AGENDA
ITEM
24 * CALES
AGENDA
CALEXICO California ITEM
WHERE CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO MEET
24 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 17, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
APPROVED BY: Benjamin A. Martinez, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Laura Bowen, Grants Manager
SUBJECT: Identification of Priority Parks for Future Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) Funding Opportunities.
-FA- SESSESSE ===
Recommendation:
1. Review the candidate parks identified by staff for future Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) funding consideration;
2. Approve Rodriguez Park, Rockwood Plaza Park, and Joel Reisen Park as the City's priority parks for future Statewide Park Program funding opportunities;
3. Alternatively, provide direction regarding other City parks that should be considered from the attached City of Calexico Park Inventory; and
4. Authorize staff to proceed with preliminary project development activities for the approved park(s) and, upon release of a future Statewide Park Program funding opportunity, conduct the required public outreach and community engagement activities and return to the City Council for authorization to submit a grant application.
5. Adopt Resolution approving Rodriguez Park, Rockwood Plaza Park, and Joel Reisen Park as the City's priority parks for future Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) funding opportunities.
Background:
The California Department of Parks and Recreation periodically administers the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), a competitive grant program that provides funding for the creation, expansion, and renovation of parks serving disadvantaged and park-deficient communities throughout California. Historically, eligible projects have included playground rehabilitation and replacement, installation of shade structures, ADA accessibility improvements, sports and recreational facilities, lighting improvements, irrigation systems, landscaping, urban greening improvements, community gathering spaces, trails, and other park-related infrastructure improvements. Previous funding rounds have prioritized projects that improve access to recreational opportunities, rehabilitate aging park infrastructure, increase accessibility, promote public health, and provide meaningful community benefits.
The City of Calexico maintains an extensive network of parks and recreational facilities that provide important recreational opportunities, gathering spaces, and quality-of-life benefits for residents throughout the community. Several parks contain aging infrastructure and facilities that may benefit from rehabilitation and modernization through future grant funding opportunities. Although a Statewide Park Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has not yet been released, early identification of priority candidate parks provides an opportunity to initiate preliminary planning, site assessments, conceptual project development, cost estimating, and other activities that may improve project readiness for future funding opportunities
Discussion and Analysis:
The City of Calexico maintains numerous parks and recreational facilities that serve neighborhoods throughout the community. Based on a review of the City's park inventory, existing facility conditions, recreational service areas, and potential eligibility under previous Statewide Park Program guidelines, staff identified Rodriguez Park, Rockwood Plaza Park, and Joel Reisen Park as strong candidates for future funding consideration.
Rodriguez Park was identified due to its role as one of the City's largest and most heavily utilized recreational facilities. The park serves youth sports organizations, community events, and residents from throughout Calexico. Rehabilitation of this facility has the potential to provide substantial community- wide benefits through improvements to recreational amenities, accessibility, safety, and overall park functionality. Rockwood Plaza Park was identified because of its location within a densely populated residential neighborhood and its importance as a neighborhood gathering space. The park presents opportunities to improve recreational amenities, expand shaded areas, enhance accessibility, and support public health and quality-of-life objectives for nearby residents. The site also presents opportunities for urban greening and heat mitigation improvements consistent with community needs.
Joel Reisen Park was identified due to its importance as a neighborhood-serving park and its potential to support equitable distribution of future park investments throughout the community. Improvements at this location could enhance recreational opportunities for nearby families while addressing aging infrastructure and accessibility needs.
In addition to their rehabilitation needs and potential eligibility for future funding, the three recommended parks provide geographic distribution throughout the City of Calexico. Rodriguez Park serves residents in the southern and central portions of the community, Rockwood Plaza Park serves residents in and around the downtown area, and Joel Reisen Park serves residents in the eastern portion of the City. Together, these parks provide opportunities to address recreational needs in multiple neighborhoods while promoting equitable access to future park improvements throughout the community. Staff identified these parks because they possess characteristics commonly emphasized in previous Statewide Park Program funding cycles, including service to disadvantaged communities, 2 rehabilitation of aging recreational facilities, opportunities to improve accessibility and recreational amenities, geographic distribution throughout the City, and the potential to provide meaningful community benefit. Staff recommends that the City Council approve Rodriguez Park, Rockwood Plaza Park, and Joel Reisen Park as the City's priority parks for future Statewide Park Program funding opportunities. These parks are being recommended as potential candidates only and do not represent final project selections. If future program guidelines allow multiple applications or multiple project sites, staff will evaluate opportunities to pursue funding for one or more of the approved parks. Alternatively, the City Council may provide direction regarding other parks identified in the attached City of Calexico Park Inventory. Approval of the recommended action does not authorize submission of a grant application and does not obligate the City to any future expenditure. Upon release of a future Statewide Park Program Notice of Funding Opportunity, staff will evaluate program requirements, conduct any required public outreach and community engagement activities, and return to the City Council with a separate request for authorization to submit one or more grant applications.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Approval of the priority parks does not obligate the City to submit a grant application, accept grant funding, expend local funds, or undertake construction activities. Should a future Statewide Park Program funding opportunity become available, staff will return to the City Council with a separate item requesting authorization to submit a grant application. The future staff report will identify the proposed project scope, estimated funding request, program requirements, local funding commitments, if any, and all related fiscal impacts.
