California Construction News staff writer
The City of Bakersfield is a step closer to making the revitalization of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and community center a reality, after receiving $11.9 million in federal funding.
The award from the U.S. Department of the Interior is part of a $254 million investment for parks across the country, the largest ever by the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP).
“I am incredibly proud to say that we are finding ways to make this priority project happen” said Darin Budak, acting recreation & parks director. “I want to thank all our staff who worked to make this application successful. We’re not done yet and we are continuing to look for and find creative ways to bring this project to bear.”
The MLK Park Revitalization project was one of just 15 in California selected to receive this funding. It was also the second largest award among all 54 projects nationwide.
ORLP-funded projects are expected to provide “safe outdoor spaces for communities that are park-deprived” and advance the Justice40 Initiative to have 40% of the federal funding go to disadvantaged communities.
“Everyone deserves to experience the restorative power of nature, but increasing access to public outdoor spaces has not always received the investment and drive needed to make an impact,” said Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “Supporting the communities that benefit from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program has been a top priority for our Administration, and a critical step to bringing more green spaces to urban and disadvantaged communities.”
The project will bring new amenities and improvements such as enhanced safety, more play opportunities and community programming to the 16.1-acre complex, including a new community center. Partnership opportunities are still available through the Recreation and Parks Department.
