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Council supports installation of two ‘Talk to Me’ communication boards — Orchard Lane Park and Vosti Park chosen
Summary
Council accepted a proposal to install two communication boards designed for nonverbal and neurodivergent park users and agreed on Orchard Lane Park and Vosti Park as Soledad’s two locations; funding was offered by a Monterey County supervisor.
The City Council on Sept. 3 supported placing two low‑tech “Talk to Me” communication boards in Soledad parks to help nonverbal, speech‑delayed and neurodivergent children communicate during play. Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Cabrera brought the idea to staff after seeing a model in Coalinga; Supervisor Lopez offered funding to buy two boards per South County city.
City Manager Megan Hunter said the boards are bilingual visual panels (English and Spanish) that do not require electricity and are intended to help children point to images to communicate basic needs or play invitations. The supplier offers a roughly 20% discount, Hunter said, and Supervisor Lopez indicated he would fund two boards per city at an estimated combined cost of about $8,000 for the four cities.
Council members discussed siting and agreed on Orchard Lane Park — the city’s inclusive playground — as one location and chose Vosti Park (north-side community park) as the second site so the installations serve families in different parts of town. Council members directed staff to coordinate purchase and Public Works installation and thanked Supervisor Lopez for the funding offer.
No formal ordinance or budget appropriation was required at the meeting; staff and the mayor said they will proceed with procurement and installation and will return with any required procurement documents.
