Public input needed for grant application

At their March 23 meeting, the Board of Directors of Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District were presented with a new grant proposal from the City of Tehachapi Public Works Director Don Marsh.

Anyone who has been to TVRPD's West Park after a downpour knows that it has an open storm drain running through it resulting in difficulty for many who are trying to reach the ball fields and the district offices. Since the 1970s the city has owned an easement through West Park for that storm water channel. The channel carries water all the way from Highline Rd. to Maple and Curry to Mulberry (about 250 acres) through West Park, and down Mulberry to Tehachapi Blvd.

Marsh said the city is proposing to apply for the second cycle of the Clean California Local Grant Program. The program is entirely state funded and will be awarding $100 million in grants. The city was successful in the first cycle with the $2.1 million grant that will be used to develop Valley Park on Valley Blvd. near Aspen. The goal of the grant program is to enhance, rehabilitate, restore, beautify and improve public spaces; to enhance public health by improving public spaces for walking and recreation and to improve access to public spaces.

The new city grant proposes to eliminate the drainage channel at West Park and replace it with an underground storm drain and to make improvements to West Park including a new sewer and water line, new lighting, walkways and parking lot. Included in the proposal would be a prefabricated bathroom (replacing the port-a-potties) and a new concession stand. The cost of the project would be approximately $3 million.

Part of the grant application process requires public input and the city is asking the community to assist in this process. Please take a moment and complete the Clean California Cycle 2 Grant form and share your thoughts. The city needs responses by April 10. For more information email the City of Tehachapi at: [email protected].