Safe Play Initiative
Site proposals for a new playground in
Merced
Overview
• Funding Opportunity
• Evaluation of Need
• Proposed Project Sites
• Request for Direction
First 5 Goal- Using parks to increase health in community • No required
income or
demographic
eligibility
• Must address
barriers to
health
Community Need- Increased play through Playgrounds
Method
Split City at Bear Creek based off population
Results
Population Totals -
Total Population as of 2020 – 86,208
South of Bear Creek: 43,195
North of Bear Creek: 43,013
Playground Structures –
Total – 39 Structures
South of Bear Creek: 21 Structures
North of Bear Creek: 18 Structures
Number of Residents per Playground
South of Bear Creek- 2,057 residents per
playground
North of Bear Creek- 2,390 residents per
playground
Project Focus
to address Goal
• All Inclusive- beyond ADA
Playground
• Multi-generational
encouraging use by children
of all ages and caregivers
• Capitalize on existing park
spaces, plans, and resources
Potential Sites
• General Vang Pao Park
• Aletha June Playground
• $400,000 from First 5
• Up to $805,000 from Park
Reserve
• Community Park 42
• New Sports Complex Playground
• $300,000 from First 5
Aletha June Playground @ General Vang Pao Park
• Pros
• Playground already dedicated to
ADA theme and named after a
local Hero- Aletha June
• Evens out the number of
residents per playground across
city
• Funding not typically available
for parks in this area due to
income requirements
• Invites visitors from out of the
area to view a historic site
(namesakes)
• Cons
• Limitations for ADA parking
• Site does not have restroom
and would require $200,000-
$250,000 of budget to build
• More funding needs to be
spent on infrastructure
(lighting, parking, restroom)
but would be supported by
Park Reserve. Would include a
request for $805,000 from
Park Reserve Fund
• Pros
• Compliments plans for sports
complex already in place
• Site has restrooms and ADA
parking in preexisting plan for
phase 1
• Proximity to Campus Parkway
and HWY 99
• Playground will require less
money to build as result of
allocation to CP42
New Sports Complex Playground @ CP-42
• Cons
• Site is an option for other
grants that General Vang Pao
Park and Aletha June
Playground is not
• Can be amplified by several
other grant opportunities that
other site cannot
Request for Direction
1. Submit proposal for $400,000
towards the development of General
Vang Pao Park- Aletha June
Playground
2. Submit proposal for $300,000 towards
the development of Community Park 42
Playground
Project Focus
All Inclusive- beyond ADA Playground
Multi-generational- encouraging use by children of all ages and caregivers Capitalize on existing park spaces- increasing access to playground by using existing parks