30-year Promise Fulfilled

Ribbon Cutting for Permanent Restrooms and Concession Stand at Polo Grounds

By Noel Smith

Polo Grounds Park is one of the busiest parks in the county serving up to 2,000 park goers and athletes a day on the weekend. The 62-acre Polo Grounds at 2255 Huntington Ave. is a destination for youth athletics, joggers, dog walkers, bicyclists, and has 3 ball diamonds, 3 soccer fields, lots of open space and a walking/jogging path around the periphery.

One thing it didn’t have was permanent bathrooms for all those park visitors. Moms would take their young soccer and baseball players as far away as Deluxe Foods across the freeway to find a decent bathroom.

When the park was first built 30 years ago restrooms and a concession stand was promised but somehow the funding and the will was never there.

When Supervisor Zach Friend took office one of his first priorities was to find a way to make the park improvement happen. His constituents had brought this need to his attention and he responded by finding government funding to help finance the project. Fortunately another key player was brought on board shortly thereafter by the County, Jeff Gaffney, Director Parks & Recreation Commission.

The Cabrillo Host Lions Club helped raise funds in the community for the project. Another member of the team helping to get the project done was Kate Minott, Aptos Chamber Woman of the Year, Parks, Recreation and Open Space activist who has served on the County Parks Commission since 2000 and President of the Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks. Finally Contractor Jay Johnson, left, of J. Johnson & Co. Headed up the project to make it all happen. 2255 Huntington Avenue, Aptos

The new project includes a snack counter, water fountains with a bottle-filler and restrooms with running water that replaces those infamous portable toilets. Surrounding the facility is a concrete pad and low water use landscaping.

Thanks to all those in our community who worked so hard to make a 30-year promise come true.