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Residents press council to fund $3 million match to secure $1.9 million federal grant for MLK Jr. Park
Summary
Residents, neighborhood leaders and advocacy organizations urged the council to approve a $3 million local match to unlock a $1.9 million federal award for MLK Jr. Park upgrades in Southeast Bakersfield, framing it as equity and long‑overdue investment.
Voices from Southeast Bakersfield told the City Council Wednesday that approving a $3 million local match is essential to secure roughly $1.9 million in federal funding for upgrades at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Speakers including long‑time neighborhood residents, environmental advocates and former law enforcement officers described multi‑generational use of the park and argued the project addresses Measure N priorities for safe public areas, neighborhood enhancements and quality of life. Sharon Briel of the Kern‑Kawia Sierra Club said the award is the second‑largest park grant in the country and warned the city would forfeit the federal funds if it did not provide the required match.
Why it matters: Supporters framed the match as a lever to bring decades‑deferred investment into a historically underserved part of the city, pointing to past large investments in parks elsewhere and urging parity. Several speakers highlighted that the grant requires a $3 million local match to remain eligible.
Council response and context: Council members acknowledged the project’s community support and noted competing budget priorities. The council did not take final action on a dedicated match at this meeting, but public testimony framed the decision as one that would determine whether the federal award is preserved. Staff and speakers referenced Measure N priorities and the city’s capital budget process as the likely venues for a match decision.
What residents said: Evelyn Young Spath, who said she grew up in the neighborhood, told council that the project is more than amenities and described the risk of losing $11.9 million already awarded (spoke to $11.9M awarded for the broader project) if local match funding is not provided. Other residents urged the council to reallocate or prioritize local budget items to secure the matching funds.
Next steps: The MLK Park funding decision remains before the city as council and staff continue budget deliberations and consider Measure N allocations and other funding sources. Residents and advocacy groups said they will continue outreach and follow council budget discussions.
