Parks and Rec

Community Park Improvements Move Forward

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Plans for improving five County-owned community parks moved forward Wednesday, with the Board of Supervisors voting unanimously to authorize design or construction on projects that range from fixing irrigation at a swampy Julian baseball field to transforming an underdeveloped Fallbrook plot into a proper park.

Jess Martin Park in Julian, Goodland Acres Park in Spring Valley, Lincoln Acres Park near National City, Sweetwater Lane Park in Spring Valley and Don Dussault Park in Fallbrook are all slated for improvements.

Community Development Block Grant project funds allocated to the County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will pay for the work the Board authorized Wednesday.

The federal grants are for projects in low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Each park project aims to add safe and attractive facilities and expand recreation and health in the community.

Look for the following improvements to take shape:

Goodland Acres Park Basketball Court
The park’s basketball court will be repaved and striped; a ramp to allow disabled access to the court will be installed, and solar-powered lights will be added. Anticipated completion: spring 2012. Anticipated cost: $100,000.

Lincoln Acres Park Pavilion and Playground
The park will get new landscaping and irrigation, a 16-foot pavilion and a new children’s playground with safety surfacing. Anticipated completion: spring 2012. Anticipated cost: $110,000.

Sweetwater Lane Exercise Path
The project includes six different exercise areas with 30 stations and benches with shaded rest areas alongside the park’s existing path. Anticipated completion: spring 2012. Anticipated cost: $250,000

Don Dussault Park Design
Don Dussault is a ¾-acre undeveloped park in Fallbrook with one small playground. The Board action Wednesday authorized the design of a full park with two playgrounds, parking stalls, exercise stations, a picnic area, fencing, landscaping and irrigation. Anticipated design completion: spring 2012. Anticipated design costs: $80,000.

Jess Martin Park Ball field Improvements Design
The Board action Wednesday allocated funds for the design of improvements to a park baseball field where young people can play baseball and soccer. The existing field has poor irrigation and does not drain properly. Anticipated design completion: spring 2012. Anticipated design costs: $62,500.