After three years of eager anticipation, construction is
complete and the Southeast Area park is about to open for fun.
The city had hoped to open the park in August, but the grass
seed didn’t take. A month ago a portion of the grass had to be
re-seeded, according to Hollister Associate Civil Engineer David
Rubcic.
Hollister – After three years of eager anticipation, construction is complete and the Southeast Area park is about to open for fun.
The city had hoped to open the park in August, but the grass seed didn’t take. A month ago a portion of the grass had to be re-seeded, according to Hollister Associate Civil Engineer David Rubcic.
Tomorrow there will be an 11am ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park, located on Driftwood Street between Valley View Road and Mimosa Street. Rubcic said that officials hope residents will attend and offer suggestions for a new name.
The 2.5-acre park is the only one in Hollister with a water play area – a huge metal whale surrounded by sensor-activated fountains that squirts water from the tail and blowhole. Rubcic said the water will be on for Saturday and kept it on until the recent minor heat wave ends. The park also has a rope climbing feature and swings. People have already been enjoying the park since Wednesday, when the fences came down, said Rubcic, who has been working to develop the park since 2002.
“It’s nice to see something I’ve been involved for so long come to fruition and to see people enjoy it,” he said.
State grants paid $411,000 of the project costs, which totaled about $618,000. The city parks and recreation fund kicked in the remaining $207,000.
The city’s 2002 general plan called for a park to be built in the Valley View subdivision sometime between 2007 and 2012, according to Rubcic, but after holding several well-attended community meetings later that year, it was evident the park was a bigger priority than expected.
The Hollister City Council approved the plans in January after a long planning process in which subdivision residents participated.
“I’m excited that it’s finally done for the community, that they finally have their park,” District 5 Councilwoman Monica Johnson said.
The Southeast Area Park master plan calls for a five-acre park. Rubcic said that the remaining 2.5 acres might include paths, a play area for small children and a half-court basketball court.
