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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

September 12, 2004

City Council to weigh Rockville park's future

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Solano County has expressed interest in owning the park. Another candidate is a countywide park district, if such a district ever gets formed.

The City Council and Community Services Commission will discuss the possibilities at a Tuesday study session. They meet at 7 p.m. in the Center for Creative Arts rehearsal room, 1035 Texas St.

Fairfield has owned the 650-acre Rockville Park, in the hills between Suisun and Green valleys, since 1966. The park features miles of trails used by hikers and bicyclists. It features panoramic views of Suisun Marsh and the city.

The city two years ago approved an ambitious $1.8 million plan to make Rockville Hills Park a better place - giving it everything from a new parking lot to another ranger, if the money can be found. A $2 entrance fee is soon to go into effect to help cover the costs.

But just as Fairfield began putting its plans into action, it got an offer from the county in May. Rockville Hills Park might join the county parks system, which consists of Lake Solano park, Sandy Beach park near Rio Vista and Belden's Landing in Suisun Marsh.

"Please accept this letter as a Solano County initial consideration for assuming eventual ownership, operations or partnership," county Parks Services Manager Anthony Norris wrote.

Fairfield isn't alone. The owner of almost every major recreation area in the county got such a letter, including Vacaville for its Lagoon Valley park. The county is doing some long-range planning and wants to see what's possible.

Solano County's park system is governed by the county Board of Supervisors.

Meanwhile, separate efforts are under way to form a countywide parks district. This district would be similar to the East Bay Regional Park District in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, which runs such parks as Tilden and Briones. It would have its own governing body and its own source of money, most likely a voter approved tax of some kind.

Brent Schoradt of the Greenbelt Alliance told the City Council about this effort at the Sept. 7 council meeting. The backbone of the parks district could be more than 4,000 acres of preserved open space in the hills between Vallejo, Fairfield and Benicia. Rockville Hills Park could also become part of this district.

City Council members expressed interest in a park district.

"While we're still semi-developed, we could possibly get in on the ground floor, get some land for folks 100 years from now, give them space to appreciate the outdoors," City Councilman Jack Batson said.

But give Rockville Hills Park to such a district? Or give it to the county? Or keep it? The council has yet to tackle these issues in earnest.

City Councilman Harry Price said a regional park district has great potential and the East Bay Regional Park District is a model.

"But I'm not about to let go of (Rockville) until we have a clear understanding how it will be preserved and how it will be maintained," Price said. "It's a gem."

Also at Tuesday's study session, the council and commission will discuss:

Revised proposals to build residences and businesses in part of Allan Witt Park, while moving ballfields and the skateboard park to new locations. They will also discuss plans to get opinions from the community.

Making parks safer. The council recently agreed to put up video cameras to monitor several parks, including Allan Witt. The question now is whether the city should do more and where to get the money.

Which city departments should be responsible for historic preservation policies.

Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646 Ext. 232 or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.

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