Board approves Diaz Lake makeover, awards playground and amenities contract

The Inyo County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 approved the Diaz Lake Welcoming and Beautification Project bid package and awarded the construction contract to Great Western Recreation of Logan, Utah, using Clean California Local Grant Program funding.

Parks and Recreation project manager Daniel (presenter) told the board the county received $1,475,000 through the Clean California Local Grant Program and that the Diaz Lake package will use about half of that award—$714,000—for the playground and related amenities. “The playground will be targeted towards ages 2 through 5 and 5 through 12, and it will include a volleyball court, a dog park, picnic areas with shade, and the whole playground will be ADA accessible,” Daniel said.

The nut graf: Supervisors praised the selection for its warranty and maintenance benefits and approved the contract after a presentation about design choices, warranties and maintenance advantages that County Parks and Recreation said will reduce long‑term upkeep costs.

County staff described the selected design features: pour‑in‑place rubber surfacing to meet ADA access and reduce recurring wood‑chip maintenance, climbing and freestanding play features to support motor‑skill development, swings, picnic areas with shade structures, an ADA parking connection, a dirt dog park (planned to use existing base dirt), volleyball court and accessible picnic benches and grills. Daniel said the selected contractor submitted multiple design options and was chosen for cost, local area experience and stronger warranties.

Warranties and maintenance: staff said the shade fabric warranty is 10 years and that the steel posts carry a lifetime warranty; playground parts and replacement ropes will be orderable from the manufacturer in the United States. Daniel cautioned that the concept renderings shown during the meeting are illustrative only: “This is just to give an idea of what kind of playground will be put in… The colors have not been chosen yet.”

Timing and financing: the Clean California funds must be expended by the end of 2026; the Diaz Lake package represents roughly half of the grant dollars awarded to Inyo County. Parks staff said the bid package covers construction elements; further work funded by the grant could include irrigation upgrades, planting of native shade trees and campground improvements in later phases.

Public comment and board discussion included a question about recent algae blooms in Diaz Lake and current safety guidance. Parks staff said last year’s algae bloom had reached a higher warning level during hot months and that conditions later improved to “caution”; staff advised anglers not to eat fish from the lake and recommended washing off after contact with lake water. A member of the public asked whether swimming was still allowed; staff said non‑motorized watercraft and swimming are allowed when conditions are at the caution level but cautioned against consuming fish.

The board approved the bid award to Great Western Recreation and authorized the project to proceed.

Looking ahead, county parks staff said they will work with the contractor to finalize colors and detailed plans and coordinate upcoming phases of improvements funded by the same grant.