New three

By [email protected] | on May 11, 2023

NEW PARK The BMX track and park will be located near the corner of School Road and Washington Avenue in McKinleyville. The park plans were created by the Melton Design Group. Via MCSD

McKINLEYVILLE – Construction will begin in the summer of 2024 on a new McKinleyville park which will include a BMX track, a pickleball court, a half basketball court and a playground.

The McKinleyville Community Services District Board of Directors voted unanimously May 3 to approve a master plan for the three-acre park, which will be located near the corner of School Road and Washington Avenue. The project will be paid for with a $2,331,375 grant awarded to the MCSD from the Prop 68 Statewide Park Development Program.

MCSD Parks & Recreation Director Lesley Frisbee told the board that costs have increased since the grant application process. In order to keep the project on budget, some park features had to be scaled back.

Plans originally called for two pickleball courts, but now there will be one. There's still room to build an additional court if funds become available.

Plans for a full-sized basketball court were scuttled due, in part, to grading expenses, so instead the park will have a half court. The park will also include a playground with a rope climbing structure, a sensory play wall, a spinning disc and other playground equipment.

PLAYGROUND A rendering of the rope structure at the playground. Via MCSD

The park's main feature is the BMX track. There is a staging area just off the parking lot where riders can prepare to race. They can then enter the course and ascend a raised platform and make their way to the starting line. The course includes jumps, rollers and banked turns, with a finish line at the end.

There is a viewing area on the south side of the track where people can set up folding chairs. Frisbee said that the BMX community may raise money to install bleachers there.

The park will include a paved perimeter pathway, a parking lot with 50 spaces and a restroom. The park was designed by the Melton Design Group.

MCSD Board President Greg Orsini said the design is thoughtful and organic, rather than boxy. "I think when it's done we can be very proud here in McKinleyville," Orsini said.

PICKLEBALL A rendering of the pickleball court. On the right is School Road looking east. Via MCSD

The MCSD will create construction documents this year, put the project out to bid in early 2024, begin construction in the spring and have a grand opening in the fall of 2024.

HALF COURT A rendering of the basketball court. Just behind it is the restrooms. In the distance is the raised platform for the start of the BMX track. Via MCSD