Eureka’s 20/30 Park —on Pine Street in the West Side neighborhood — will soon be seeing a major upgrade, thanks to a $6,393,200 California State Parks grant funded by prop 68.

The grant — part of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program —is designed to provide funding for “underserved communities,” according to the California Parks and Recreation website.

Out of hundreds of applicants, Eureka Community Services Director and park enthusiast Miles Slattery told the Outpost today, Eureka was one of 52 recipients.

After holding several public meetings and asking community members what they wanted to see for the park, the city came up with a design concept that Slattery is very proud of.

Planned improvements include upgrades to the Jacob Hanley baseball field, the addition of ADA accessible playgrounds, new trails, a new volleyball court, new basketball court, new tennis court, a “fitness station,” and the addition of three parking lots.

“It’s quite pimp,” Slattery told the Outpost.

Find more information in this press release from the City of Eureka:

California State Parks has awarded the City of Eureka’s 20/30 Park with $6,393,200 for park improvements. California State Parks received 478 applications requesting $2.3 billion in funding. With only $254.9 million available, only 62 projects were funded, making Eureka very fortunate to receive this competitive grant. In 2018, California voters passed Prop 68, which directed $254.9 million to State Parks for competitive grants to create new parks and enhance recreational opportunities for all Californians. This is the state’s largest investment in grant funding history targeted for underserved communities and the City of Eureka is excited to announce major improvements planned due to this generous funding opportunity.

Planned park improvements are based on a robust community engagement process where community members shared concerns regarding safety, access, walkability, recreational amendments, and inclusion.

The 20/30 park project reflects major renovation plans including: construction of a new volleyball court, basketball/roller hockey court, pickleball/tennis court, open space field, inclusive playground for ages 0 - 5, inclusive playground for ages 5 - 12, fitness stations, picnic area, ADA multi-use path, restroom building, concessions/storage building, 3 parking lots, with landscaping and lighting throughout the park. In addition, the Jacob-Haney ballfield will have all of the bleachers, scorer’s table, dugouts, and drainage renovated along with new automated irrigation, and parking improvements. The attached conceptual design is a direct result of community feedback and engagement.

Construction is tentatively slated to begin Spring 2021 and should be finished by Fall 2021.