Family offers volunteers as commission weighs $75K cleanup or $305K rebuild for Blackwelder Park

Commissioners on the City of Rio Vista Park and Recreation Commission on Thursday reviewed a site assessment for Blackwelder Park that showed overgrown eucalyptus, damaged signs, graffiti and an apparent encampment, and discussed two sharply different cost estimates for reopening the site.

Staff presented two options: a basic cleanup—demolish the existing restrooms, remove trees, repair fences and mow—that staff estimated at roughly $75,000; and a full upgrade including new restrooms, reseeding, picnic tables, irrigation and electrical work at about $305,000. Staff warned those figures are rough estimates intended only to put ballpark numbers in front of the commission.

Amy Halverson, speaking for the Blackwelder family, said the family wants the park reopened for community use and offered volunteer labor and donations of benches and signage. "The family would love to help in any way that we can," Halverson said, adding that the park had once hosted small community events at very low rental cost and that volunteers could help bring the cost down.

Mark Blackwelder, a family member, told the commission he could mobilize relatives with plumbing, electrical and yard-work skills. "We can use porta-potties, we don't need to put in bathrooms," he said, urging the commission to consider staged improvements and volunteer-driven maintenance as a cost-control strategy.

Commissioners discussed liability concerns if the park were opened without restrooms and the need to verify whether existing lines are city sewer or septic, which affects the feasibility and cost of future restroom installations. Staff confirmed sewer lines exist at the site but committed to follow up with exact utility information.

Multiple commissioners suggested exploring a nonprofit lease or partnership—similar to prior arrangements on other city facilities—that could transfer maintenance responsibility and reduce net cost to the city. Staff noted volunteer work for city facilities requires administrative approvals and waivers, and that leasing to a nonprofit can reduce liabilities and labor costs.

Rather than select a funding option now, the commission agreed to form a two-member ad hoc subcommittee to research options, meet with the council liaison and city manager, and return with more detailed cost estimates and funding-source options in May. The commission instructed staff to prepare firmer numbers and to clarify the permitting, insurance and Brown Act constraints around volunteer and lease arrangements.

Next steps: the commission will identify the two members for an ad hoc subcommittee this week; staff will refine cost and utility information and bring findings to the commission at the May meeting for further direction.