Vacaville parks planner reports construction progress at multiple parks; solar projects begin at community sites

The Vacaville Parks and Recreation Department reported construction progress across several park projects and said a series of solar installations have reached early construction stages, during the commission’s May 7 meeting.

Park planner Nemo Gonzalez gave the update, saying Corderos Park’s phase 2 basketball court, picnic tables, fencing and shade planting are about 95% complete. “Corderos Park is wrapping up. Construction on the basketball court, picnic tables, fences, shade trees is about 95 percent complete,” he said. He said a similar basketball-court installation at the Brighton Landing subdivision park is also nearing completion.

Construction fencing went up last week at Alamo Creek Park; staff said work is expected through August followed by a planting-establishment period. Tower Park’s improvements are a larger package and are expected to continue through October; staff said public art procurement for Tower Park is planned via an RFP. Lagoon Valley’s archery project is complete and open to the public, Gonzalez reported.

Gonzalez also updated the commission on smaller projects and site work. The city’s Play For All pavilion will receive a mural from Lorenzo Crockett of Vallejo and tile work from artist Tom Bridal; that work was slated to begin within weeks. The eastern portion of Magnolia Park is fenced for an establishment period and is expected to open to the public in mid-August. Centennial Bike Park will begin receiving dirt and posted project signage with a link to the city webpage, Gonzalez said.

On energy projects, staff said solar installations have begun at Duke, McBride and 3 Oaks sites; tree removals and vertical equipment are visible at those locations. Work at Eulatis is scheduled to follow. Gonzalez cautioned that concurrent county construction at the library may compound parking impacts near the McBride site.

Park manager Wallace summarized recent maintenance work across the system, reporting fresh paint in park restrooms and on metal poles at multiple locations: “The restrooms at Centennial, Arlington, Creekwalk, Pena Adobe and Lagoon Valley Parks all received fresh coats of paint to refresh, help brighten, and improve the facilities,” he said. Keating Park’s repainting project was completed after a multi-year effort.

Commissioners asked follow-up questions about tree replacement and shade plans at Corderos Park; staff signaled those concerns could be agendized for a future, more detailed discussion with plan drawings.

No formal vote was taken; the item was presented for information and to give commissioners a status update.