BALDWIN PARK — A playground, walking path or gathering space suggested by a resident could eventually become part of a multimillion-dollar state grant proposal. Baldwin Park Park Plans will move another step forward Sept. 24 when residents gather to help decide what they want from local recreation spaces.
The city will hold the second of five community workshops designed to turn residents’ priorities into potential park improvements. Participants will identify recreation features, amenities, activities and programs they would like to see.
They will also consider where those ideas could fit within local parks.
The process comes as Baldwin Park pursues funding through California’s Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, or SPP. The competitive program finances new parks and major improvements in underserved and climate-vulnerable communities.
California State Parks has made $188.5 million available for the current round. Applicants may request $200,000 to $8.5 million per project, and no local match is required. Applications are due Dec. 17.
Baldwin Park Park Plans Take Shape
That competition gives residents’ suggestions significance beyond Thursday’s meeting.
The grant program’s application process calls for applicants to document community involvement in developing their projects. Baldwin Park’s five-part process gives residents repeated opportunities to help move concepts toward a more defined proposal.
The city has completed its first phase, which focused on community vision and existing conditions. Thursday’s workshop will concentrate on recreation features and programming priorities.
Three more phases will address park layout and design; safety, inclusion and beautification; and community design review and confirmation.
That progression allows an idea raised early in the process to be considered again as designs develop. Residents could identify a desired amenity, then later discuss its location and how it fits into a safe and accessible park.
The city’s workshop announcement does not identify a specific park or group of parks for the application. It also does not state how much money Baldwin Park plans to request.
State Funding Could Cover Major Improvements
California State Parks says SPP grants can support acquiring land, creating parks and renovating or expanding existing recreation spaces. Proposition 4, the 2024 climate bond, provides funding for the current grant round.
The Sept. 24 workshop gives residents a chance to influence Baldwin Park Park Plans before the state application deadline approaches.
The meeting runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Esther Snyder Community Center, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd. The city will provide refreshments and snacks.
For information, residents can call the Baldwin Park Department of Recreation and Community Services at 626-813-5245, ext. 311, or email [email protected].
For residents, the workshop offers something more concrete than a survey about neighborhood parks. It provides a chance to put ideas on the table while the city is still deciding what improvements could become part of its bid for state funding.
