Adelanto focusing on bolstering recreation

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    Adelanto focusing on bolstering recreation

  via the Victor Valley Daily Press

  By Shea Johnson
  Staff Writer

  
  Posted Apr. 26, 2015 at 3:52 PM
  Updated Apr 26, 2015 at 3:53 PM 
  
  
  

  ADELANTO — Mayor Rich Kerr made a firm vow last week to a woman who has spoken passionately about the lack of parks on the north side of the city during the last two City Council meetings.

  Responding with confidence, Kerr assured the resident that there will be a park built.

  After settling a drawn-out lawsuit with a former bond insurer, the Council directed city staff earlier this month to accelerate the repayment of $1.2 million owed to the city by the Adelanto Public Utility Authority to shore up much of the city’s $1.7 million deficit.

  With some apparent flexibility, the Council has turned its sights to bolstering the city’s recreation for its more than 31,000 residents.

  To get the ball rolling, Asst. Finance Director Vanessa Martinez was tasked Wednesday night with identifying how much developers had provided in money earmarked for city parks through community facilities districts.

  While that amount was not immediately known, Martinez and others warned that upkeep for parks, not initial construction, would be the heaviest burden to the city’s wallet.

  There also could be some revenue set aside for parks should the Council approve two forthcoming ordinances related to medical marijuana. City leaders want all money collected from potential marijuana dispensaries to be directed to parks and recreation, while 25 percent of income collected on medical marijuana research and cultivation facilities would be steered toward city parks.

  Nathan Coapstick, public works project coordinator for the city, said Thursday that Adelanto currently manages over 30 acres of developed park land comprising the city’s four parks (Richardson, Marconi, Mgrdichian and Sierra).

  “The City is also working on developing a fifth park adjacent to George Elementary School,” he said.

  Outdoor facilities and amenities offered by the city, according to Coapstick, include: walking trails, a skate park, five youth playground facilities, picnic tables and shelters, barbecues, one full-court and two half-court outdoor basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a lighted softball field, two lighted baseball fields, a lighted soccer field and a lighted football field — although the lights there are currently not functional.

  Shea Johnson may be reached at 760-955-5368 or SJohnson@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Shea.