Nipomo receives $1.8 in state funding to build two new park projects
NIPOMO, Calif. (KEYT) - San Luis Obispo County announced Thursday it has received $1.8 million in state funding to help build two new park projects in Nipomo.
The significant financial investment was secured by State Senator and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón and will help advance two long-planned park and trail projects in Nipomo, Jim O. Miller Park in Olde Towne and the first phase of a perimeter trail around Nipomo Community Park.
The County said the funding was included in AB/SB 113 and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Jim O. Miller Park project will receive $1 million of the funding, while the remaining $800,000 is earmarked for the Nipomo Community Park Perimeter Trail.
"Pro Tem Limón has been a tremendous partner to Nipomo, and I’m incredibly grateful for her
leadership in securing this $1.8 million investment in our community,” said San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Chair Jimmy Paulding, who also represents Nipomo as the District Four Supervisor. "These are projects our community has envisioned for years, and this funding gives us a real opportunity to move them forward — creating new places for people to gather and recreate while making it safer and easier for families to walk and bike through Nipomo."
Located in what is now a empty lot at the corner West Tefft Street and Carrillo Street in the heart of Olde Towne Nipomo, the Jim O. Miller Park has been in the works for nearly 30 years.
"It's a real good feeling," said Don Miller, son of the park's namesake Jim O. Miller. "It's been a long time coming. It really has. Thanks to Supervisor Paulding and Senator Limón, I think maybe we'll finally be able to break ground and move things forward. We've got a little bit to do. We're finishing the plans and waiting for the use permit from the County, but it's it's great news. Great news for us!"
The County described the future pocket park as a venue that may feature a small playground, gazebo, gathering space, veterans memorial, historic interpretation recognizing the Dana Adobe and Pacific Coast Railroad, and areas for passive recreation.
Paulding pointed out the project will also help create pedestrian and trail connections between nearby historic resources, natural areas, public spaces, and local businesses.
"I think that this park will become a real anchor and a draw for the Olde Towne," said. Paulding. "We've got an elementary school. We've got two high schools, our business community. This is really going to provide that opportunity for people to come together, and honestly, we don't have park space on this side of town. We have a lot of families that don't have that opportunity unless they want to drive across town to where the community park is, so it will be a wonderful amenity for all those reasons."
The County added the park is named in honor of Jim O. Miller, a founding board member of the Nipomo
Community Services District and longtime advocate for the Nipomo community who first
envisioned creating a park in Olde Towne.
"We've been working on this for probably, I would say 30 years off and on," said Miller. "All of this is through the Olde Towne Nipomo Association. We've been pursuing it at least since 1992 because that's when we were chartered. Actually, my dad and mom were pursuing before that time, so it's been a good 30 years or so."
Located about a mile west in the Nipomo Community Park, the Perimeter Trail has been planned since the park's last Master Plan was updated in 2012.
The planned multi-use trail was described the County as a feature that would follow the outer edges of the park and provide recreational opportunities for activities such as walking, running and
bicycling.
"It would be really nice to have an actual designated trail right here where you're not have to walk on on the road, especially when school is getting out and there's cars everywhere," said Jason Lee who lives nearby and walks the park frequently. "A new trail would be really nice."
With $800,000 now secured, the funding will directed to help build the first phase of the multi-phased project.
In a release, the County said it currently anticipates focusing this investment along Osage Street, which would complete a significant portion of the planned perimeter trail while creating a safer route to school for students and families in the surrounding neighborhoods.
"This project will add an important recreational amenity to Nipomo Community Park, but its
benefits go well beyond recreation,” said Paulding. "The Osage Street connection is badly needed by the students and families who walk and bike through this area every day. This investment allows us to begin building the perimeter trail while also addressing a longstanding safety need in the community."
No timetable was given on when construction will be begin on either project or a targeted goal for completion.
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