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Calaveras presents comprehensive parks and recreation master plan; board set to consider adoption March 25
Summary
Consultants presented a year‑long parks and recreation master plan that inventories county and non‑county parks, recommends priorities such as inclusive playgrounds, dog parks and a possible regional sports facility, and proposes organizational and funding options including partnerships with Amador County Recreation Agency.
Consultants from Westward Professional Services (formerly Odell Engineering) presented the Calaveras County Parks, Facilities and Recreation Master Plan at the Board of Supervisors’ March 11 meeting, summarizing a year of inventory, community outreach and recommendations aimed at improving parks and recreational programming across the county.
The plan — based on 492 community surveys, district focus groups and GIS mapping — inventories six county‑owned parks, school joint‑use sites and a set of non‑county parks the county identified as significant. Recommendations include prioritizing inclusive playgrounds, more sport courts and dog parks, and exploring a regional sports facility to attract visitors and economic development. The presentation also stressed maintenance standards for partners, management best practices and a financial action plan that lists potential funding sources such as donor campaigns, corporate sponsorships, Prop 68 grants and transient occupancy tax (TOT) allocations.
Consultant presentations highlighted that the county currently lacks steady annual funding for parks and that many local parks are maintained by volunteer groups that need capital and maintenance support. Short‑term organizational steps include pursuing partnerships — the Amador County Recreation Agency (ACRA) was explicitly discussed as a partner — and clarifying joint‑use agreements with school districts. Longer‑term items in the plan include creating a parks and recreation manager position and, eventually, a department if sustained funding is available.
Supervisors and public commenters welcomed the plan. Judy Allen, chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, urged adoption and said the commission sees the master plan as a tool to open grant opportunities. Commissioners and residents asked that the plan recognize recent community plans (for example, the Copper community plan) and include specific non‑county facilities such as Hogan Dam (Army Corps) and Railroad Flat ballpark. Staff said some infrastructure issues — for example, septic repairs at Mountain Ranch Park — were outside the scope of this project and would require a facilities analysis.
The board was asked to formally adopt the master plan at its March 25 meeting. Staff said the document is intended to be “living” guidance and to provide a clearer path for community groups seeking county support and for the board to prioritize funding.
