Assembly Speaker Rivas, Monterey County officials reopen Pajaro Park after 2023 floods

Monterey County and state leaders on Thursday celebrated the reopening of Pajaro Park after repairs funded through a $20 million California Assembly Bill 102 allocation, officials said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Through this $20 million grant allocation what began as an urgent response grew into a commitment to rebuilding, stabilizing, and strengthening the community for the long term," Kelsey Scandlin, director of Monterey County Department of Emergency Management, told the crowd. Scandlin said county staff partnered with nonprofit groups and local organizations to deliver assistance programs, award nonprofit grants and restore public infrastructure.

County and district officials credited AB 102 funding and local collaboration for the park work. Judy Velasquez, general manager of the Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District, said the project included repairing soccer turf, refurbishing playground equipment and adding new park features. Brian Flores, chief of Monterey County Parks Division, said the park and playground work totaled about $990,000.

Officials also described broader recovery efforts supported by the AB 102 allocation. Scandlin said the county partnered with Catholic Charities and Community Bridges to establish individual assistance for households, created a business recovery and beautification program, worked with community foundations to offer nonprofit grants, and conducted street, lighting and library flood repairs. She said the county distributed roughly 1,000 preparedness "go kits" and ran community preparedness events.

Public-safety upgrades were highlighted at the ceremony. Chief Joel Mendoza of the North Monterey County Fire Protection District said the district acquired new flood- and rescue-specific equipment through AB 102 funding and that "10 of our firefighters are now fully certified in swiftwater and flood water rescue," which the district said will shorten response times for local flooding incidents.

Supporters at the event emphasized community-led decision-making. Supervisor Glenn Church said residents participated in multiple meetings to choose projects funded by the allocation, and he described the funding as creating "a template for how underserved and disaster-stricken communities can be taken care of." Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said the reopening was "about something very simple but very meaningful: the reopening of this very important park," and praised the partnership of state, county and local organizations.

Organizers said more work remains: attendees were told that library repairs, paving on Selenus Road and other infrastructure work are planned, and that the $20 million allocation does not end ongoing recovery efforts. The program concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and brief closing remarks.

Officials provided these figures and program descriptions during public remarks at the reopening; no formal votes or policy actions were recorded at the event.