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Merced to seek county ARPA funds to add field and lights at Community Park 42
Summary
The Merced Parks Department told commissioners the county has allocated up to $1.5 million in ARPA funds to entitle and site-plan 40 acres north of Community Park 42; proposed uses include a fifth field, additional lighting for courts and a secondary restroom, but engineering and timing constraints remain.
Merced’s parks director told the Recreation and Park Commission the city is positioned to use up to $1.5 million in Merced County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to annex and site-plan roughly 40 acres north of Community Park 42.
Christopher Jensen said the county allocation covers entitlement and site planning for the north parcel and would make the sports complex nearly 80 acres when combined with the current south parcel. He said the funds are intended to support a fifth athletic field at CP42, additional lighting for courts (including pickleball and basketball) and a possible secondary restroom, but that a significant amount of engineering work — notably drainage and irrigation design — remains before ground improvements can proceed.
The director warned the commission that the city’s memorandum of understanding with the county runs through Dec. 31 of this calendar year, creating a constrained timeline to expend and align the funds. Jensen said the county has allowed some flexibility given these are ARPA dollars, and staff will return with recommended spending priorities once they determine which items can be afforded.
Why this matters: CP42 is Merced’s largest developing sports complex; adding another field and nighttime lighting would increase capacity for tournaments and programs and could shift maintenance and operations obligations. The commission will review specific scope and cost recommendations before any construction or contracts are authorized.
Commission action and next steps: Jensen said staff will evaluate engineering needs and cost estimates, then bring a recommendation back to the commission. No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond the informational report.
Context and funding details: Jensen stated the county’s $1.5 million allocation comes through a joint-powers arrangement tied to ARPA. He emphasized that decisions about which improvements to fund (field, lights, restroom) will depend on the final engineering scope and cost estimates and that staff will seek commission review before committing funds.
The commission approved the minutes earlier in the meeting and adjourned after concluding business; no vote on CP42 expenditures occurred at this session.
