LAKEPORT >> With a series of projects still underway for the Westside Community Park in Lakeport, the park’s committee is looking for extra hands to help finish some smaller tasks, according to Committee Chairman Dennis Rollins.
One of those tasks is the need to install dozens of commemorative bricks into the ground of the Memorial Grove, located on the corner of the Janes Barnes field. About 75, 4-by-8 -inch red bricks have already been sold and ready to be placed. Rollins shared that there is a shared vision to create a path with the install bricks along the ground. Each brick, bought by locals, commemorates someone with up to three lines available. Similar to this, residents and members of the Committee have already planted several trees in the Grove. The trees planted have the names of those honored on plaques that make up the Memorial Grove mosaic.
Some have questioned the gated, mid-sized lot adjacent to one of Westside’s soccer fields, but that’s because there’s no sign to specify what it is, yet. That’s where the extra help is needed. A sign, slightly smaller to the Memorial Grove mosaic, is ready to be designated to the area, also known as the Ron Raetz Dog Park.
“We had contractors that were donating their own time to complete things like this but they couldn’t anymore,” Rollins said. “I’m looking to find others to help us get these items installed. We are willing to pay if we had to.”
In a list of 16 goals set by the Committee, one of the tasks they would like to see completed sooner than others is to have the Jane Barnes Field’s parking lot paved, and have a curb, gutter, and sidewalk installed. But just like with the installment of the bricks and the dog sign, they’ve reached a halt. This time it has to do with a lack of funds.
“We’re working with Community Development Services in Kelseyville to see if they can line up some grant funds for us. We can’t turn this over to the City until it’s completed and this is a big project of its own,” said Rollins.
Despite the challenges that can come with every new project, Westside Park has come a long way.
Several areas of the park have attracted hundreds of locals over the past several months. From baseball players to bicyclists on the Pump Track that opened in May, to dog walkers and runners, the Park has received much use. Soccer leagues are perhaps one of the most committed to the park. Rollins shared that the Konocti Youth Soccer League and the Ukiah Men’s Soccer League, with around 800 players, attract a sea of cars during the weekends, only pushing the Committee to complete the parking lot.
Landscape by Westside’s entrance and in front of the Jane Barnes Field was approved last week, Rollins said. Out of the 60 acres that make up the Park, 45 acres on the west part rests untouched until all other projects are complete, including a beach handball court, beach oasis center, and an off-site equestrian center. A football field, more baseball fields, and courts for either basketball, tennis, and bocce — or for all — are expected to make up those 45 acres.
“I tell everyone that the plan is conceptual at this time. Nuts and bolts happen when we start to work on there, but that’s down the road because clearly, we have to finish the other side of the park,” Rollins added.
Those interested in helping to install the dog sign and commemorative bricks are encouraged to contact the Committee through their website at westsidecomunitypark.org or via the Westside Community Park Facebook page. The Committee’s next meeting is set for October 4 at 6 p.m. in Lakeport’s City Hall.
