Riverside County Supervisors approve more funds for Thermal’s first community park
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved $1.12 million for infrastructure improvement projects in Cabazon and Thermal, where beautification features are planned. A total of $959,700 will be allocated to the Cabazon Infrastructure Plan, while $170,000 will be dedicated to the Thermal Community Plan.
The board set aside $10 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year budget for the Unincorporated Communities Fund, which was established in 2020 with the goal of providing revenue streams for projects specifically benefiting "disadvantaged unincorporated communities."
According to Supervisor Manuel Perez, the funds designated for Thermal will go toward development of Thermal's first park. "I look forward to working with the Transportation & Land Management Agency, nonprofits, the community of Thermal and the church where the park will be built ... so we can do everything possible to make sure it's from the ground up.'' said Perez.
Plans for the project were approved by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on January 30 following a series of public meetings in 2023 where residents weighed in on the amenities they wanted in the park
The most recent renderings show the park will include two multi-sport fields, one multi-sport court, a splash pad, play structures, walking paths, seating, a picnic area, shade structures, a stage, landscaping, restrooms, and a concession stand, among other features.
"We're really excited. This is something we've been talking about for years and not just with the Desert Recreation District crew or the city. The community has been highly involved in every step of the way," according to DRD Public Information Officer/Legislative Affairs Scott Sear.
The $10 million dollar project will be paid for through a combination of funding, including a $4.5 million dollar grant from the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. The rest of the funds will come from County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez's office and the Desert Recreation District.
Desert Recreation District purchased the 10-acre property located at Church Street and Olive Street, across the street from La Familia High School.
A groundbreaking is expected by fall 2024 with construction expected to take a year before the project is finalized.
Watch News Channel 3 at 6:00 p.m. for more on the story.
