The city of National City has mounted an interactive site where residents can decide which amenities they would like to see funded at El Toyon Park, Las Palmas Park and Kimball Park from a one-time $3 million infusion of park funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The $3 million in ARPA funding was approved by Congress to support local government response to COVID-19 and help address public health and economic challenges that contributed to the unequal impact of that pandemic in some populations.
According to the Environmental Health Coalition, National City is home to 32 million pounds of hazardous substances and 870,000 cubic feet of toxic or hazardous gasses and is already at an environmental disadvantage; it was also among the hardest hit municipalities in San Diego county with top COVID-19 diagnosis and death rates.
The participatory approach provides residents with information about the three parks and answers frequently asked questions, and includes an interactive budget where residents can propose how they would allocate dollars to specific items in the park. It also includes an online idea wall where residents can address concerns and pose suggestions for park and city improvements.
The interactive approach to park design is open to all National City residents.
Residents without internet access can submit comments and surveys in writing at project kiosks located at the National City library and city hall.
Summarized results of the parks budget survey will be gathered for city council as part of an April budget workshop where a feasibility study for selected improvements will be presented alongside community input. City Council will then decide which projects will be included in the National City budget by June 2022, in conjunction with adopting the five-year Capital Improvement Program.
City Council already approved $8 million to widen and make emergency repairs to Las Palmas pool and to build a new locker and bathroom facility. While those repairs are underway, the pool will also be widened to allow for competitions, more lap swim and additional recreational swim options.
The work at Las Palmas pool includes a new wellness center with bathrooms, showers and changing facilities. An additional $1 million has been approved by the city to replace the two Las Palmas Park restroom buildings.
Along with developing updates to Las Palmas park and pool, the city is dedicating part of a $5.6 million grant from the state for improvements to El Toyon park. Those grant funds are specific to the improvements already outlined in the grant application based on earlier resident input. The city is already working through the design and bidding process for those improvements with the goal of breaking ground in 2023 and completing the project in 2024.
The city also budgeted additional Proposition 68 state grant funds to update the playground in Kimball Park. City staff is seeking input from the community on how additional funds from ARPA could be used to leverage those state funds.
The participatory budget section of the site includes pre-loaded items with accompanying price tags such as a dog parks and lighting at Kimball park or a new soccer field at Las Palmas park, but also includes options like infrastructure for free broadband internet at all city parks, a new vehicle for the Homeless Outreach Team and new public works equipment, or small business and non-profit microgrants.
The open online suggestion wall appeared to include many requests for practical items such as better lighting at parks, more effectively laid out parking, and functional bathrooms as of March 9.
The interactive planning site will be available through March 21 at nctogetherweplan.com
