What's at stake?
The El Dorado Park neighborhood, west of Fresno State - has long lacked city parks investment. A public purchase of the land could change that.
In a first for Fresno, a public park will be under the ownership of the city and a private owner at the same time – a move meant to unlock more public resources.
El Dorado Park, located on the Wesley United Methodist Church grounds on Barstow Avenue near Fresno State, was the site of a news conference on Nov. 7, where Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell announced the joint ownership.
The current park – including a playground, basketball court, community gardens, and a small patch of green space – was instigated and maintained by community groups to this point.
Maxwell explained that the church faced financial struggles following the COVID-19 pandemic and even considered selling the property at one point, but settled on allowing the city to buy into joint ownership of the 1.65 acre park for $530,000.
“We worked closely together over the last four years to come up with an agreement that would work for the city, but also the neighborhood,” Maxwell said at the news conference.
The purchase of the park was approved at a Fresno City Council meeting the same day, though talks about purchasing part of the park started nearly four years ago between church leaders and the city.
According to Maxwell and Aaron Aguirre, director of Parks After School, Recreation and Community Services, funding for the purchase of the park will be using American Rescue Plan Act and Measure P funds.
Maxwell and Aguirre both hailed the purchase of the park as a success for the community in retaining its green space.
“Many of our residents have been forced to travel far outside their neighborhoods just to experience the benefit of a park, the fresh air, the open fields and the sense of calm that comes with the green space,” Aguirre said during the news conference.
The news conference also served as an opportunity for local community members to participate in an activity where they were asked what amenities they would like to see added to the park, including splash pads, walking paths and shade structures.
Some residents are guarded about the potential the city’s park purchase will have to bring more investment and attention to the neighborhood.
Jackie Holmes is a resident and president of El Dorado Park Community Development Corporation, a local community-focused non-profit organization located right next to the park.
Holmes is concerned about the city’s ability to create and maintain connections with the local residents following the inconsistent opening and closing of the Paul “Cap” Caprioglio Community Center just down the street from El Dorado Park.
According to Holmes, the Cap Center, which is city property, would close for months at a time and re-open to low attendance from the local community. The most recent closure ran from July to September, she said.
“Kids don’t get used to it; they get used to coming and then you’re not there for three months,” Holmes said in an interview.
According to Sontaya Rose, director of communications for the city, said the center was closed due to roof truss repairs.
Holmes also said she’d like to see more communication between the city and local resident organizations to build better relationships at community centers and to be aware of changes coming to their local neighborhoods.
Holmes also said she would like to see the city be more clear with what limitations are in place before they promise new amenities prematurely at the park.
Maxwell said in an interview with Fresnoland that he was aware of Holmes’ concerns and said he hopes that through continuing to work and connect with the local community around El Dorado, the city can work with the church to bring more programming to the park.
“My hope is that [by] having the city be an official partner, we’re able to bring in resources [and] more staff, which offers more programming ability throughout the day, after hours and on the weekend,” Maxwell said.
