CLEARLAKE OAKS >> Probing the desire of residents here about prospects of a new public park, the Lake County Public Services director met with several dozen residents to test ideas on what amenities it could include.
The 584 acres of land was part of a trust donation to Lake County that included funds from other assets which comprise off-site properties and a commercial property lease in the Bay Area – with the purpose of paying for park improvements and ongoing park maintenance costs.
“I’m not here to say what we will or cannot do,” Lars Ewing, county Community Services director said, in a meeting on Tuesday at East Lake Elementary School. “We have a requirement (from the trust) to name it the John T. Klaus Park. Also, a requirement to set aside one third of the park for a wildlife refuge and keep the area at the front of the park for youth sports activity.” Beyond that, county staff was present to seek public input of what residents would like done.
Ewing introduced consultants overseeing the project from Helix Environmental Planning of Roseville. Scott Redding, an environmental planner pointed out two sets of artist renderings of the site, to help attendees get the lay of the land. “We’ll get feedback from you (residents) of what you envision the park to be, which will help to go forward with the design phase.” he said. His colleague, Leslie Owning, noted they need to know what exists within the 584 acres. “And we’ll design from a biological standpoint and input from cultural and tribal stakeholders,” she said. “We had biologists come already with maps identifying existing trails and we’ll build on that to come up with some ideas.” They have already contacted the Native American Heritage Commission for studies of cultural resources, what they know about this site, and what they would be interested in and are waiting for a reply. Based on community input they will move to a conceptual design.
Maria Kann, a member at the East Region Town Hall municipal advisory council recommended horse trails, separate bicycle trails, dog stations for water and lavatories for people. “It’d be good to have a visitor center (since it is not far from the I-5 intersection), which motorists can check things to see and do, and history and biology of Lake County,” she said. “And maybe have charging stations for phones and refreshments for people traveling through.” Kann went on to say it would be nice to have a stage with a beautiful backdrop, for weddings, or even a Friday night ‘battle of the bands.
“But first, the county has to define what is a public park,” Ewing cautioned. A new General Plan is being revised that is likely to have a broad definition. “But no hunting in a preserve area,” Kann said. Yet Ewing reminded her there are some county parks that do allow hunting with a permit. Holly Harris, also active in ERTH, pointed out there’s significant amounts of motorists passing through Lake County, but who do not stop, and who originate from the Sacramento area.
“I like the idea of a nature park, we could have a nice size parking lot, something that promotes Lake County,” she said. “We could provide information about Clear Lake boat launches, or about fishing and hiking- talk about the health of Clear Lake and the challenges from cyanobacteria and the improvements, how everything works together.” Harris went on to note similar stops in Upper Lake with visitor stops, focused on the western end of the Gateway. Here the county could promote bird watching and how this is the flyway of migratory birds and promote what makes the county a special place (clean air). “And people will want to move here,” she said.
Kann suggested nearby walking paths, they can place exercise stations. They could lay down flagstones or other signage informing visitors about local plants and wildlife stimulating visitors’ interest and encourage return visits. Harris added that along with promoting physical fitness, other signage could inform what makes Lake County unique. “I’d love to see (display of) salvage (found) art or what highlights the county at this gateway.,” she said. Ewing suggested signage for upcoming events to let people know of pending performances and reminded the audience of the Kiosk at Red Bud Park as an example of what strategically placed promotions can do for businesses.
However, Ewing cautioned this is a preliminary step and they are not ready for construction documents yet. The meeting was a walk-through of the potential project. He just met with Cliff Mota, a Native American liaison, in consultation with the Elem Tribal nation and assured there will be environmental documents prepared about impacts.
