Plumas recreation facilities to receive $400,000
A unicorn showed up in a Plumas County Board of Supervisors presentation for a $400,000 Per Capita Proposition 68 grant Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The unicorn was actually 9-year-old Charlie, the granddaughter of Indian Valley resident John Shower, who was one of a group of people whose projects would benefit from funding. The unicorn actually represents the number of people who will be enjoying recreation activities throughout Plumas County.
Shower, representing the Indian Valley Recreation and Park District, explained that volunteers have maintained the local tennis courts, but it was time for some serious maintenance on them. This one has gone 10 years without specific attention, Shower said.
Although volunteers have been active in raising funds and doing a lot of the work for free, it’s time to bring the tennis courts back to playing quality. Shower said it would cost about $9,500 to maintain the courts. Another $15,000 is needed for those interested in expanding the site to include pickle ball.
County Administrator Gabriel Hydrick explained that Indian Valley volunteers do have a little money from fundraisers to add to proposed projects. Shower said the group wanted to hold onto a little of their funds in order to clear the court every year.
And this was just one of the countywide projects Hydrick listed for OGALS proposed allocation. This is a California Department of Parks and Recreation per capita grant. Proposition 68 is part of the Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018.
Hydrick said he reached out to stakeholder groups for proposals.
Shower’s project is just one of nine, Hydrick considered. And many of the projects are “shovel ready,” to go.
Up next were Jeremiah Bridges and Richard Dolezal who are interested in improving the disc golf course in Quincy. Bridges said they have a good area of dirt and rocks with challenges to players, but would like to see more areas developed in the county.
Bridges said that the Central Plumas Parks and Recreation District assisted in establishing the original nine baskets for disc golf. And on the average there are 12 to 40 players a day at that course. Improvements are needed for the popular recreations, including bringing a course up to tournament standards.
Bridges and Dolezal believe the county would benefit by offering more playing areas as well as offering competitions to draw people into the area. To complete both short and long term goals, the group is requesting $21,645.
Representatives of Almanor parks and recreation projects, Charles Plopper and Carlos Espana, discussed projects totaling $120,809.
While the group has been active in developing trails in the area, they also want to see pickle ball and other recreation available. They also pointed out that Chester Park is in need of ADA picnic areas. Currently the only table is also next to the restrooms.
“This looks great,” Supervisor Lori Simpson told the representatives. She then asked who was going to be maintaining the locations?
Espana said the organization is fortunate to have a volunteer and a contractor who were willing to do the work. “We’re very volunteer oriented,” he said.
Other proposals
More recreation projects include further development of the Sierra Buttes trail that begins in Eastern Plumas County. A total of $65,000 is set for that one.
In Quincy, Rotary Field structures, field and ADA availability would receive $20,000.
And Hydrick has considered an old restroom between Pioneer Park and the Plumas-Sierra Fairgrounds. Facilities Services said they could demolish the building for about $7,000. But once Hydrick looked over the building he thought it is worth saving. Constructed of cinder blocks, he said that for $10,000 the building could be used for storage.
Three county parks would receive $30,000 each, Hydrick said, totaling $90,000.
The Taylorsville Campground is to receive $17,000 for repairs, renovations or upgrades. That is 34 percent of what the proposed project would take. The campground is owned by the county.
And finally improvements to Story Field in Quincy came in at $10,000.
Hydrick explained that some of the work has already been done on the projects. Using an allocation transfer, groups can be reimbursed for the costs. Story Field is just one of those projects that have been completed.
