunity.
Lawrence Park Revitalization and Equity Enhancement Project
Estimate $5.8M
This project will transform an underutilized, zero-amenity green space in an underserved Lodi neighborhood into a vibrant community hub. The community has designed the park to promote health equity, play accessibility, and safe neighborhood gathering. The project is a comprehensive renovation that introduces multi-generational recreational infrastructure, enhanced security, and complete site accessibility. A new community building, restroom facilities, picnic shelters, an inclusive playground, all-wheel skate park, and a new soccer field are a few examples of the amenities proposed for this project.
Hale Park Community Improvements Project
Estimate $4.0M
The Hale Park Improvements Project will transform a vital green space located in an underserved community into a safe, accessible, and vibrant neighborhood hub. Designed to serve residents of all ages, this comprehensive revitalization project enhances public safety, promotes health equity, and preserves local culture through structural, recreational, and site-wide infrastructure upgrades. A new community recreation building, an inclusive playground equipped with modern play components such as adaptive swings, a hexagon shade structure to cover the existing raised bandstand for community events, shade structures for gathering spaces, security lighting and cameras, picnic tables and benches and more are proposed for this project.
Blakely Park Aquatics and Community Improvements Project
Estimate $4.3M
This project seeks to transform the park’s aquatic facility and surrounding infrastructure into a modern, energy-efficient, and accessible community destination. This project shall expand water play equity, upgrade existing public assets to current ADA and sustainability standards, and install essential site safety and security enhancements. This project proposes construction of a new zero-entry shallow pool, splash pad, security lighting and cameras, and shade structures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to submit the applications for the grant funding. Upon award of grant funds for one (1) or more of these projects, the city will be reimbursed for costs associated with the project(s).
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Lawrence Park Concept
Attachment 2 - Hale Park Concept
Attachment 3 - Blakely Park Concept
Attachment 4 - Resolution