This is what the new playground at Redwood Park will look like (kinda) | Images/ photos from the City of Arcata, except where noted
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If you’re a parent, you know how kids get when they can’t go to their favorite playground. So those who frequent Redwood Park will be happy to know that the park’s new playground equipment is on its way and should be ready to be climbed on by rambunctious children before the end of October.
Emily Sinkhorn, environmental services director for the City of Arcata, told the Outpost that the Redwood Park Playground Improvement Project is right on track, with the repaving nearly done and the playground surfacing and equipment expected to be installed on the week of Oct. 9.
The City has been planning these improvements for a while now, and you might remember that last year the community was asked to weigh in on the new playground design through an online survey. Out of the eight different options, the theme that gained the most votes was “castle adventures,” and after taking the survey results to the Parks and Recreation Committee and gathering the committee’s feedback, city staff worked with contracting firm Miracle Playsystems to come up with a castle-themed playground that would work for the park.
What the park looks like right now | Photo: Stephanie McGeary
Once complete, the playground will include two new play structures – one for 2 through 5-year-olds and a larger structure for five to 12-year-olds – as well as a new swingset, a spinneround and an inclusive whirl, which is one of those ground-level spinning circles that is accessible for people in wheelchairs. The playground will be resurfaced with unitary surfacing, which is soft, shock-absorbent and wheelchair accessible. The surfacing includes a river design with three-dimensional fish and rock sculptures sticking out.
The project also includes the installation of a pump track – a special type of track for wheeled sports equipment that doesn’t require pushing or pedaling, but rather a pumping motion, to maintain momentum. The tracks include a series of rollers, which are the bumps in the track, and berms, which are the curved corners of the track. The track was designed with help from the Redwood Coast Mountain Biking Association and is similar to the pump track in Fortuna’s Newburg Park. Sinkhorn said the track is also expected to be complete in October and has already been built, but still needs to be paved.
Sinkhorn wanted to thank families for their patience through this process (she knows how much kids love their playgrounds) and is glad that there are a lot of other neighborhood parks in Arcata where people can take kids to play.
Above: the pump track in process at Redwood Park. Below: the complete pump track in Fortuna
Of course, there is something special about Redwood Park and its setting among the beautiful redwood trees of the Arcata Community Forest, and Sinkhorn said she is very excited to have the playground accessible to the public again.
“We’re really excited to unveil the results,” Sinkhorn said, adding that there will be an announcement and probably a ceremony as soon as the playground is ready to reopen next month.
Scroll down for more image renderings of the future playground and/ or view the full design plans here.
Caltrans invites the local community to share their input about the proposed gateway monuments in Manila.
Gateway monuments have been considered for placement along SR-255 for visibility in both directions. The purpose is to greet motorists to the community and remind them to adjust their speed and care for the residential area.
Community engagement and feedback is an important part of project development to ensure local voices are being heard throughout the process.
The public is encouraged to take the online survey about the need, location and design for the proposed project.
You can find the survey at tinyurl.com/ManilaGatewaySurvey. Be sure to visit and let your voice be heard about this community project.
The survey will be open until Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Simulation.
About the Campaign:
Clean California State Beautification projects are made possible through Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.2 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and engage communities to transform public spaces. Since 2021, the program has removed 1.4 million cubic yards of trash, created 3,500 jobs, and awarded $300 million in local grants. Visit CleanCA.com to learn more about how Clean California is transforming communities and educating the public.
Northbound Option 1: Near Vance Ave. Parklet. Northbound Option 2: Pullout South of Pacific Ave. Southbound Option 1: Old Mill Entrance. Southbound Option 2: Near Young Lane. Southbound Option 3: South of Stamps Ln.
Clean CA Program Coordinator for Caltrans District 1, Julia Peterson, leads a brief presentation Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, about the Manila Gateway Monument State Beautification Project proposal.
On September 15, 2023 at approximately 5:42 a.m., Officers with the Eureka Police
Department were dispatched to the 500 block of N Street on a report of an active
assault occurring in the street. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim who
was suffering from significant head injuries, what appeared to be a broken arm, and the
end of one finger had been bitten off. Officers immediately summoned medical aid to
the scene.
Officers also located the suspect nearby who appeared to have a dislocated shoulder.
Both individuals were transported to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment. The victim’s
injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
EPD Detectives and Evidence Technicians responded to the scene and to the hospital to
process the evidence. Upon completion of their initial investigation it was determined
the suspect, Luigi Rocco Messina (29 years old/Transient), had a prior disagreement with
the victim, left the victim’s location and then returned with a large piece of a Redwood
limb and assaulted the victim with the intention of killing him. Messina and the victim
are acquaintances.
