City seeks state grants for four park projects in Riverside

Riverside residents may gain access to a new public swimming pool, a developed neighborhood park, and an expanded community center if the city secures state grant funding. The city is pursuing applications for four separate projects under the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. These proposals aim to address gaps in local recreation infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

City staff is preparing up to four distinct applications for the program. The grants are funded by Proposition 4, a climate bond approved by voters in 2024. A total of $188.5 million is available in this single funding round. Each application can seek up to $8.5 million, and the proposals will compete independently for the money. A key advantage for Riverside is that these grants do not require the city to provide matching funds. Staff noted that matching requirements often make other grant opportunities inaccessible.

The first proposal targets La Sierra Park in Ward 7. This project would add a public swimming pool to the park. Riverside currently has seven public pools, but none serve Wards 4, 6, or 7. The new pool would include a zero-depth entry to improve accessibility for older adults and people with adaptive sports needs. The concept places the pool on the current playground site, moves the playground to an informal T-ball field, and adds approximately 24 parking spaces.

A second application focuses on Martha McLean, Anza Narrows Park in Ward 3. The 40-acre park currently features a disc golf course but lacks a playground and restrooms. The plan would add both of those amenities, along with water play features, a bandshell, exercise stations, and a trailhead for the Santa Ana River Trail. The project is estimated to cost $12 million. The Santa Ana River Conservancy has already committed $6 million toward the cost, and the city is seeking additional grants to cover the remainder. Landscaping and barriers are also planned to keep unauthorized vehicles out of the river bottom, which helps protect habitat and water quality.

Mission Ranch Park in Ward 4 is the third target. The city purchased the 12-acre property in 2011 after development stalled during the Great Recession. Residents in the area have waited more than a decade for a developed park. Community outreach has shown interest in a swimming pool and a community or senior center. An $8.5 million grant would not cover all desired amenities, so staff suggests building the park in phases as funding allows.

The final proposal involves Nichols Park in Ward 3. The city plans to replace the existing community center, which was built in 1977 and covers about 10,000 square feet. An architectural consultant recommended replacement over renovation because the building is aging. The new facility would range from 16,000 to 30,000 square feet. It would serve recreation programs, function as a Deaf Cultural Community Center, and provide emergency shelter and extreme heat cooling during disasters. The city also submitted a separate $10 million application for a Community Resilience Center in September and is awaiting that decision.

The Park and Recreation Commission voted 6-1 on Oct. 19 to receive and file the project update. Commissioner Kevin Dawson voted against the measure, citing concerns about long-term maintenance costs. Staff estimates the new projects would add annual operating expenses of approximately $213,000 for the La Sierra pool, $25,000 for water play at Martha McLean, Anza Narrows, $147,000 above existing costs at Nichols, and $100,000 for Mission Ranch Park. The department intends to seek this funding through future city budgets.

Dawson expressed concern that new projects might divert resources from repairs at existing parks. He stated that the city needs to take care of current facilities before adding new ones. Commissioner Stephanie Schaefer countered that the city should pursue the available funding. She noted that the grant process takes years and that detailed plans can be requested once the city knows which grants it receives.