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Creating a Vision to Revitalize Ben Lomond Park
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Creating a Vision to Revitalize Ben Lomond Park
By Michele Lanctot
Out of 24 parks in Santa Cruz County, the Ben Lomond Park meets the criteria to apply for the 2010 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. County parks officials are asking the community to help shape the grant request.
The passing of Prop 84 in 2006 allocated $184 million dollars to be administered through the State Parks. The County of Santa Cruz is jumping on the chance to revitalize this neglected riverside park on Mill Street in the San Lorenzo Valley.
While there is a bit of a rush — the grant application is due to the state Mar. 1 — the county wants to hear what the community has to say.
Following two meetings in January, another meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3 at Highlands Park in the Lorenzo room at 7 p.m. Fifth District Supervisor Mark Stone is expected to attend the meeting to receive comments and educate people about the process.
Grant amounts range from $100,000 up to $5 million.
The grant program favors areas that do not have many parks, and Ben Lomond Park qualifies because the town only has 1.84 acres of usable park space per 1,000 residents.
"This is a park that has not received a lot of attention for a while," said Santa Cruz County Park Planner Cristina James, "and it has great potential."
Applications are scored on nine criteria, including community-based planning and use of sustainable techniques.
The parks department will present the draft plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Feb. 8.
New Courts, Picnic Tables Requested
During one meeting officials invited the attendees to vote on various aspects to repair or add to the park. Reconstructing the existing basketball courts and adding more picnic benches were among the most popular choices.
Another suggestion was to remove the fence in order to increase the visibility of suspicious activity and be more inviting.
A woman who lives near the park commented that the current lighting was not adequate and at times the park is completely lacking electricity.
That solution does not have to wait for a successful grant. Park Planner Robert Olson responded that he would address that issue promptly as a safety concern.
In addition to having public meetings, the planners asked what the children that attend the Kreative Kids Program want.
A county program located at Wilder Hall adjacent to the park, Kreative Kids offers childhood enrichment for ages three to six. The children will benefit the most from a new or significantly improved playground and increased safety measures, according to program directors.
The current park layout does not meet the American Disability Association accessibility standards, so improvement to playground access will also be included in the plan.
Not Enough Time to Study Dam
Ben Lomond Park for years housed a summer swimming hole, thanks to a dam along the river.
While many community members want to return the park to the nostalgic days of their youth, planner Olson explained it will not be possible to incorporate the dam in this grant application.
The required environmental review would take up to 30 months to complete, but the review for the California Environmental Quality Act for the grant must be complete by September 2011.
Mitigation requirements would involve hiring a professional to monitor water quality, temperature and streambed conditions before and after the dam is constructed.
The dam will also have to be seasonal to allow for fish passage at certain times of the year.
Thomas Wynn, president of the San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce, suggested that the chamber may be able to lead efforts to restore the dam.
"If it would be feasible, if we could solve the liability issues, cover the continuing costs and solve the environmental issues, I'd love to see the dam back," Wynn said.
A petition was started at the Jan. 12 meeting to ask the county to apply for a larger grant that could include the dam replacement. It quickly garnered 20 signatures. Because of the response from the community, the dam may be a possible project for future grant proposals, but having a beautiful and frequently used park is of higher priority.
"As a local father — I have a four-year-old and a six–year-old — I am a natural advocate of improving the park," said Wynn. "The meetings were well attended, really passionate and constructive. Even if we don't get this grant, the community support and awareness that has been brought up by the meetings will help to improve the park."
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