Councilman invites the public to discuss McCarthy Street Park

The public is invited to attend a meeting hosted by Hollister City Councilman Ray Friend, San Andreas High School principal David Burke and local architect David Huboi to share ideas and request feedback from community members to improve McCarthy Street Park. The meeting will be held at San Andreas High School on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. 

Architect David Huboi will lead a community visioning process — or design charrette — during the public meeting, which is an intense period of design or planning activity based on feedback from those in attendance. 

In December, about 20 students from San Andreas High expressed an interest in learning how local government works on their behalf. They met with Friend during their lunch period and provided input about what types of equipment and facilities, such as handball courts, soccer field or community garden would benefit them on a daily basis for P.E. and recreation.

Flyers in Spanish and English were distributed to neighbors within a 500-foot radius of the park on Saturday, Jan. 28, inviting them to attend the public meeting and share their ideas to redevelop McCarthy Street Park. There was a high level of interest and feedback from many of the neighbors who live near the park.

According to Friend, the basketball court was already planned to be re-paved and one of the missing basketball hoops replaced. And he stated that there are budgeted funds to improve the park and said city staff is receptive to feedback from the community to envision a safe and functional park space that may include an amphitheater for festivals, special events and community concerts. 

Lisa Faulkner, executive director of First 5 San Benito, recently shared an article from The Atlantic magazine citing a playground in Oakland as an example of a city park with features that help babies learn to talk and read.

Community members who cannot attend but are interested in discussing ideas with Councilman Ray Friend may contact him by phone at (831) 313-3099 or email at: ray.friend@hollister.ca.gov.