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Design firm outlines Howard Park master plan concepts; council, residents favor structured parking and revenue options
Summary
RRM Design Group presented a refined Howard Park master plan emphasizing structured parking, sports fields, camping/RV areas, event rental space and pedestrian circulation; the presentation proposed monetizing parking for non-residents while protecting resident benefits, and council directed staff to collect feedback and cost estimates.
RRM Design Group principal Gina Chavez presented a revised master‑plan concept for Howard Park to the Ione City Council on Sept. 2, showing options intended to clarify circulation, add revenue-generating elements and preserve existing park uses.
“Charles, Howard Park is really an amazing facility,” Chavez told the council, noting the site’s mature trees, historic elements and layered uses. The plan displayed to the council and public proposed: defined vehicular hierarchies, pedestrian and bicycle paths, a restored historic racetrack loop for walking and cycling, three new softball fields, structured parking for events, defined equestrian staging areas, potential day‑use camping and RV parking, an amphitheater/rental event space, improved dog‑park facilities, and connections to existing homecoming and beer‑garden uses.
Chavez said structured parking could be a reliable revenue source to help maintain the 87‑acre park. The presentation suggested charging for parking for non‑local visitors while providing Ione residents free parking as a community benefit; Chavez said revenue could be earmarked for Howard Park improvements. She also noted the master plan will be refined into a colored plan set and cost estimates and that the city should implement the plan in phases.
Council members and several residents praised the ideas and raised specific requests: one council member encouraged adding about 50 RV hookups in wooded areas and creating a dump station; another requested that parking and access focus on Highway 124 rather than Foothill Boulevard to reduce local traffic impacts. A resident asked how many food trucks the plan could serve; Chavez said the current drawing shows four and that the layout could be expanded to eight.
Public commenters emphasized maintaining the park’s historic features, improving wayfinding and safety, and using events to raise funds for implementation. The council directed staff to gather additional public feedback, refine cost estimates and return with a phased implementation plan. No formal vote or funding appropriation was taken at the meeting.
Why it matters: Howard Park is a large, regionally used facility that requires ongoing maintenance. The master‑plan refinements aim to balance community access and long‑term financial sustainability by pairing amenity improvements with revenue-generating elements.
Next steps: Staff and RRM will revise the plan to incorporate council and public feedback, produce a refined plan with cost estimates, and present phased implementation and funding options to the council for future consideration.
