Hollister
– After being open for nearly seven months, Hollister’s newest
park got a name this week.
Hollister – After being open for nearly seven months, Hollister’s newest park got a name this week.
The City Council Monday unanimously approved the name Valley View Park for the site at the intersection of Valley View Road and Driftwood Street. The park, previously known as the Southeast Area Park, opened in November after three years of work.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Community Services Director Clay Lee said. “I think it’s good that we finally have an official name to call the park by.”
When the park opened, the city solicited name suggestions from the public. Out of 13 submitted, the Hollister Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously chose Hollister resident Britney Churchill’s suggestion of Valley View Park, according to Lee. Churchill’s name was included in the resolution the council passed to make the new name official. Other suggestions included Wildwinds Park, Eden Gardens and VVSE Enteroad Park.
The 2.5-acre park has grassy areas, a playground and a water play area: a huge metal whale that shoots water from its blowhole and from surrounding fountains. State grants paid for $411,000 of the $618,000 park. The city kicked in the remaining $207,000 from its parks and recreation fund.
Maintenance of the park is suffering as Hollister struggles with low staff levels and a $3 million budget deficit. The grass has turned brown and weeds are taking over.
During Monday’s discussion about the park, Mayor Robert Scattini criticized the Community Services Department for the state of the park, calling it a disgrace.
“It’s a total embarrassment after all the money we spent on that park,” he said.
Lee said low water pressure initially made it difficult to irrigate the grass. The problem was solved recently, he said, and the park should start turning green again soon. As for the weeds, Lee cited his small staff and said the long rainy season has pushed back weed abatement efforts.
“Unfortunately it’s one of a number of parks, and we have few bodies,” he told the council.
After the meeting, Lee said the city’s seven park workers are responsible for maintaining about nine parks, local baseball fields, the Hollister Community Center and about seven miles of sound walls.
Council members during the meeting acknowledged that the Community Services Department was understaffed.
There have also been problems with the water play area. The pipes that bring water to the fountains are broken. Steve Wittry, interim director of the Engineering Department, said the pipes are under warranty. He said the city is working with the contractor to get the pipe problems resolved.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
