Oakley Gets First Look at Dueling Concepts for 55-Acre Park

On Tuesday, the Oakley City Council got its first look at an dueling concepts for its 55-acre park.

The park is located on the delta waterfront at the north end of Sellers Avenue within the City of Oakley and has been in the works since 2002. The estimated costs are between $50 million to $60 million by the time the park is fully built out.

In June, the Oakley City Council agreed to allow staff to work on an alternate concept to present to the public regarding its 55-acre park on Sellers Avenue. It allowed city staff to present the idea of utilizing the park for more of a waterfront destination and provide access to the delta–boating, fishing and activities that center around the delta.

The first concept drawings were released at a special work session on July 19, 2023.

Brian Fletcher of Callander Associates highlighted although a Master Plan was created in 2019, the council recognized the community has changed and grown and it was important to go back and look at what the community wanted while recreational needs have changed.

“It’s a hard site to understand because you don’t have public access to it right now,” stated Fletcher.

He said they received 370 people who responded to initial outreach regarding the park.

Of the survey, he shared “field sports” were big which included baseball, soccer and softball at the top of the list and there is a need for more multi-purpose fields but noted they don’t necessarily have the space to do independent baseball or soccer fields while providing parking.

They also heard passive recreation – nature play, fishing, active recreation amenities such as shoreline and water access.

Fletcher said the goal was to provide “two significant” different alternative because that is part of a master plan process is supposed to do in thinking about different ways the space could be utilized or in the best possible way it could be utilized.

“It is early in the process so don’t think either of these plans are the final say,” said Fletcher.

Option 1

Concept 1: covers active theme sports

• Multi-purpose fields (baseball and soccer)
• Destination Play (all abilities)
• Pickleball and tennis
• Fishing / Boating
• Water access included
• Agriculrtual + community garden
• Gilbert House – renovate for small weddings or community events

Option 2

Concept 2:  Celebrates uniqueness of Oakley & Delta

• Larger component for fishing and boating, aimed to attract fishing tournaments
• Larger boat launch facility
• Beach area / water access
• Destination Nature Play Area (a new concept)
• RV and Camping Area –access to the delta.
• Multi-purpose trails
• Dog Park
• Smaller baseball and soccer footprint
• Wine industry – small retail or incubator space, small tasting room

“Don’t look at these drawings as finish products,” said Fletcher. “These are in process”.

Fletcher stated that building 2-3 baseball fields at the 55-acre park may not be worth it when a development north of Summer Lake is possibly having 4 baseball fields and 2 soccer fields proposed there.

Public Comments:

John Cain, Senior Conservation Director at River Partners, stated he was happy with the planning and the organization is interested in helping finding the funding. He encouraged the idea of regional amenities to attract people. He asked the council to consider integrating the park into the Dutch Slough project. He asked the council to consider the “phases” versus the master plan.

Cathy Bandy, project manager from DWR for restoration project, echoed the comments by Cain. She wanted to extend support from the DWR to work with the City of Oakley on their plan while highlighting shoreline access. She also suggested connecting the trails as a start to the project.

Jimmy Ramirez, an Oakley Planning Commissioner, spoke about indigenous people and saw this as an opportunity to honor the first people of the land and the many indigenous people who call Oakley home.

Nick L. called the 55-acre park a huge opportunity for fisherman and that they travel all around to fish. The big organizations come to down bringing in 200-300 boats for 2-3 days. He said all the shorelines are private and kids have nowhere to fish. He called it a destination that should be looked at.

• Presentation (July 19):  22048_CommunityOpenHouse#2Presentation_230719

Previous Stories:

• June 14 – Oakley Council Agrees to Look at Alternative Plan For 55-Acre Park
• Nov 20, 2022 – Oakley Councilman Suggests Affordable Housing in Place of 55-Acre Park
• Sept 13, 2021 – City of Oakley to Hold Work Session for Possible Polo Field at 55-Acre Park
• June 25, 2019 – Oakley Seeks Input on What the Name of $50 Million Park Should Be
• Dec 30, 2018 – Oakley Set to Discuss $50 Million Community Park Project