Parks report: fees and fund balances outlined as city adds 30 parks in 2025

Parks and Recreation staff presented the annual park-fee dedication report, explaining how the program funds park amenities and improvements across the city.

Carla Chavez said the park dedication ordinance (adopted 1989) requires residential subdivisions to dedicate parkland or pay fees; as summarized by staff, the fee for a single-family dwelling is $1,370, for multifamily units $680, and nonresidential subdivisions pay $1,000 per acre. The department deposits fees into park-zone accounts tied to the subdivision's location; Chavez presented unallocated balances for the main park zones, including Northwest ($1,300,000), Mission Valley ($558,840), Northeast ($487,630) and Central ($21,425).

Chavez described how fees are used to provide park improvements (playground surfaces, lighting, irrigation, shade canopies and other amenities), to complement underfunded approved park projects, and to acquire and develop parkland. She said the city added 30 new parks in 2025 totaling 28.65 acres and listed several projects completed or underway, such as upgraded playground surfacing, solar lighting at Modesto Gomez Park and a new concrete stage at San Jacinto Plaza.

Commissioners asked how ongoing operating costs (such as irrigation) are funded; Chavez said once parkland is transferred to the city, parks and recreation pays water and maintenance costs. Staff invited neighborhood groups to discuss private donations and partnerships for additions to existing parks.