Parks director outlines CP42 regional sports complex plans, new maintenance investments and youth-program wins

Christopher Jensen, director of Parks and Community Services, delivered an extensive monthly report describing department priorities, capital projects, staffing and program developments.

Jensen said this year's priorities include leadership development, facility and field management, recreation access, cost reductions and quality-of-life improvements. He told commissioners staff will attend the California Parks and Recreation Society conference to build capacity and requested budgeted support for commissioners to attend next year.

On operations, Jensen told the commission the department has refined its fee schedule to reduce general-fund subsidies and highlighted new equipment investments: an ABI Force infill machine (combining multiple turf-prep functions) and a turf-striping robot that reduces multi-hour tasks to minutes. He said those investments reduce labor demand and help contain operating costs.

Jensen reported a $200,000 private donation from Fresno to support Merced Applegate Zoo, funding a zookeeper for three years. He also previewed a new 'Trailblazers' concept to boost youth employment and workforce development through department programming.

On capital projects, Jensen updated commissioners on the Merced Regional Sports Complex (CP42): he described the CP42 South site in construction and a preliminary CP42 North concept that would add baseball/softball fields, multiple soccer pitches and a possible indoor phase (2b) with gymnasiums that could host tournaments year-round. Jensen highlighted a 13,000-square-foot all-inclusive playground paid primarily with County First 5 funds and a manufacturer match; that playground recently received a California Parks & Recreation Society 'Parks Make Life Better' award.

Jensen also addressed access and operations: there is currently no bus route to CP42 but annexation and road improvements are being discussed, staff are migrating reservations to a cloud-based system to handle tournament scheduling, and fencing plus security cameras are planned in coordination with Merced Police Department to secure the site when it is not reserved.

Jensen closed by noting strong youth-league participation (about 400 youth in basketball) and staffing partnerships (including UC Merced internships); he said the parks, recreation and open-space master plan is about 90% complete and will be returned to the commission before going to council in April.