Monrovia Awarded Grant For Lucinda Garcia Park Improvements

MONROVIA, CA — The City of Monrovia was awarded a $675,000 grant to expand and improve Lucinda Garcia Park through the California Department of Parks and Recreation 2019 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, the City announced Wednesday.

Monrovia is one of 52 agencies to receive the grant, funded by Proposition 68, the State Park Bond Program. The Department received 478 applications, totaling $2.3 billion in requests with only $254.9 million available to distribute, the City news release said.

"Having beautiful and accessible neighborhood parks enhances the community and makes life better," Mayor Tom Adams said. "Over the years, Lucinda Garcia Park has been well-loved and as a result is experiencing normal wear and tear, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance our neighborhood park by turning it back into a premier amenity for all to enjoy."

Monrovia held several community outreach events in the neighborhood surrounding Lucinda Garcia Park to discuss proposed upgrades to the facility when applying for the grant.

The City said the funds will go towards achieving the following goals:

• Expanding the park to the open space area located at the west end of the facility
• Replacing and upgrading the play equipment
• Adding all fall safety surfacing at the playground area
• Installing exercise circuit equipment along the pathway at the park
• Repairing the pathway
• Upgrading the landscaping at the park
• Installing interpretive signage on the history of Lucinda Garcia and the park
• Installing a demonstration garden with drought tolerate and native species

Lucinda Garcia Park is at 502 W. Olive Avenue, Monrovia, California. The park offers picnic tables, barbecues, drinking fountains, a walking trail loop around the park and playground equipment.