Coordinated With:
City Manager's Office.
Public Works
Attachment(s):
1. City of Calexico Park Inventory and Facilities Summary.
2. Statewide Park Program (SPP) Overview and Eligibility Summary.
3. Summary of Potential Improvement Opportunities by Park.
4. Rodriguez Park Existing Conditions Photos.
5. Rockwood Plaza Park Existing Conditions Photos.
6. Joel Reisen Park Existing Conditions Photos.
7. Candidate Park Location Map.
8. Resolution
3 ATTACHMENT 1
City of Calexico Park Inventory and Facilities Summary
Number Neighborhood Parks
P1 Rodriguez Park
P2 Rockwood Plaza Park
P3 Joel Reisen Park
P4 Las Casitas Park
P5 Nosotros Park
P6 Ana Rosa Renison (Rancho Frontera) Park
P7 Heber Park
P8 Cordova Park
P9 Community Center Park
P10 Crummett/Camarena Park
P11 Kennedy Gardens Park
P12 Legion Park
P13 Cortez Park
P14 Daniel Gutierrez Park
P15 Rio Vista Park
P16 Border Park
P17 Lioness Park
P18 Rio Vista Park
Number Sports Fields and Recreation Facilities
SF1 Rodriguez Park Sports Complex
SF2 Nosotros Sports Complex
SF3 American Legion Field
SF4 Daniel Gutierrez Field
SF5 Alex Rivera Field
SF6 Fifth & Andrade Detention Basin Recreation Area
SF7 Community Center Recreation Area
Number Greenbelts and Open Space Areas
GB1 Villa Del Oro Retention Basin
GB2 South Birch Greenbelt
GB3 North Birch Greenbelt
GB4 Applebee's Greenbelt
GB5 Campillo Fountain
GB6 Andrea Avenue Greenbelts #1 and #2
GB7 Rosas Retention Basin
GB8 Campillo Retention Basin
GB9 Holiday Green Area
GB10 Meadows Green Area
GB11 Cole Boulevard Retention Basin
GB12 Camila Retention
ATTACHMENT 2
STATEWIDE PARK
DEVELOPMENT and
COMMUNITY
REVITALIZATION
PROGRAM
Month 2026
Round 5
DRAFT APPLICATION GUIDE
CAIRORAN CLIMATE BOND
PROP 4 • 2024
MATTE GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Office of Grants and Local Services
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
INTENT
The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) is a • competitive GRANT program that creates NEW PARKS and NEW RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES in CRITICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES across California.
LEGACY
Previously, Proposition 84 (2006 Bond Act), Proposition 68 (2018 Bond Act), and 2021/22 and 2023/24 State General Funds supported four ROUNDS of SPP:
$7.69 billion requested. $1.2 billion awarded.
180 NEW PARKS were/are being created, and 133 EXISTING PARKS were/are being EXPANDED or improved throughout California.
Proposition 4 (2024 Bond Act) passed on November 5, 2024, continues this program's legacy.
Projects funded by this proposition shall include signage informing the public that the project received funding from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. SPP legislation is found in Public Resources Code Sections 5640 through 5654. For more information, visit the California Natural Resources Agency's Proposition 4 Climate Bond webpage.
Proposition 4 requires at least ten percent (10%) of the total amount available per ROUND to fund RENOVATIONS of EXISTING PARKS for increased use and access, including, but not limited to, individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec.12101 et seq.).
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
• Cities
• Counties
• DISTRICTS
• JOINT POWERS AUTHORITIES (one member of the JOINT POWERS AUTHORITIES must be either an eligible DISTRICT, City, or County)
• NONPROFITS with 501(c)(3) status
1 PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
A PROJECT must involve either DEVELOPMENT or a combination of ACQUISITION and DEVELOPMENT to:
1. Create a NEW PARK, Or
2. RENOVATE an EXISTING PARK, Or
3. EXPAND an EXISTING PARK
The PROJECT SITE half-mile radius has:
• A ratio of less than three acres of parkland per 1,000 RESIDENTS OR
• A median household income that is less than 80% of the California median household income
OR
• PROJECT is within PROXIMITY to a CLIMATE VULNERABILITY(IES) APPLICANTS can check if their PROJECT is eligible with the Community FactFinder available under Community FactFinder Resources at www.parks.ca.gov/spp.
ACQUISITION
PROJECTS involving ACQUISITION of land must be:
• Combined with DEVELOPMENT of a new RECREATION FEATURE OR
• Already have a RECREATION FEATURE for public use at close of escrow ACQUISITION costs associated with condemnation or eminent domain are not eligible for reimbursement.
