Despite calls from Mayor Ignacio Velazquez to ask for more neighborhood input before moving forward, the Hollister City Council on Dec. 1 voted 3-2 to accept an $102,358.50 grant and match it with $140,000 in park improvement funds to purchase playground equipment for three local parks. Interim Councilwoman Shari Stevenson joined Velazquez in voting against accepting the grant and paying the difference.
The playgrounds will be installed at Vista Park Hill, Las Brisas Park and the Jerry Gabe Memorial Park near the Hollister Airport.
Playground equipment at Park Hill was removed and not replaced in 2007 after a state inspection found it to be hazardous. All that remains at the site are two swings. In a report to council, Management Services Director Mike Chambless said the lack of facilities at the park led to a decrease in attendance and increase in crime in the area.
A company called Game Time Playground Equipment is providing a grant for a portion of the $204,717 cost of the three playgrounds, with the city paying the the rest. The largest set of equipment will be installed at Park Hill, which Chambless said “will once again make Park Hill a destination for families across the area. This will increase the use of the park and assist in reducing the crime rate.”
A broken slide at Las Brisas Park was reported to the city on Nov. 12 and the slide has been off limits since. Chambless said the play structure there “is dated and looks to be in distress.” At 26 years old, the equipment “is not in compliance with the latest safety regulations and replacement parts are not available for equipment of this age.”
The third playground will be installed at the airport park, which was created as a dog park. “The addition of the playground will appeal to all families who enjoy the facility,” Chambless said.
While not questioning the need to upgrade local parks, Velazquez encouraged the council to survey residents near the parks to see what type of equipment they would prefer at each site. He also noted that the city could spend the $140,000 in matching funds to upgrade twice as many parks.
“I think we’re better off asking the community what they want in their park,” he said, adding that it would be preferable “backing off a little bit and doing it right.”
City Manager William Avera encouraged the council to move forward with the matching funds plan and Councilman Raymond Friend said “We should pull the trigger today. Right now we have a safety issue and that’s what I’m concened about.”
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