Greenfield unveils $22 million recreation-center-and-park plan; seeks grants and aims to start construction in 2027

Jesus Perez, Greenfield’s parks and recreation director, presented a detailed update on the city’s proposed recreation center and park during the Nov. 18 council meeting.

Perez described a multiuse site with accessible playgrounds, a multiuse sports field, a botanic garden and picnic areas, ample parking, a multiuse lobby with technology access, a full-size gymnasium, locker rooms, a weight/fitness room and planned security lighting and cameras. Perez said the project includes a splash pad as part of the recreation-center phase and envisions an aquatic center as a future phase.

On funding, Perez said the city received an $8.5 million grant from California State Parks and has submitted a $6 million Land and Water Conservation Fund application; the total project cost is estimated at $22 million. He outlined staffing expectations — "at least six people on-site at all times" — and said construction is targeted to begin in January 2027 with completion before the State Parks grant performance deadline of June 30, 2028.

Councilmembers asked about parking management, signage and whether on-site parking could be restricted to recreation users to prevent neighborhood spillover. Perez said signage and enforcement would be used and noted additional parking and monitoring would be part of operations. He also confirmed that current entitlement work and schematic design are complete and that the city is pursuing additional grants and funding sources to cover the remaining cost.

Perez said construction would take about a year once begun; if funding and permitting proceed on schedule, the project would be completed by mid-2028. Council did not vote on construction authorization; staff said permits are being prepared and further council action will be required to award construction contracts and allocate remaining funding.