Messina was arrested and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for
Attempted Homicide, Mayhem, and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Messina is
currently being held without bail.
A 9.5-megawatt floating wind turbine deployed at the Kincardine Offshore Wind project, located off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland. Photo: Principle Power
In our interview – conducted via email – Rob Mastria, Humboldt Offshore Wind project director for RWE, and Ciara Emery, RWE’s local government and stakeholder engagement manager, address some of the concerns surrounding floating offshore wind and talk about the community benefits that will come along with it.
Mastria has worked on the development of renewable energy projects – primarily in onshore and offshore wind – for the last 15 years. Before joining RWE, he served as the development director of the South Fork Wind Project currently under construction on the East Coast. Emery has spent the last decade living and working in Humboldt County, as a student at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) and as a field representative for Congressman Jared Huffman’s office.
Our conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
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LoCO: First, can you tell me a bit about RWE and the company’s history in renewable energy and offshore wind?
Rob Mastria | Contributed
Rob Mastria: RWE is a top-tier renewables company in the U.S. and a global leader in offshore wind with a focus on decarbonization and sustainability. Our two decades of experience in offshore wind has resulted in 19 offshore wind farms globally. Now, we are bringing our expertise to communities on the East, West and Gulf Coasts to build our clean energy future.
LoCO: RWE placed one of the winning bids for the two leases within the Humboldt Wind Energy Area at the end of last year. Of course, it’s a little early to talk specifics but tell me about your vision for offshore wind on the West Coast.
Mastria: California has a remarkable opportunity to meet its ambitious climate targets (like reaching net zero by 2045), become a global leader in floating offshore wind and reshape regional economies – like Humboldt’s – through the development of these lease areas. The North Coast is unique in its character, communities and history, and this project will be a critical component of the state’s efforts to establish a floating offshore industry. Our vision for California is to unleash the benefits of offshore wind by developing one of the nation’s first large-scale floating wind projects in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner that benefits the community and the state for decades to come.
LoCO: Can you also talk about some of the floating offshore wind projects RWE has developed to date? What were some of the challenges you encountered during the planning process and how were those issues resolved?
Mastria: As I mentioned, California’s floating offshore wind developments will be some of the first large-scale projects. However, decades of experience in offshore wind development, combined with in-house engineering expertise, extensive supply chain engagement and participation in leading joint-industry projects, has positioned RWE at the forefront of innovation in the floating market. RWE also has several high-profile, floating offshore wind demonstrations that are currently operational in Europe. Insights from these demonstrations – coupled with our research and expertise – will inform the best methods, materials and technologies needed to successfully deploy floating offshore wind, while helping to drive down the costs and risks associated with advancing an industry in California.
LoCO: I imagine you’re still getting to know our community, but where is your present focus on offshore wind development in Humboldt?
Ciara Emery | Contributed
Ciara Emery: Community members and North Coast residents have been considering offshore wind energy off the coast of Humboldt County for several years now. The Redwood Coast Energy Authority in particular has played a critical role in engaging the local community on our energy future. RWE’s first steps are focused on becoming a good neighbor and building relationships early. Getting projects of this scale online is a long process that requires collaboration every step of the way. Deepening our engagement locally and building a foundation will help ensure the project generates long-term benefits for the community.
LoCO: As I’m sure you can imagine, there are concerns surrounding offshore wind development on the North Coast. Our community wants to know that offshore wind developers are willing to work with the community throughout this process to ensure that the projects are the best projects they can be. They want to be reassured that developers are going to include tribal communities, fishermen, environmental advocacy groups, and local governments every step of the way. Can you speak to that?
Emery: I hear that from the community every day and it’s exactly why we’re committed to building a collaborative development process. Our ambition is to ensure every voice is heard, and RWE is hiring staff locally in Humboldt – starting with myself – that will frequently engage with community groups, businesses, Tribal organizations and governments, educational institutions and local fisheries. To date, our team has met with over 50 individual organizations, Tribal governments and elected officials in the region and we’ll continue to foster an ongoing dialogue through each project phase. We recently had a wonderful discussion with Arcata Sunrise Rotary – even though it was at their regular 7 a.m. meeting, the early hour didn’t prevent members from having a robust conversation about what they might want to see through this development process. Their energy was infectious and really exciting.
