Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tulare County board approves five-year Parks Improvement Plan; focuses on sports fields, shade and infrastructure
Summary
Supervisors approved a standalone five-year Parks Improvement Plan for FY 2025–26 through FY 2029–30, prioritizing sports-field upgrades, playground shade grants and infrastructure repairs; staff proposed a FY25–26 parks budget of about $3.8 million funded by a mix of sources including general fund, ARPA and undesignated balances.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on July 22 approved the county's first standalone five-year Parks Improvement Plan (PIP) for fiscal years 2025–26 through 2029–30, a plan county staff said emphasizes visible user amenities and essential infrastructure work to improve safety and use across all county parks.
"This new plan reflects a dedicated focus on parks and positions it as a key investment area moving forward," said Brooke Sisk, General Services Agency director, during the board presentation. Parks Manager Albert Sendejas described completed work across parks and the list of projects proposed for the coming fiscal year.
What the plan covers Staff told the board the county invested almost $19.5 million in parks improvements over the past six years (figures through May 2025), including $8.8 million from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, roughly $6 million from the county general fund, $2.4 million in grants and about $2.3 million in insurance reimbursements for flood repairs. The PIP consolidates those efforts and sets priorities for the next five years.
FY25–26 priorities and funding - Proposed FY25–26 parks budget: approximately $3.8 million. - Funding sources cited: undesignated fund balance (approximately $1.1 million noted as available), $1 million proposed general fund contribution, remaining ARPA and grant funds (including an Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program grant for playground shade structures), and outstanding insurance reimbursements tied to storm/flood repairs.
Planned improvements by park Staff listed 17 proposed projects for 2025–26 that pair visible user improvements (sports fields, playground shades, bleachers) with behind-the-scenes infrastructure work (electrical, irrigation, restrooms). Examples included: - Alpaugh: new youth soccer/baseball space and playground shade (grant-funded). - Balch: restroom renovations and phased closures for upgrades. - Bartlett: continuing flood-repair work; new reservation system and Starlink connectivity to improve park operations and reservations. - Ledbetter (Orosi): bleachers and a playground shade grant; Park is heavily used for soccer. - Mooney Grove, Pixley and Woodville: field upgrades, irrigation and parking improvements to support multi-sport use.
Staff said sports fields were a frequent community request and that many of the projects are "low-hanging fruit" with modest budgets that county crews can deliver, producing visible results for users. Albert Sendejas said the county also completed a new on-line reservation system and that signage/QR codes will help residents access it.
Why it matters Board members and staff said parks provide important community open space and recreation, help meet local demand for sports fields (including overflow from city parks), and contribute to quality-of-life and tourism efforts. The plan pairs investments that residents notice with necessary infrastructure maintenance that keeps facilities functional and safe.
Board action and next steps Supervisor Eddie Valero moved approval and Supervisor Dennis Townsend seconded; the board approved the Parks Improvement Plan unanimously (4–0) with Supervisor Shuckling not voting because she was not present. Staff will prioritize projects as funds are available and continue to seek grants and community input.
Ending County staff will incorporate final FY24–25 spending in the budget close and begin implementing FY25–26 projects; several grants and insurance reimbursements remain outstanding and may change the fund mix for specific projects.
