A Community’s Dream Coming True
By Noel Smith
A special election for Measure V, which would have added $98 per year to property tax bills in Seacliff for 30 years was decided by less than 25 votes. The measure’s purpose was to pay for the park that was to have provided play areas for children and easy access for seniors.
The measure’s opponents had argued that a park would be a magnet for derelicts or a staging area for out-of-town RVs waiting for their spot at the beach.
Another ten years went by and on August 3, 2015, some of those who had not given up the effort for a Seacliff Village Park smilingly grabbed shovels that signified their final victory in the quest to define Seacliff as not just a destination for visitors, but as neighborhood for its residents and took part in a historic ground-breaking for the 1-1/4 acre community park.
A new supervisor, Zach Friend, was elected in 2012 and he was immediately made aware of the community’s determination to see a park built on the site. The effort to make the dream a reality finally gained traction and in January of 2014, the county released a detailed Site Plan showing the features and amenities of the future park. Money from the state was found, grants were approved, and the board of supervisors made the park’s construction a part of the county’s budget.
One of the amenities approved by the Board of Supervisors for the park was a public art project by local artist Kathleen Crocetti. The project includes 38 stained concrete pylons with mosaic tops that are to feature local Seacliff imagery along the park pathway and vary from 18-26” in height. Crocetti also will be working with local residents on the making the art on-site at the park.
The first phase of Seacliff Village Park construction is scheduled for completion in late fall with a play area, planted open space, and initially the restrooms will not be permanent structures, but portables. The second phase will add an amphitheater, skate park, picnic area, more landscaping, and permanent restrooms.
We encourage residents to take photos of the new park’s progress and send them to TPG via email: info@cyber-times.com so we can, through our website and publications, keep everyone up-to-date.