LoCO: I know some people are concerned about the newness of floating offshore wind energy technology. Some folks feel there hasn’t been enough research into the potential consequences of the technology. Can you speak to that point as well?
Mastria: Though floating offshore wind is new, particularly in the U.S., there are decades of research and real-world demonstrations that show this technology is a viable, safe and efficient alternative to greenhouse-gas-emitting energy sources. Current projects in Europe and Asia are generating power on a megawatt-scale, and recent expansion of floating offshore wind projects is expected to increase power generation to the gigawatt scale in the next 10-20 years. Our floating offshore wind demonstrations in Europe – including TetraSpar off the coast of Norway and DemoSATH off the coast of Spain – also provide direct experience with this technology and arm us [with] insights that will inform its deployment in the U.S. We’re traveling to these demonstration projects with community members so they have firsthand exposure to floating offshore wind and better understand what it could look like off the North Coast too.
It’s important to remember that all industrial-scale infrastructure technology was new at some point, but that doesn’t mean we should overlook the potential benefits of investing in and growing such vital projects. Recent public investments into the development of this technology in the U.S. prove that both the state and federal governments understand the importance of including floating offshore wind in our nation’s growing renewable energy portfolio.
LoCO: Our local fishing fleet also has concerns about how the offshore wind development will affect their grounds. Over the years, their fishing grounds have gotten smaller and smaller due to increased regulations around commercial fishing. Can you talk about how RWE has worked with commercial fishermen on other projects to alleviate some of these concerns? How will that inform your conversations here?
Emery: RWE is utilizing the experience we’ve gained on the East Coast working closely with local and regional fishermen to inform our approach on the West Coast. Our fisheries team has already engaged in more than 40 interactions with the local Northern California fishing industry and is coordinating closely with the fisheries to avoid, minimize and mitigate any potential impacts related to the Humboldt project.
On the East Coast, we have engaged in proactive outreach to more than 500 fisheries within the New York Bight lease area, in coordination with our local fisheries advisors, to establish an open dialogue with ocean users that might be operating within or transiting through the lease area. We have hired two local fisheries representatives and are working with local onboard fisheries liaisons who will be managing survey vessel communications with the local fishing fleet. Additionally, we conducted a pre-survey risk assessment to avoid areas with high seasonal concentrations of fixed gear.
RWE’s work on the West Coast will mirror this comprehensive approach. We understand that coexistence with fisheries means having a thriving fishing industry in Humboldt and look forward to working collaboratively to achieve successful outcomes for fisheries and offshore wind energy.
LoCO: Another concern that frequently comes up in conversations surrounding wind energy are potential impacts to whales and birds. What has RWE done in the past/plans to do in the future to mitigate these concerns?
Mastria: Our experience in the industry has shown us that offshore wind, fisheries and other ocean users can coexist. Assessing and mitigating potential marine impacts is essential to our work as a responsible community partner, and we take the health and well-being of marine mammals and other protected species very seriously. We will staff each vessel with third-party protected species observers to minimize potential interactions, implement requirements to halt survey and development activities if marine life is found within a certain distance of the survey work, and review and approve survey plans before operations commence to ensure that offshore wind development efforts are environmentally safe.
LoCO: Can you also talk a bit about Community Benefits Agreements and how RWE will work with the community to develop the agreement? What does that process look like? And can you talk about previous experiences in developing community benefits agreements?
Emery: Community Benefits Agreements will be a cornerstone of RWE’s partnership with the Humboldt community. While many people are excited for this new industry to materialize, we need to remember that we are still at the beginning of the beginning. We are committed to ongoing collaboration with Tribal Nations and local communities to understand the unique needs and the most impactful potential benefits. The project’s long runaway allows for this robust dialogue and will help drive CBAs that are reflective of the region’s priorities.
LoCO: Again, it’s probably too early to talk specifics, but how will RWE work with the other lease area developer – Vineyard Offshore – throughout the planning process? For example, will the two lease areas use the same technology?
Mastria: RWE actively collaborates with other developers to address shared issues, propose solutions and overcome industry-level barriers. We are and will continue to collaborate with the Vineyard Offshore team to better understand the needs of the Humboldt Wind Energy Area. While the specific technology we will be using to develop our respective projects is still being explored, we are committed to working with our regional partners to help ensure these projects are safe, efficient and deliver clean power to California.
LoCO: What’s next for RWE and the Humboldt Wind Energy Area?
