Stockton, CA – An update to the Ten-Year Park System Plan provides a snapshot of San Joaquin County’s park needs while establishing a framework for improvements over the next decade. The update, presented by the Parks and Recreation Division, General Services Department, and consultant Design Workshop, identifies areas for improvement across the County’s 23 parks and open spaces.

“This detailed survey was exactly what we needed to make improvements the community wants,” said Board Chair and District Three Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal. “We want to create the best experiences and opportunities for our families to enjoy.”

This phase of the plan includes a financial analysis, a retrospective of current park conditions, and an assessment of areas for improvement based on site evaluations, focus groups, and responses to a community survey.

Among the findings:

• County parks are well-located and distributed, within a 30-minute drive of residents’ homes
• The survey identifies the lack of restroom, shade, and sense of safety as deterrents to visiting
• 87% of respondents want the County to upgrade current spaces before creating new parks
• Micke Grove Zoo: respondents want to see improved and added food concessions, events and experiences, exhibits with active engagement

“We have our work cut out for us,” said Parks Administrator Ashika Lal. “This update gives us a roadmap for enhancing and improving our current parks over the next ten years.”

The study is halfway complete, and the Board will receive the next update in November.

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