CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
Pioneer Park Property
1910 Riverside Avenue | Portion of APN 008-254-003
Surplus Land Act Update • Staff Recommendation to Retain the Property City Council Staff Report
BACKGROUND
The Property Today
Property boundary shown in blue
71,874 SF
Approximately 1.65 acres, improved with a public park (Pioneer Park) Restrooms
Existing public facility on site
Small parking lot
Shared access off Riverside Avenue
Skate park
Unique community amenity
2 SURPLUS LAND ACT COMPLIANCE
How We Got Here
Government Code § 54220 et seq. (as amended by AB 1486, effective Jan. 1, 2020) requires this process before disposing of surplus public land. 1 NOV 18, 2025
Council Declares
Surplus Land
Resolution 25-130 finds the Property
non-exempt surplus land and
approves the Notice of Availability.
2 LATE 2025
Notice Sent — 3
Responses
HASLO, the Pioneer Museum
Foundation, and the Fairgrounds
respond. Only HASLO proposes
housing.
3 90+ DAYS
Good-Faith Negotiations
The City and HASLO negotiate beyond
the statutory 90-day minimum on
price and terms.
4 NEGOTIATIONS END
No Agreement Reached
The parties are unable to reach
mutually satisfactory terms.
Negotiations conclude — no sale.
5 JUL 3, 2026
HCD Confirms
Compliance
The CA Dept. of Housing &
Community Development confirms
the City met all SLA requirements.
The City retains the option to sell,
lease, or continue to hold the
Property.
APPRAISED FAIR MARKET VALUE
$1,690,000 As of the most recent appraisal, this is the value the Property could command if sold today. 3 WHAT'S DIFFERENT NOW
Circumstances Have Changed
Since the Property was declared surplus, the City Council has taken action that materially changes the context for any disposition decision.
TODAY
Now That the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is Funded ✓
City Council has funded a citywide Parks
Master Plan
✓
A comprehensive community engagement
process is being launched
✓
The Plan will evaluate all park facilities
and future recreational needs
ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Goal 4: Cultural, Recreational & Open Spaces
This effort directly implements the Council’s adopted goal to develop a Citywide Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan. 4 OPTIONS
Options Tonight
1 Take no action
2 Receive & file; delay sale until the Parks Master Plan is complete
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
3 Pursue disposition — engage the Museum Foundation and/or Fairgrounds 4 Provide alternative direction to staff
6 STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Retain the Property Through the
Parks Master Planning Process
OPTION 2 — RECOMMENDED
Receive and file this report, and direct staff to delay consideration of a future sale of the Property until the City’s Parks Master Plan has been completed.
Keeps the Property in the City’s inventory as a park asset Lets the Property be evaluated within the full park system Aligns any future decision with community-identified priorities Preserves the option to sell, lease, or retain later
7 FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS & TIMING
What Retention Means in Practice
Current Park Usage
Continues
Park usage continues through the
master planning process.
Fairgrounds Lease
Expires Mar. 2027
If the Property is retained for
continued park use, separation of
the water and electrical utilities
currently shared with the adjacent
parcel will be required.
Ongoing Maintenance
Continues
The City remains responsible for
the on-site restroom facility and
skate park.
Deferred Proceeds
Retention forgoes potential sale
proceeds now, while preserving
future options.
8 BACKGROUND
Current Park Use
Everyday Recreation
Restrooms, a small parking lot, and the skate
park see steady day-to-day community use.
Event Reservations
8 event reservations booked through the City in
2025. Primarily community events:
• Skating for Hope
• CARE4Paws
• Day of the Child
Annual Fundraising Event
Once a year, the park hosts a community
fundraiser, the 2025 event netted $77,928 in
gross profit, benefiting local Scout troops and
youth groups.
5 LOOKING AHEAD
Next Steps
1 TONIGHT
Council receives & files this report;
directs staff to delay sale consideration.
2 COMING MONTHS
Parks Master Planning process launches
with community engagement.
3 PLAN COMPLETE
Staff evaluates the Property within the
full park-system context.
4 FUTURE MEETING
Staff returns to Council with
recommendations on the Property’s
long-term use.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Property is compliant with the SLA and available for disposition — but with a citywide Parks Master Plan now funded, staff recommends waiting for that community process before deciding its future. 9