The Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, Contra Costa County and the City of Pleasant Hill have announced proposals for potential new recreational fields and a new community library. This has been made possible through an agreement between the County and the Recreation & Park District.
The County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the agreement at today’s Board meeting. The Recreation and Park District, which is a special district independent of the City of Pleasant Hill, voted to approve the agreement at its last Board of Directors’ meeting on April 13th.
The agreement provides an option through the end of 2019 for the Recreation and Park District to purchase a five-acre site (1750 Oak Park Boulevard) from the County for potential future recreational uses.
The five-acre site is home to the current Pleasant Hill Library and a vacant administration building. The library will continue to operate in its existing location until a new one is available, at which time the Recreation and Park District will transition the site into new recreational space.
The Recreation and Park District believes that this agreement is an important step in addressing a substantial identified need to provide additional recreational field space for children and families to participate in healthy outdoor activities.
“With few vacant parcels left in Pleasant Hill, the District is committed to acquire and develop parkland when opportunities present themselves,” said Zac Shess, chairman of the District’s Board of Directors. “The District is thrilled to add this acreage, and we look forward to working with the community to develop another beautiful recreational facility that serves people of all ages.”
The City and the County can now move forward on an agreement for the transfer of approximately three acres at 1700 Oak Park Boulevard (the vacant property across Monticello Avenue from the current library building) for the new library location.
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who represents the area at the County, said she was very appreciative that the District agreed to keep the existing library operational while the new one is under construction.
“Pleasant Hill needs a new library to keep up with increased demand and new technologies,” Mitchoff said. “This is a great example of three public agencies working together to find a solution where everyone wins.”
Concurrent with the City and County discussions, the City can move forward with plans for the design and construction of the new library. The next step for the project is for the City to hire an architectural firm to begin the design of the building and landscaping improvements. The library process will involve extensive community outreach and engagement through workshops and public hearings.
“This is wonderful news for our community. Our residents are going to be delighted with their new library and new recreational fields,” said Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael Harris. "When the residents of Pleasant Hill overwhelmingly supported Measure K in the last election, they clearly indicated that they wanted a new community library and better streets. We intend to fulfill our promises to the voters by investing in these improvements for them and their children.”
You can find more information about the projects at:
www.pleasanthillca.org/library
www.pleasanthillrec.com
www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/6291/District-IV-Supervisor-Karen-Mitchoff