LAKEPORT >> Since the development of the Westside Community Park (WCPC) in Lakeport, members of the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club knew they wanted to contribute somehow.
Project leaders of the club Leanne Harvey said they are always looking for a project that gives back to the community and felt this was “a fun project to do.”
And they accomplished that. Recently, 11 members of the club completed the landscaping located at the entrance sign of the park. The project was finished after four onsite work days, in addition to planning meetings, according to member Kathy Steinberg.
The work, she explained, consisted of clearing the area of weeds and digging up blackberry roots and leveling the area. A weed cloth was placed where boulders and rocks, donated by R.B. Peters, were placed. To adorn the place, plants were placed after the water system was installed. Flora, which is drought-tolerant and deer proof, were planted. Flax, saliva, rosemary, and redbuds were planted to offer “great texture” and enhancement to the entrance sign was also placed.
The final step was spreading the gravel. “This is where we needed muscle to wheel the gravel to the areas for us to spread,” said Steinberg. “Kiwanis Members John Wiskirchen, Ross Kauper, and Dennis Rollins; as well as David Secord and Jim Harvey were there to wheel the gravel. After the gravel was raked and leveled by the club members, the area looked beautiful. The initial project — done.”
The club’s efforts were recognized in May by the City of Lakeport. They were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their “generous contributions to the Westside Community Park Civic Beautification Project.”
The Westside Community Park began as a concept created by Richard Knoll and Charlie Jolin in the late 1980s. Knoll and Jolin recruited community members with interest in youth activities to form the WCPC. Together they approached the Lakeport City Council with the idea, and eventually, the Council set aside the 60 acres off of Parallel Drive as the park’s site.
At that time the property was abandoned wastewater sediment ponds and an old walnut orchard that was to be developed into an effluent spray field.
Following the City Council action, Jolin took the lead and with the WCPC and began the process of creating a park.
Current development at Westside Community Park includes the Rotary Field and Jane Barnes Field. Together these two fields provide approximately seven acres of athletic space including both a softball and a baseball diamond. Also, there is a bicycle pump track, ten horseshoe pits, a dog park, picnic area and just under a mile of developed ADA-compliant walking trail with exercise equipment.
These facilities are used by hundreds of youth and adults each year. The park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, the softball program of the Westshore Little League, the Early Lake Lions’ Horseshoe League, the Lakeport team in the Williams Adult Soccer League and is used by the Kelseyville/Clear Lake High School Mountain Bike team for practice.
The Westside Community Park Committee in conjunction with the Konocti Youth Soccer League has received approval of plans for the construction of a concession stand to serve the athletic fields. Construction is scheduled for this spring and summer.
To the west of the current development is an additional 45 acres of undeveloped land which has been established for future park development. A master plan for that area has been created.
The City of Lakeport has dedicated land off State Highway 175 for the development of a Horse Park. Although not located at the current park site, this horse park will be developed by the WCPC. Longtime park supporter, Ruzicka Associates, is once again donating the time and talent required to prepare documents needed for submission to Caltrans to obtain access from the state highway. When these documents are completed the City of Lakeport Engineering, and Public Works Departments will work with Caltrans to obtain the encroachment permit. With that permit, the WCPC will be able to begin construction.
The creation of a park from undeveloped land is expensive, members say. Site plans, engineering, earth moving and grading, utilities, irrigation, planting and incidental improvements cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The WCPC committee members shared that the park has become a reality because of the support of the community through monetary and in-kind donations and the work of volunteers. Only $300,000 has been received from grants to complete work which is valued at many times that amount because of the community’s generous support. Currently, funds to improve the parking lot at the Jane Barnes Field and to construct beach sports courts are sought.
Anyone interested in supporting this community project can obtain information from the Committee’s website at www.westsidecommunitypark.org.
