PREPARED BY: ITZEL GOMEZ DATE OF MEETING: 07/21/2025
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FOR THE MCNEIL PARK PROJECT (0501)
CEQA: The McNeil park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been determined to be categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines. DEQA Guidelines Section 15304 exempts from environmental review “minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes.” The Project would involve alteration of the site from an empty lot with demolition debris to a park, including grading, new landscaping, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored. The Project would not remove any mature trees; the trees within and adjacent to the Project site would be preserved in place.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2025-2027 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Build a Healthy Community: Expand Safe Family Friendly Park Space (McNeil Park) And Community Facilities-(105), Develop Public Facilities For Active Living (Parks, Open Space, Sidewalks, Trails, Bike Lanes, Etc)-(109), are major policy goals contained in the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal grant program administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and implemented in California through the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS). Established by Congress in 1965, LWCF provides matching grants to support the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. In California, LWCF grants are awarded through a competitive process that prioritizes projects which expand outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly in underserved communities. The program aims to preserve natural resources, enhance park infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to recreation for all Californians.
Public Works staff intend to submit an LWCF grant application to help close the $3.3 million funding gap for the McNeil Park Project, located at 2600 Moraga Road. Based on 95% construction plans and the current cost estimate of $11.2 million, the total project cost exceeds the funding secured to date. The City has already secured $7.79 million in grant funding for the project. The secured funding sources include:
• $4.79M from the Urban Greening Grant Program from California Natural Resources Agency
• $3.0M from Legislatively Specified Grant Program from State of California Department of Parks and Recreation
To address the remaining shortfall, the City is requesting authorization to apply to the LWCF grant program. Between 2019 and 2024, City staff hosted public meetings and community input workshops, developed an online survey, and tabled at several community events to gain input from the community regarding the desired features for McNeil Park. Proposed park elements include a soccer field, playground area, fitness equipment station, walking path, basketball court, and basic park amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, shade structures, lighting, and more.
Separately, the City previously submitted an application to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, another National Park Service grant program funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The City’s ORLP application advanced from the first phase (i.e. statewide competition) to the second phase of review (i.e. the national competition). However, the ORLP program is currently paused, and it is unclear when or if it will resume. In the event that the City is awarded both LWCF and ORLP funding for McNeil Park, only one grant may be accepted, as both programs draw from the same federal funding source and do not allow for the same project to be funded simultaneously by both.
LWCF grant applications are due August 5, 2025. Award announcements are anticipated in January 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff seeks City Council authorization to apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program administered by the National Park Service. It will take approximately 40 hours of staff time to create the grant application.
The grant application stated that if awarded, the City is required to provide a minimum 50% match funding. Based on the 95% cost estimate, the total project cost is $11.2 million. The City has already secured $7.79 million in grant funding for the project, of which $3.0M will be used as match. The secured funding sources to be used as match for the LWCF grant include:
• $3.0M from Legislatively Specified Grant Program from State of California Department of Parks and Recreation
Staff will return to City Council to provide an update and appropriate the funds if the grant application is successful.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution