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Oroville staff report Bedrock Park design advances, warn Phase 1 costs have risen
Summary
City staff told the Park Commission that Huitt Park construction is complete and that Bedrock Park phase‑one design is at 50% but estimates have risen (staff said the overall estimate is nearly double prior figures and that an ADA pathway alone is about $600,000); staff said dredging will require Fish and Wildlife permits and they expect 12–18 months of grant-seeking before awarding a construction contract.
City parks staff updated the Oroville Park Commission on April 14 that Huitt Park's construction contract is complete and that design work on Bedrock Park is advancing, but costs have risen significantly and financing remains a work in progress.
"The construction contract is done," staff member Tim said of Huitt Park, adding that some minor follow‑up work (parking‑lot lighting, a dog‑area fence) is anticipated even though typical construction activities are complete.
Tim presented the Bedrock Park 50% design package and said the project estimate has risen — "it's almost double previously," he said — after additional erosion control, tree plantings and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) work were moved into phase one. Tim cited the ADA walkway down to the riverfront as an approximately $600,000 addition to the phase‑one cost.
Staff noted permitting risks tied to the riverfront. Tim said dredging the lagoon in phase two will require California Department of Fish and Wildlife review and permits because of salmon habitat, and that those permits will likely include monitoring conditions.
On funding, Tim said the city explored a kayak‑access grant and approached Feather River Recreation and Park District about partnership but Feather River could not join the application because of a tight turnaround; staff said similar grant opportunities recur and they will continue to pursue funding. "I'd say maybe 12 to 18 months to look for money before I can really get this contract awarded," Tim told commissioners when asked about the schedule.
Other items discussed included replacing removed, damaged elm trees along the levee with appropriate species (staff said none were previously designated specimen trees), the need to find a new designer after the original firm went out of business, and the possibility of adding a fitness pad to future planning. Staff emphasized that some phase‑one work may be accomplished by in‑house crews to reduce contract costs.
The commission discussed whether to add interim monthly meetings as the project develops; staff recommended special meetings for time‑sensitive grant reviews and reminded commissioners of Brown Act notice requirements for special meetings.
Next steps: staff will present cost details to council (Tim said he expects the council packet to include cost information after further work), continue grant searches, and return with refined budget and schedule recommendations.