Mastria: One of RWE’s biggest priorities has been the establishment of a central procurement framework for offshore wind energy in California. We are elated that appears to be moving in the right direction with recent updates to AB 1373, and we hope for passage of this bill before the end of this legislative session. We are also closely following the transmission planning process that is evaluating new transmission lines in Humboldt County so that we are able to connect our floating wind project to the bulk electric system.
(Note: AB 1373, which would create a process for offshore wind procurement and increase grid reliability across the state, passed the California Senate in a 29-10 vote on Thursday.
“AB 1373 provides the clarity needed to propel California’s offshore wind market forward,
paving the way for significant investments in yet another innovative new industry for the
state,” Sam Eaton, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, said in a prepared statement. “Central procurement will improve energy reliability, create good jobs and revitalize
regional economies – all while helping the state achieve its climate goals. Thank you to
the Governor, Speaker and President Pro Tem for their work to realize the potential of
offshore wind for California.”
Next, the bill will head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for approval.)
Emery: We’re also working on opening a local office and will be hiring additional team members in the area. I’m looking forward to expanding our local relationships and hearing from the community.
LoCO: Thank you both very much for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you’d like to add or share?
Mastria: We at RWE are excited to be working on this project – and excited for the future of the floating industry in California broadly. Northern California, and the Humboldt area specifically, has an opportunity to establish itself as the leader in floating offshore wind. While we are in the very early stages of project development and there is much work to be done to establish the central procurement marketplace, build out new transmission capacity, upgrade port facilities, establish new supply chains and train a new workforce, it’s a very energizing time to be in the offshore wind industry. We are proud to help bring these generational investments to the region.
Emery: Humboldt County is a special place, and our initial outreach has been very positive. The community will continue to see us around, so please say hello!
The Arcata Police Department responded to Arcata High School this morning upon receiving a report of a possible threat to a school that was circulating on social media. Officers determined the threat to be unspecified and the account that posted the threat had been hacked.
The Arcata Police Department thanks the local community for reporting the posts and being vigilant in regards to our community and student safety.
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Another statement about the debunked threats from Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a social media post circulating in our community regarding a threat to schools. Deputies have determined this threat to not be credible. The post does not appear to have originated locally and is reportedly going viral, with law enforcement across the nation also receiving reports of the same message.
We would like to thank the community, parents and our local school districts for quickly alerting us to this post and for your cooperation during this investigation. We take all threats to our community seriously and patrol our local schools regularly to ensure the safety of students and staff. Please continue to report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Sept. 12, 2023, at about 8:08 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies in the area of the 1200 block of Hatchery Road near Blue Lake were contacted by an adult female victim reporting an assault.
The victim told deputies that over the weekend she had been physically assaulted and removed from her residence against her will by her partner, 54-year-old James Carlton Mason. Following this incident, Mason reportedly left the residence and then returned later in the day. Upon his return, Mason reportedly again assaulted the victim. The victim sustained serious injuries and was privately transported to a local hospital for medical care.
On September 15 at about 12:08 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies observed a vehicle associated with Mason parked outside a trailer at an RV Park in Orick. Deputies located Mason sleeping inside the vehicle. Mason was taken into custody without incident and was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted murder (PC 664/187(a)), inflicting corporal injury on a spouse (PC 273.5(a)), criminal threats (PC 422) and kidnapping (PC 207(a)), in addition to warrant charges of false identification to a peace officer (PC 148.9(a)), driving with a suspended license (VC 14601.5) and driving without a license (VC 12500).
As of today’s date, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has investigated over 340 domestic violence cases in 2023. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, harassment, or harm from your partner, or think that you might be, you are not alone. Help is available. To speak with someone immediately and find resources for help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” to “88788”. For local assistance, contact the Humboldt Domestic Violence Services 24-hour support line at (707) 443-6042, toll free at (866) 668-6543, or visit https://hdvs.org/.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department release:
The University Police Department is advising the Cal Poly Humboldt community to be on the alert for an individual who exhibited erratic behavior on campus this morning. UPD is investigating the incident and working with Arcata police to locate the subject.
At approximately 8:45 a.m., the man inappropriately engaged with a student near Library circle. He was last seen boarding a bus and was confirmed to have been dropped off in Eureka.
The individual is described as a Hispanic male, 20-33 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches, 260-270 pounds, with black buzz-cut hair. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and blue jeans. He may go by the name “Tino.”
UPD is seeking to identify the subject as well as speak with another student who reported having a similar encounter with the individual.
If you see or encounter the individual on campus, do not engage with him and please contact University Police immediately by calling 911, (707) 826-5555 or extension 5555 from any campus phone.
