For several years aging parks in Lompoc have needed some “tender love and care.” Maintenance crews work hard, but it’s hard to keep up with all the work that needs to be done. There is little spare time with a limited staff or funding to make major improvements.

First, there should be a comprehensive list of the improvements needed for all parks. A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is underway to provide a path to future upgrades. This plan would allow the staff and City Council to establish timelines for other projects, and add them to the Capital Improvement Plan, which is a comprehensive multi-year expenditure roadmap for all infrastructure improvements.

Then it’s time to figure out how to fund these projects. There are several ways; one is a bond measure, another is grant funding, and still another is private donations of labor, materials or money.

Parks are one of the least expensive ways for families, especially low- and medium-income families to entertain their kids, host family barbecues or exercise.

Parks are also a way for people to participate in organized outdoor sports such as softball, soccer, football, pickle ball, tennis, and a variety of other healthy activities.

A couple of weeks ago I said: “A Noozhawk article featured one photo of a new playground, but there were several playgrounds constructed using grants, a city park that was completely renovated, and some projects to begin much needed rejuvenation of Ryon Park.”

Well, those renovations are continuing. On May 7 the Lompoc City Council will review several projects. One is to consider options for Ryon Park Performance Stage Repair or Replacement and Renovation of the Existing Concrete Pad for Food Booths.

Ryon Park is the festival venue for Lompoc, as well as host to several local team sports events. Funding is not currently available for this much-needed project.

Another project is the Award of a Contract Purchase Order to buy and install two custom shade structures and a prefabricated restroom building for College Park. Funding for this project came from a Proposition 68 Parks, and Water Bond Act of 2018 grant.

At River Park the city will purchase a prefabricated restroom/shower building for the RV Campsite Project. And the council is being asked to approve a contract to design renovations for 13 of the older campsites; the construction contract award is scheduled for mid-February 2025.  This project is funded by fees collected and funding in the current budget to implement Capital Improvement Plan projects.

Several new campsites were constructed a couple of years ago at River Park, and the plan is to eventually renovate the remaining sites. All the fees collected from this much-used facility are used for maintenance of park and recreation facilities.

During the spring and summer months the RV park is always full of campers who reserve sites months in advance, and construction workers who need a temporary place to stay for a couple of months.

A new playground and fitness area design project has been awarded for the environmental review and drafting scope items for ballfield renovation at Pioneer Park. This project will begin May 2024. Another project will replace baseball field netting in the outfield. The project will begin the week of May 6.

All this work will cost well over $1 million, but it’s worth it since these improvements will improve the quality of life for everyone.

References:

Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne Says City’s Future Is ‘Bright and Ambitious’ | Local News | Noozhawk

Ron Fink, a Lompoc resident since 1975, is retired from the aerospace industry. He has been following Lompoc politics since 1992, and after serving for 23 years appointed to various community commissions, retired from public service. The opinions expressed are his own.