Southgate resident advocates for splash pad funding at city council meeting

The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting held on July 10, 2025, in South Gate, California, featured a significant public comment from resident Chingus Dominguez regarding the potential development of a splash pad at Southgate Park. Dominguez highlighted an upcoming opportunity for competitive grants totaling $50 million from the California Endowment, specifically aimed at projects funded by Measure A.

Dominguez urged the commission and city council to pursue these grants to fund the design and planning of a 3,000 square foot splash pad. He expressed frustration over perceived hesitance from city officials, particularly citing concerns about maintenance costs raised by a council member. Dominguez pointed out that the city has successfully funded and maintained larger projects, such as the $29 million Urban Orchard Park, questioning why a smaller splash pad seemed unfeasible.

He compared South Gate's situation to neighboring cities like Bell, Huntington Park, and Downey, which have successfully implemented splash pads. Dominguez noted that Downey is actively pursuing a splash pad project, despite it not being listed as a capital improvement project, but rather as part of their strategic plan.

In his remarks, Dominguez criticized the city council for what he described as a lack of responsiveness to the community's desires, suggesting that the agenda items often prioritize departmental interests over resident needs. He concluded his comments by emphasizing the need for the council to better reflect the wishes of South Gate residents in their planning and decision-making processes.

The meeting then moved on to close public comments and proceed with the agenda, leaving the future of the splash pad project and community engagement in focus for upcoming discussions.