STOCKTON, Calif. — With a pool renovation, soccer field, and some futsal courts, the biggest park in south Stockton is getting a major upgrade.
McKinley Park is one of only nine proposals to land an $8.5 million grant from the state. There were 468 proposals sent in and only 62 were awarded. For John Alita, Community Services Director for Stockton, McKinley Park was one that really deserved the boost. While many could use the money, McKinley has seen a lot of deferred maintenance.
“It has a lot of amenities that have fallen into disrepair, and there are a lot of families that live around that park,” Alita said.
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He says the park has been in poor condition for some time. About three years ago, the pool, a major park draw, was closed due to vandalism.
However, $8.5 million will breathe new life into McKinley Park, to such a degree that Alita says it’ll pretty much be a new park by the time they’re done with it. That money buys pool and bath house renovation, along with new soccer field, fustal courts, basketball courts, playground structure, park paths, landscaping and lighting.
“It’s definitely a booster shot [for south Stockton],” Alita said. “What we see across the city, just because of the financial troubles from the past, there’s been a lot of deferred maintenance in a lot of areas in our parks.”
The design came about through a series of seven meetings.
“The state was very clear with us, and we were in 100% agreement, that this should be designed by the people who are going to use it,” Alita said.
While the project is designed to give a little something for everyone, the money doesn't address the deferred maintenance issues the city has faced.
Alita says maintenance and sustainability will be a task for Stockton leadership to resolve. While Measure M can help with maintenance, he says the amenities will require some investment and care from the community.
“We all know, I hope, the value that green space and parks bring to people’s lives particularly if you’re in a community where there are not that many options for people…,” Alita said.
He says communities deserve a quality of life that help them build resilience and build a better community. That’s what he hopes can come from a quality park, like McKinley will soon be.
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