During the recent Citizens Advisory Committee meeting held on February 19, 2025, in South Gate, California, significant discussions centered around funding for a new splash pad at Southgate Park. The Parks and Recreation Department proposed a budget of $160,000 to cover the plans and designs for this community enhancement project.

The proposal was inspired by successful projects in neighboring cities. For instance, Lynnwood is advancing its own splash pad project, with plans expected to be finalized by spring 2025, funded through Measure A funds. Similarly, Glendale is nearing completion of its fourth splash pad, which has a projected cost of $2.5 million for a smaller facility. The director of Glendale's Parks and Recreation highlighted the use of various funding sources, including Measure A and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, to finance their projects.

The South Gate Parks and Recreation Department aims to create a splash pad that is approximately 3,000 square feet, significantly larger than Glendale's. The estimated cost for South Gate's splash pad is around $1.2 million, which could be funded through a combination of Measure A and CDBG funds, as demonstrated by the funding strategies of neighboring cities.

In addition to the splash pad discussion, committee members expressed concerns about the state of local infrastructure, particularly the appearance of Tweedy Boulevard. There were calls for accountability regarding the maintenance of buildings along this street, emphasizing the need for community investment and improvement.

The meeting concluded with a strong push for the allocation of funds to initiate the splash pad project, with hopes of moving forward to construction in the following year. The discussions highlighted the community's desire for recreational improvements and the importance of strategic funding to enhance local amenities.