2017 February PASO Magazine

CHAMBER BEAUTIFICATION AWARD 2016
The City of Paso Robles and REC Foundation
Honored for Renovation of City Park
By Meagan Friberg
Often referred to as the jewel
of Downtown Paso Robles, the
City Park is home to a newlyrefurbished
playground and lush
landscape design. Now, thanks to
the folks at the Paso Robles Chamber
of Commerce, the playground
area has brought about muchdeserved
attention to the City of
Paso Robles and the REC Foundation
as the winners of the 2016
Beautification Award.
“I am so pleased that the City
Park was chosen for the 2016 Beautification
Award,” said President/
CEO of Paso Robles Chamber of
Commerce Gina M Fitzpatrick.
“The impressive improvements to
the park have made a positive impact
on Paso families and the community
as a whole. A substantial amount of
work went into the the renovations
and the City did an amazing job, truly
making the park a beautiful gathering
place for all to enjoy.”
Chamber Marketing Director
Allyson Oken said the nominating
committee’s recognition of those
that played a role in making the renovation
of the City Park playground
a reality is well-deserved. “It is an
outstanding addition to the downtown
center, it adds to the general
splendor of the park, and has become
a destination for locals and families
visiting Paso Robles,” said Oken.
The playground area, which was
last upgraded in 1980, is located near
the corner of 11th and Spring streets
and was in desperate need of renovation
as many of the playground
structures had deteriorated through
the years. Funding for the renovation
was made possible through a State
of California Housing-Related Parks
Program Grant for $804,450 as well
as $650,000 in city redevelopment
funds.
The four-month project included
a complete renovation of the existing
play area and now features two
large play structure areas designed for
varying ages and abilities as well as a
merry-go-round, teeter totter, swings,
a play house, shade structures, and
more. During the renovation process,
the entire park underwent upgrades
that include a new entry plaza,
pathway repairs, a rebuilt barbeque,
and repairs to the gazebo and horseshoe
pits. In addition, landscaping
was upgraded throughout the park
and repairs were made to the irrigation
and electrical system.
A $100,000 endowment fund, established
by the Paso Robles REC
Foundation, will provide funding for
ongoing City Park playground maintenance;
funds were raised from community
donations and proceeds from
the Concerts in the Park series.
The City hosted a ribbon-cutting
event on September 7 to officially
reopen the newly-renovated Paso
Robles City Park Playground. Members
of City staff, elected officials,
representatives from the Paso Robles
REC Foundation, Parks and Recreation
Advisory committee members,
and representatives from SSA Landscape
Architects and Brough Construction
were in attendance.
“We commend everyone who
played a part in seeing this major
renovation project to fruition, commented
Julie Dahlen, Library and
Recreation Services Director for the
City of Paso Robles. “Starting with
the REC Foundation and the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Committee
who focused their attention on this
crucial recreational need for our
community, to donors who contributed
to an endowment for ongoing
park maintenance, this project illustrates
once again that ‘can-do’ spirit
of Paso Robles.”
The support from the community
for the project, according to Maintenance
Services Superintendent and
Project/Events Manager for the City
of Paso Robles Freda Berman, was
invaluable.
“We held community meetings
so people could see the design
before construction began and so
they could give us their input,” said
Berman. “We received helpful, constructive
comments and there was a
lot of enthusiasm for the project.”
From the moment the construction
fences were taken down, Berman
said the playground has been “absolutely
packed. The new playground is
state-of-the-art and it is filled with
families and children playing seven
days a week – and that is the biggest
compliment we can receive.”
Declan Frampton enjoys the new slide
at the City Park playground.
Ground breaking for the City Park
renovation project in 2016; pictured
from left are: City Manager Tom
Frutchey, City Council member
John Hamon, Mayor Steve Martin,
Christopher Taranto, and Brandon
Medeiros of the REC Foundation.
Along with community members, several City staff members, elected officials,
representatives from the Paso Robles REC Foundation, Parks and Recreation
Advisory committee members, representatives from SSA Landscape Architects
and Brough Construction were in attendance at a ribbon-cutting event to
officially reopen the newly-renovated Paso Robles City Park Playground.
14 PASO Magazine, February 2017