Approve funding plan for construction of Knights Landing Community Park increasing the Knights Landing Community Park project budget by $1,741,648, and adopt a budget resolution appropriating all project funds in the amount of $5,800,000. (General fund impact $900,000) (4/5 vote required) (Perez/Sabatini)

The rural community of Knights Landing has an estimated 375 households with 1,050 residents.  The median age is 34 years old.  The population of Knights Landing, CA is 69.6% Hispanic or Latino, 24.5% White (non-Hispanic), and 5.93% Asian. 45.4% of the people in Knights Landing speak a non-English language. One in three residents (39%) are children with no access to a park or public open space.  The nearest public recreational facilities for children are located 13 miles away in Woodland. 
 
Knights Landing is designated as a “disadvantaged community” and an “economically distressed area” by state and federal standards.  The median household income is $47,000, with nearly 300 individuals earning less than 50% of the median household income (less than $23,500 per year).  Over 75% of the population of Knights Landing meets state criteria for low or low/moderate income individuals.  Over 500 of the 1,050 residents qualify for MediCal and CalFresh benefits.  The most recent census data (2010) documented an unemployment rate in Knights Landing of 13.9%, which was very close to the 2010 state average of 12.2%.  

In 2018, at the urging of Knights Landing residents who desire a community park, the County embarked on a rigorous community-based planning process by forming a “project development team” (PDT).  The PDT consists of 10 local representatives with ties to: local businesses, the Science and Technology Academy, local non-profits, youth leadership, the agricultural community, and community members. Outreach efforts have included participation in community events, distribution of a multilingual survey and focused community discussions. 

The County has developed a community park master plan for the purpose of developing a 7.26-acre community park in Knights Landing.  The park will be located at the northeast corner of Highway 113 and Locust Avenue, adjacent to the Science and Technology Academy (the property is owned by Woodland Joint Unified School District).  California State Parks has identified Knights Landing as a critically underserved community using metrics such as median household income and access to public parks and open space.

Desired amenities were identified through robust community outreach and public participation in the design process.  These amenities include a regulation soccer field, a little league baseball field/softball field, a full-size basketball court, a multi-age play area with play structures, a public walking trail, shaded gathering areas, picnic areas, and additional parking.  Renderings and outreach materials are provided in Attachment A to this staff report. 

Since 2019, County staff have submitted four (4) funding applications to California State Parks seeking grant funds to construct the Knights Landing Community Park. 

Despite the lack of a formal state investment through traditional grant funding, staff has continued to seek funding and to leverage existing funding commitments. The Yolo County Board of Supervisors have committed $2.82M in American Rescue Plan funding to the project. In addition to the Board's investment, staff have secured $260,000 in State Parks Per Capita funding, $228,000 in cannabis tax revenue funding, and a state appropriation through Senator Dodd's office of $750,000.  On October 20, 2022, the Board's Committee on Capital Investments recommended that the Board consider a comprehensive funding plan for the Knights Landing Community Park which resolves the $1.74M funding gap, detailed below, and provided in Attachment B to this staff report. 

As shown above, the funding proposal would close the $1.74M gap by utilizing parks development impact fee revenues, as well as funds from the capital improvement reserve and accumulated capital outlay fund. 

Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board affirm the recommendation of the Committee on Capital Investments, approve the funding plan for construction of the Knights Landing Community Park, and adopt a budget resolution (Attachment C) for the Knights Landing Community Park budget. 

Staff has collaborated with Dist. 5, the Woodland Joint Unified School District, the Department of Financial Services, the Parks Division, the Knights Landing Park project development team (various community and business representatives), and California Senate Dist 3.