By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Cost estimate for adding park sidewalks falls seriously short
• Another $179,500 needed
Riverview Park in Ceres
Riverview Park in northeast Ceres is one of three parks which the city Public Works Department wants to add completed walking paths. This park has an asphalt walkway that poses a safety risk with uneven surfaces due to tree roots.w - photo by Jeff Benziger

In 2022, city staff severely misjudged the cost of adding walking trails to three neighborhood parks, missing the mark by more than three times. That prompted Public Works Director Sam Royal to inform the Ceres City Council last week that more money is needed, or cut down the project scope.

In March 2022, the council approved the use of $75,000 in federal ARPA funds in the amount to install a section of sidewalks in Strawberry, Don Pedro and Riverview parks. The sidewalks are needed, staff said, to provide a complete paved walking path that connects from one side of the park to the other. But in April, then City Finance Director Leticia Dias informed the council that $254,000 was needed instead of only $75,000. Royal went before the council last week to say another $179,500 is needed to complete all three parks.

Royal outlined that Strawberry Park requires 700 linear feet of 4,200 square feet of concrete for a total cost of$85,000. The project would include grading, irrigation lines and landscaping.

Work in Don Pedro Park is expects to run $74,000 and includes approximately 600 linear feet of walkway covering 3,600 square feet.

Riverview Park needs $95,500 in improvements on both sides, totaling 700 linear feet and covering 4,200 square feet of space.

Royal said by closing the gaps in walkways “we could have the connectivity for people to go around the parks without stepping in dirt.”

Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra noted that Strawberry Park is across from where she lives and she sees walkers daily as early as 5 a.m. through 10 p.m.

“I know it’s definitely needed because I see them walking in the mud during the rainy season – they’re still out there rain or shine,” she said.

The east side of Riverview Park has an existing uneven asphalt walking path which is being disrupted by tree roots. It would be removed and replaced by concrete walkway, said Royal.

Vice Mayor Bret Silveira asked where the extra $179,500 would come from and was told by City Manager Doug Dunford that Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding could be available from the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG).

City Attorney Nubia Goldstein advised that since the matter was placed on the agenda as an informational item only the council would need to hold off for taking action with funding options at a future meeting.

Silveira suggested getting Don Pedro Park finished first before the council figures out the funding for other parks.