(InEDC) BY Crs Alarcon Published: September 18, 2023
Good morning, I’m Cris Alarcon reporting from Diamond Springs, California where a proposed community park project is making waves in the local area. The project aims to develop a park that will provide a range of recreational activities for the community, nearby schools, and sports leagues.
The planned park will cover a vast area, with the western and central portion of the site being graded for active uses. Unfortunately, this means that existing vegetation will need to be removed. However, the portion of the site east of the existing creek will be left untouched.
To ensure the park is fully equipped to cater to the community’s needs, the project includes important provisions. Lighting will be installed throughout, including pole-mounted lighting in the parking lots and sports lighting for the ballfields. Additionally, native and drought-tolerant landscaping will be implemented, ensuring the park remains environmentally friendly. Utilities are also being planned to support the park’s facilities.
But that’s not all – this project goes beyond just offering recreational amenities. The design of the park has been coordinated with the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, the Diamond Springs – El Dorado Fire Protection District, and El Dorado County Emergency Preparedness and Response. The aim is to improve the county’s resiliency and reduce vulnerability in the face of emergencies and natural disasters, such as wildfires and flooding.
As a result, the project is incorporating infrastructure that can support emergency operations and disaster planning. This includes designing the vehicular access, circulation, and utility connections to accommodate the potential occupation of evacuees during emergency events.
The proposed project is set to occupy approximately 40 acres of land and is located just 2 miles south of Highway 50 and 3.8 miles southwest of the City of Placerville. The park will be easily accessible via Oak Dell Road, which connects to Highway 49. It’s worth noting that Charles F. Brown Elementary School is located adjacent to the project site on the west side, while Union Mine High School and Pacific Crest Academy can be found directly southwest of the site.
The conceptual park design includes the following:
• Ballfields (soccer fields, softball fields);
• Basketball courts;
• Tennis/sports courts;
• Play areas (ages 2-5/5-12);
• Recreational/indoor gym;
• Pedestrian trails;
• Designated parking areas;
• restrooms/concessions, and open turf.
Notice of Availability of the 45-day Public Review of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Diamond Springs Community Park Project from the County of El Dorado, Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division is available at: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/Parks/Documents/NOA_DSCP_090623_FINAL.pdf
In summary, this community park project has grand ambitions of providing much-needed recreational opportunities while also ensuring the community is equipped to handle emergencies and natural disasters. With its centralized location and multi-use amenities, it’s clear that this proposed project has the potential to become a valued asset for the Diamond Springs community. Reporting from Diamond Springs, this is Cris Alarcon signing off.