The land's sale price may be up to, but cannot exceed, the appraised fair market value. State funds may not be used in part or whole to acquire property above the appraised value.
If a PROJECT is awarded, the following grant administration guidance must be followed:
• Purchase price cannot exceed the appraised value, even if the GRANtEE is willing to pay the difference.
• Associated ACQuISITION costs, such as appraisals, escrow fees, title insurance, etc., are considered PRE-CONSTRUCTION COSTS, which are limited to 25% of the GRANT. • The GRANTEE must record a deed restriction on the property after the ACQUISITION iS complete.
• GRANTEE must provide title insurance.
ATTACHMENT 3
+OF CAST
CALEXICO California
CAL! WHERE CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO MEET
COUNTY. SMILIN
Summary of Potential Improvement Opportunities by Park
Park Potential Improvements
Playground rehabilitation, sports field improvements, shade structures, ADA upgrades, lighting improvements, irrigation upgrades, seating areas
Rodriguez
Park
Playground replacement, shade structures, urban greening, landscaping improvements, irrigation upgrades, lighting enhancements, ADA accessibility improvements
Rockwood
Plaza Park
Park Potential Improvements
Playground modernization, shade structures, irrigation
improvements, landscaping enhancements, lighting upgrades, ADA improvements, community gathering areas
Joel Reisen
Park
The potential improvements identified above are preliminary and intended for planning purposes only. Final project components would be determined through future public outreach, community engagement activities, project feasibility analysis, and Statewide Park Program requirements.
ATTACHMENT 4
RODRIGUEZ PARK EXISTING CONDITIONS PHOTOS
ATTACHMENT 5
ROCKWOOD PARK EXISTING CONDITIONS PHOTOS
ATTACHMENT 6
JOEL REISEN PARK EXISTING CONDITIONS PHOTOS
ATTACHMENT 7
Candidate Park Location Map
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ATTACHMENT 8
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-_
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALEXICO
APPROVING PRIORITY CANDIDATE PARKS FOR FUTURE STATEWIDE PARK
DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (SPP)
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
WHEREAS, the City of Calexico owns and maintains a network of parks and recreational facilities that provide important recreational opportunities, gathering spaces, and quality-of-life benefits for residents throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, several City parks contain aging infrastructure and facilities that may benefit from rehabilitation, modernization, accessibility improvements, and expanded recreational amenities; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Parks and Recreation periodically administers the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), a competitive grant program that provides funding for the creation, expansion, and renovation of parks serving disadvantaged and park-deficient communities throughout California; and WHEREAS, previous Statewide Park Program funding cycles have prioritized projects that improve access to recreational opportunities, rehabilitate aging park infrastructure, increase accessibility, promote public health, and provide meaningful community benefits; and WHEREAS, City staff reviewed the City of Calexico park inventory and identified Rodriguez.
Park, Rockwood Plaza Park, and Joel Reisen Park as parks possessing characteristics commonly emphasized in previous Statewide Park Program funding opportunities, including rehabilitation needs, opportunities to improve accessibility and recreational amenities, geographic distribution throughout the City, service to disadvantaged communities, and the potential to provide meaningful community benefit; and
WHEREAS, the recommended parks provide geographic distribution throughout the City and serve residents in multiple neighborhoods, thereby promoting equitable access to future park improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to identify priority candidate parks for future funding consideration and authorize preliminary project development activities in preparation for future Statewide Park Program funding opportunities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Calexico as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby approves Rodriguez Park, Rockwood Plaza Park, and Joel Reisen Park as the City's priority candidate parks for future Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program funding opportunities.
SECTION 2. The City Council authorizes staff to proceed with preliminary project development activities for the approved parks, including planning, site assessments, conceptual project development, cost estimating, and preparation for future public outreach and community engagement activities as may be required by future program guidelines.
SECTION 3. The City Council may provide direction regarding other City parks identified in the City of Calexico Park Inventory for future funding consideration.
SECTION 4. Upon release of a future Statewide Park Development and Community Kevitalızation Program funding opportunity, statt shall evaluate program requirements, conduct any required public outreach and community engagement activities, and return to the Cit Council with a separate request for authorization to submit one or more grant applications.
SECTION 5. Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as authorization to submit a grant application, accept grant funding, enter into a grant agreement, expend City funds, or undertake construction activities without further City Council approval.
SECTION 6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th of June 2026.
Victor Legaspi, Mayor
ATTEST:
Veronica Alvardo, City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
Laura Estrada, City Attorney
State of California)
County of Imperial) ss.
City of Calexico )
1, Veronica Alvarado, City Clerk of the City of Calexico do hereby certify the above Resolution No. 2026-_ _ was passed, approved and adopted at a regular City Council meeting held on the 17' day of June 2026, by the following vote to-wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Veronica Alvardo, City Clerk