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City staff seek council sign-off to pursue $1.5 million turf grant for Paraggo Park
Summary
Parks staff asked the Committee for Parks & Environment Sustainability to authorize moving a state Youth Athletic Facilities grant application to the June 2 consent agenda. The request would let the city accept up to $1.5 million toward replacing two worn synthetic turf fields at Paraggo Park if awarded.
Parks Director Loren Hamilton and parks planning manager Lince Falconberg asked the committee to authorize language that would allow the city to accept an RCO Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF) grant if awarded.
"This grant application is for the replacement of two synthetic turf fields at Paraggo Park," Falconberg said, saying the fields provide more than 3,000 scheduled hours of use annually and that the existing cork infill is ‘‘freezing and creating slick conditions.’’ Staff told the committee they applied for the maximum $1.5 million request toward an estimated $3.2 million project and intend to cover the required match from the capital investment program (CIP).
Staff said design work would begin in 2027, with construction planned for late summer 2028 to avoid peak field use, and a goal to reopen the fields for the 2029 season. If the city is not awarded the grant, staff said the project would continue under the CIP at the full amount.
Councilmembers asked about safety and material choices. Council Member Critzer asked whether the city is pursuing more sustainable infill options; Falconberg said the city has used TPE infill on recent upgrades and considers it the industry’s most sustainable option currently. Council Member Prao asked what safety trade-offs were considered; staff responded that most safety concerns appear when fields near the end of their life cycle and that better impact pads and updated infill can reduce risk.
The committee agreed to move the item to the consent agenda at the June 2 business meeting so the council can act on final acceptance if the grant is awarded.
