NOTE: Pets are only allowed at the Rancho Cañada unit of Palo Corona and currently MUST BE ON LEASH.

REGIONAL PARK PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR BARK AND NATURE PLAY PROJECT

We did it! After ten months of collaboration with almost 1,000 residents, several key partner organizations, and two innovative design teams, the District applied for a Regional Park Program (RPP) Grant to help fund the Palo Corona Regional Park Bark and Nature Play Project. This $3 million project includes the proposed development of recreation features at the Rancho Cañada unit of Palo Corona Regional Park: a dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs, an inclusive playground for ages 2 to 12 of all abilities, a pollinator demonstration garden adjacent to the playground, an ADA multi-use trail from the park entrance to the Carmel River footbridge, and a parking lot next to the dog park that includes 3 ADA parking stalls. The RPP Grant is a competitive grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation and is funded by Proposition 68 (2018 Bond Act). Announcement of the grant awards will be sometime in 2022. We will keep you posted!

For now, the District will continue to enhance the Rancho Cañada gateway to Palo Corona Regional Park, which includes plans for the construction of new restrooms, ADA parking, a bus loading/unloading zone, navigational kiosk, and seating. This first gateway project is expected to be completed by Fall 2022. Read more about the Bark and Nature Play Project features.

PLAN YOUR PARK SURVEY RESULTS

The Plan Your Park Survey results are in and the response was terrific with 270 of you participating. Thank you!

The purpose of the survey was to learn about the features you want developed in the Rancho Cañada unit. It was an opportunity to get your "wish list" of features, design ideas, and suggestions for features that would make future programming and activities possible.

Here is what a majority of you want for the park:

• experience of nature and protection of wildlife habitat;
• habitat restoration of the pond with wildlife viewing and ecology education;
• creation or extension of multi-use trails;
• a nature-inspired playground designed for ages 3 to 12 to engage in play inspired by natural park elements, with the inclusion of accessible pathways for wheelchairs and mobility devices and with ramps to play structures;
• an off-leash dog park;
• an outdoor classroom with a tree-inspired design, seating, and water;
• picnic shelters by the playground with a capacity of up to 12 people;
• a bus stop, and;
• other amenities: restrooms, free entrance and use; seating within the park; water fountains; and shade structures

Some of these are set in motion already! The District will soon break ground on the construction of a bus stop with a shade structure at the entrance to the park and  restroom nearby. Cost estimates for other listed features are being reviewed by the District for phasing possibilities and for submission for the Regional Park Program grant. Stay tuned! We are working on the grant application now for the November 5, 2021 deadline. Notice of the details of that grant application will be posted here in the coming weeks.

If you want to dig into the details, you can go through the results of every question by opening the Plan Your Park Survey Results Slides. Or, for the topline results, read the Plan Your Park Survey Findings Narrative in our Documents section.

Plan Your Park: Your Nature Space - Your Plan

You are invited to share in visualizing the future features of the Rancho Cañada unit of Palo Corona Regional Park. to transform the former golf course into a nature park. The District is seeking your input through a series of "Plan Your Park: Your Nature Space - Your Plan" events over the next few months. We will introduce the community to the proposed services and concept plans which have emerged from the previous two-year General Development Plan (GDP) outreach process.

"Palo Corona Regional Park will be a park for everyone within the nature experience", said District General Manager Rafael Payan.

Palo Corona Regional Park is 4,800 acres of open space managed by the District and the Rancho Canada unit is the launch pad to the park. The Rancho Cañada unit will also be the main location for administration, operations, and services for park visitors.

Grant Funding

The District is pursuing two State grants to help fund the development of park features and amenities at the Rancho Cañada unit. Public engagement increases our chances of being awarded funding. Please attend meetings, take surveys, or volunteer. Below is a description of the grants we are pursuing and the timelines associated with the applications and awards.

Proposition 68 Regional Park Program

• Grant Proposals Due: November 5, 2021
• Grant Awards Announced: Spring 2022
• Project Must be Completed by: March 2025 

Proposition 68 Rural Recreation and Tourism Program

• Grant Proposals Due: November 5, 2021
• Grant Awards Announced: Spring 2022
• Project Must be Completed by: March 2025

Plan Your Park (Virtual) Meeting, #3

In this third in a series of public engagement opportunities, participants in Plan Your Park Virtual Meeting, #3 will discuss the public feedback received during the Open House event on July 17, 2021. This is your opportunity to weigh-in on the design elements and types of features that could be included in the planning of the park.

Please join us via telephone or computer for the Virtual Community Planning Meeting on Zoom to discuss amenities of the Palo Corona Regional Park Rancho Cañada unit.

When: Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Online with your computer or handheld device, using the Zoom link

VIDEO OF THE 1st VIRTUAL WORKSHOP BELOW

 Plan Your Park Survey

The main entrance to the northwest portion of Palo Corona Regional Park at the Rancho Cañada unit was once a golf course and is now undergoing a transformation. The GDP outreach process identified some proposed features for this area of the park, that include:

• nature-inspired children's playground
• habitat restoration of the pond
• outdoor classroom with a wildlife observation deck
• picnic pavilions
• ADA accessible multi-use trails
• dog park
• amphitheater
• shaded seating
• restroom facilities

Share your ideas about how to transform this area of your park into a beautiful nature space for all to enjoy by taking our Plan Your Park Survey!

The survey launched on Saturday, July 17, 2021 and closed on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

Plan Your Park Meeting, #2

We will hold the second in our series of public engagement opportunities for the park on July 17.

Please join us in person if you're available.

When: Saturday, July 17, 2021

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel 

Plan Your Park (Virtual) Meeting, #1

In this first in a series of public engagement opportunities, participants in Plan Your Park Virtual Meeting #1 will discuss the Rancho Cañada unit "preferred alternative" uses, as identified in the GDP. Designed with inclusivity for all abilities, features being considered include a nature children's playground, a dog park, an outdoor classroom with a wildlife viewing platform, multi-use paths, and an amphitheater. The community is encouraged to engage in the design conversation about recreation features for the park.

Please join us via telephone or computer for the first Virtual Community Planning Meeting on Zoom to discuss amenities of the Palo Corona Regional Park – Rancho Cañada unit.

When: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: online with your computer or handheld device
using the Zoom link

VIDEO OF THE 1st VIRTUAL WORKSHOP BELOW