Lakeport City Council receives update on Lakefront Park
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
One of the videos of the Lakefront Park project done by Dave Nolan shows an earlier phase of the work.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lakeport’s Lakefront Park is nearing completion and expected to be open this fall.
Public Works Director Ron Ladd gave the Lakeport City Council the latest on the Lakefront Park’s development at the council’s Aug. 1 meeting.
Recounting the effort to get the $5.9 million state grant that has made the park possible, Ladd said Mayor Stacey Mattina was at a convention when she made a connection with Public Health Advocates, a Davis-based nonprofit lobbying organization that works on grants for small communities.
Ladd said PHA’s help would prove invaluable, helping the city with public outreach, which was a large component of the grant.
“The public outreach is what put us over the top in being awarded the grant to begin with,” Ladd said.
He said that outreach included information in city utility bills, pop up booths at the summertime concerts in the park and special meetings at City Hall.
The city received the grant in February 2020. Last August, the council awarded the $4.4 million construction contract to Builder Solutions Inc., and the council also awarded a contract for labor compliance oversight, Ladd said.
Right now, Ladd said, the city is on budget with little or no reserve remaining.
When the city awarded the construction contract last year, Ladd said it afforded the contractor 150 working days to complete the work.
Ladd said they had no idea at the time what the weather was about to do, referring to the heavy winter rainstorms and snowstorms Lake County experienced.
While the rain was much needed, Ladd said it put a damper on the momentum to build the park.
The park’s original completion date was May 25. However, due to the inclement weather, along with some days off for holidays, Ladd said there have been 77 nonworking days. Now, the new anticipated completion date is Sept. 29.
Other challenges due to the weather included Clear Lake’s level being higher than anticipated, which created delays as they waited for the lake to recede, and unstable soils in the lake, Ladd said.
Completed work includes the concession stand, shade structures and the pavilion near the lake, while the north pedestrian walkway is 80% and the basketball court is almost complete, Ladd said. The fitness area needs rubber safety surfacing which is expected to be installed Aug. 14.
Ladd said the skate park has made great progress in recent weeks and the splash pad is coming along. The stamped walkways have begun along the lake.
The last things to be done are the turf placement and the parking lot configuration, which Ladd said are set for September.
City Manager Kevin Ingram said it’s been amazing to see the park come together. In the last couple of weeks he said it’s starting to look like a park. “It’s really coming together wonderfully.”
Ladd noted during the discussion the park is designed to keep visitors oriented toward Mount Konocti.
Council members were pleased with the park’s progress.
Councilman Brandon Disney said he drives by the parks daily on the way to work. “It seems like there’s something new everyday,” he said, adding it’s a really exciting time and he can’t wait for it to be done.
During public comment, the council heard from several members of a pickleball club who advocated for striping the basketball courts to allow for pickleball play.
One of the group members, Anita Swanson, said the growth of pickleball is one of the most exciting things she’s seen in her 40 years living in Lake County, which now has a large community of players.
She said the sport, which they play at the tennis courts in Kelseyville, is popular with tourists.
Laura Sammel, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, urged the city to have planned activities at the park so it’s not overrun by homeless people.
Mattina noted during the discussion that the city has been brainstorming about a recreation department for events, and that they may do a Lakeport community council to help organize activities. She added that the park won’t just be a place for the homeless to hang out.
“I think we’re all really going to enjoy this park,” Mattina said.
In response to the pickleball requests, Ingram said the best course is to complete the park as designed and make upgrades later, adding that it’s not a big deal to come back and make additions.
He added that a park is never really a finished product, per se.
City Attorney David Ruderman brought the pickleball matter to a close by pointing out that since it wasn’t an agendized item, the council couldn’t take action.
Mattina thanked Ladd for his work, noting the progress of the project brought tears to her eyes.
Ingram said the city is planning a large community event to celebrate the park’s opening.
Mattina suggested the celebration could include a basketball game with staff versus the council.
“If the insurance allows it,” Ladd replied.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.