Residents press commission on Hidden Valley Park expansion as staff previews November funding option

Jim Castleman, a Hanford resident, used the public comment period to praise recent park maintenance and ask for clarity on the Hidden Valley Park expansion, including whether zoning changes have occurred and whether a plan exists for passive trails and a promenade connection through Court Street.

"I was wondering where we are at with the expansion of Hidden Valley Park," Castleman said, urging trails and passive uses consistent with the 2020 parks master plan.

Former commissioner Mickey Stoddard later reinforced that point, citing the 2019 master plan survey results and asking the commission to press the council to act on the plan. "We did a master plan that cost quite a bit of money and that master plan was supposed to be the guide," Stoddard said, and he asked the commission to use its voice to encourage development of the site rather than letting it remain unused.

Brad, the director presenting staff updates, said the environmental review for the selected site plan (site plan number 5) is roughly three-quarters complete and that the city will bring a funding mechanism to the council in April. He said there is a possible November ballot initiative being considered to fund approximately $60,200,000 identified in the master plan, which would include Hidden Valley Park expansion if approved.

Brad told the commission the state, which is the primary funder for a related park grant, requires that the full 40 acres for Heroes Park be dedicated to recreation; as a result the fire station and well will be sited elsewhere and the 40 acres will remain a recreational footprint. For Hidden Valley specifically, he said environmental work (traffic and other studies) is underway and the council has agreed on a concept to be carried forward in the environmental review.

Commissioners asked staff whether phase 1 would preserve the entire 40-acre footprint; Brad said the whole site will be a park and that phase 1 will provide core amenities centrally while perimeter trails and native grasses will occupy outer areas until additional funding allows fuller build-out. He also described efforts to master-plan the East Side and to coordinate trail connections from new development toward the park.

The public and commissioners pressed staff on sequencing and timelines; Brad said staff expects to bring the funding mechanism to council in April and that details will be posted in the council packet 72 hours before that meeting.

The commission did not take a formal vote on Hidden Valley during this session; the matter was presented as an update and next steps were described as council actions and possible ballot consideration.