Baldwin Park is Awarded $2.5 Million from the State

Baldwin Park, Calif. (Monday, March 9, 2020) California State Parks announced that the City of Baldwin Park received $2.5 million from the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program funded by Proposition 68. The State Park Program Grant (SPP) is the most extensive park grant program in California's history. SPP received a total of 478 applications requesting $2.8 billion for the available $254.9 million in this round. Baldwin Park was one of fifteen cities in Los Angeles County that are funded by this grant and one of sixty-two statewide.

The funding will subsidize a significant portion of the cost to develop the Big Dalton Wash Trail Greenway, a path running alongside the Big Dalton Wash from Central Avenue to Baldwin Park Boulevard.

Winning this grant helps create more opportunities for residents' access to open space and support active recreation and passive use of trails. With this funding, the City plans to develop a pathway that will connect the Hilda Solis Park and Walnut Creek Nature Park and expand the connectivity to region’s network of proposed and existing greenways such as Rio Hondo, San Gabriel Rivers.

The Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District identified Baldwin Park, in its countywide needs assessment as a "very high need" area. Currently, the City has 27 acres of public parkland, which translates to having 0.35 acres of park space per 1,000 residents. This new trail will increase recreational opportunities where children can play, families can bond, seniors can exercise. This park will be a space to socialize and celebrate our community's diverse cultures.

"This is incredible news for Baldwin Park," said Mayor Lozano, "the grant goes a long way to easing the financial impact of this important project." He continued, "This innovative green trail project will greatly improve the lives of Baldwin Park's families, children, and seniors by creating safe recreational spaces."

The Big Dalton Wash Trail Greenway will be a new 2.8-mile, non-motorized trail that will feature natural landscaping, and public art. The proposed plan will enhance the appearance of the area, and introduce sustainable features, such as bioswales, native plants, and gardens. Also, the park will include the installation of both LED and solar lighting, benches, security cameras, hydration stations, and landscaping throughout the Greenway.

Currently, the proposed trail site is not accessible to the public. The site is a flood control road where concrete, gravel, and steel fencing presently dominate the view. This project will completely transform the existing space into a unique place where everyone connects with nature, which is one of the critical objectives of the SPP.

Residents were at the forefront of the park planning process. They worked closely with City staff to create a space that is a true reflection of their community. The citizen-led efforts allowed the creation of this project to be directly correlated with their needs, views, and desires for the new public space. A resident commented, "Through the seven community meetings, the City provided an opportunity for us to participate in the planning process actively. We went through multiple designs where we had the opportunity to give our input at every step. I'm proud of our work, and I look forward to having my family use this park!".

The proposed trail will serve as a hands-on environmental classroom, and as a resource that will help improve the educational condition of the community. The planned path will serve as an immersive lab experience that will educate visitors on issues of sustainability, biology, landscaping, and active transportation.

The intent of the Greenway is to be a significant improvement and a new gem for the community! This proposed accessible space will allow residents to learn, play, walk, ride, and enjoy the environment.

The Big Dalton Wash Trail Greenway project will begin construction in the fall of 2021 with a projected grand opening in the spring of 2022.

For more information please visit https://www.baldwinpark.com/

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Additional Information:

About the City of Baldwin Park Department of Recreation and Community Services

The City of Baldwin Park Department of Recreation and Community Services provides year-round recreation activities and community services to residents of Baldwin Park and surrounding communities. For additional information, please contact the

Department of Recreation and Community Services at (626) 813-5245.

About the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program funded by Prop 68

In 2018, California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), which directed $254.9 million to State Parks for competitive grants to create new parks and enhance recreational opportunities for all Californians. This is the state’s largest investment in grant funding history. The bond also provides funds for aging infrastructure, amenities and improvements to parks that will help attract new and diverse visitors.

• Press Release: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=712
• List of Round 3 awards: www.parks.ca.gov/sppr3