Garrahan Park will see a major upgrade with a new play structure, walking track and a small stage for outdoor concerts within a year if the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District has its way.
The district’s board of directors voted last month to spend $267,350 to revamp the Boulder Creek park. Most of the funding is through a $220,000 grant from the California State Parks Department, and the rest will come from fees set aside for work on the parks.
Garrahan Park has a large soccer field with a small playground area. The changes will add new tables and picnic areas, landscaping and a renovated parking lot. Chronic drainage and irrigation problems will also be addressed.
“We’re looking to develop a multi-use park for many types of users, from young children to seniors,” said Christina Horvat, district manager.
The final concept for the 1.2-acre park on Highway 9 near the Mountain Store, was decided through input from community meetings and a five-member task force that was created last year. The park’s namesake, the Garrahan family, has also been involved in the planning.
One of the most exciting elements of the upgrade, Horvat said, is a walking track with equipment to create an outdoor gym.
“There aren’t any good places to walk for exercise in town,” Horvat said. “Moms have come up to me and said they walk along Highway 9 for exercise, which can be dangerous. The park is the perfect location for that.”
Horvat said the park project is slated to happen in phases throughout the yearlong construction.
“We don’t have the funds to complete the vision we want for this park all at once,” Horvat said.
Now, the district is in the process of surveying the community, creating reports and obtaining needed documentation and permits to start the renovations.
The $220,000 grant was given by the state about a year ago through the 2002 Resources Bond Act and needs to be spent by March 2011. While all of the grant money will be used for this project, Horvat said community support is crucial to its completion.
Horvat said the district will continue to have small weekend community events like last Saturday’s Brush Bash, where residents removed invasive plants and brush from the park.
“Many people have wanted to upgrade the park for some time, and our mission is creating community,” Horvat said. “We’re going to get the community involved with the grand vision of this park.”
