Vacaville to install solar at parks later this month; planner says parking‑lot trees will be removed and mitigated

Nemo Gonzalez, park planner for the city, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 2 that citywide solar construction will start later this month and continue through December and that several parks and municipal sites will be affected.

“These updates will be getting, they're gonna begin later this month, and the work is set to go through December,” Gonzalez said, identifying impacted sites that include McBride, 3 Oaks, The Graham, Eulattis and Duke/Andrews Park. He said larger sites such as Eulattis and 3 Oaks will be phased in multiple areas to reduce parking impacts.

Gonzalez told commissioners that Public Works is the project manager for the installations and that the department will publish QR codes, social posts and a project page to help the public find up‑to‑date information. He said parks staff will funnel public questions to the Public Works project page.

Commissioners asked about tree impacts at 3 Oaks and other parking lots. Gonzalez confirmed there will be substantial tree removal where grounding and solar canopies occupy parking bays, but perimeter street trees at 3 Oaks will remain. He said the contractor must apply for a tree‑removal permit and propose mitigation, including in‑lieu tree planting and locating replacement trees to maximize future shade outside solar arrays.

Gonzalez did not provide projected energy savings at the meeting but said he would follow up with the staff member who tracks that information. No formal action was taken.