Oakley City Council Approves 55-Acre Park Master Plan

The City of Oakley officially has a plan for its 55-acre regional park which the concept now includes boating, fishing, a beach, pump track and skate park.

The Master Plan was approved in a 5-0 vote last week with the council pulling the item from the Consent Calendar for discussion – with a focus on cost as the project was estimated at $50 million in 2019, but is now estimated at $128 million. . The park is located on the delta waterfront at the north end of Sellers Avenue within the City of Oakley.

Under the new proposal, which focuses on use of the delta and the waterfront, will have a boat launch, fishing, beach front/swimming area, pump track, skate park and an all-abilities playground along with RV Park and camping. The park will be built over decades and in multiple phases.

Kevin Rohani, public works director and city engineer, explained this plan is current with the wishes of the community and council of today.

“Last year, we worked diligently with a tremendous amount of outreach being done to solicit input and trying to craft a new master plan to currently fit the vision of the council and something that we can use to fund raise and pursue grant funding into the future,” said Rohani. “Also, one of the key features of this master plan is its uniqueness. The prior master plans, even though robust and complete, it was more of a traditional park and park amenities of parking lots, playgrounds, and fields.”

Rohani further explained they added features that were unique from camping, more fishing, active recreational features to the facilities which would draw new customers and clientele to Oakley which will be a destination.

“If the item is approved, we will use this (Master Plan) for assortment of grand funding and fundraising opportunities,” said Rohani who added this project will not be built overnight or one project. “It will have to be built in phases, as we get grant funding, it will be built which we structured it that way.”

Vice Mayor Shannon Shaw did not like the item being placed in the Consent Calendar.

“We should have had an opportunity to see the whole plan,” explained Shaw who added E Cypress Road expansion will be completed before they even start building the park. “I know we need to have this master plan in place so we can start doing those grants.”

Shaw questioned if the phases were set in stone or if they can move them around to do the skate park, the pump track and things that are exciting in this that things are asking for.

“I would love to see if this is approved so we can get grants, what can we do to get this space safe and have an open space with trail heads so we can start getting an idea of what the utilization can be,” explained Shaw.

City Manager Josh McMurray explained the phasing will be dictating by the types of funding they receive but they had to have a plan before they seek out funding.

“This is the first step,” said McMurray. “There are many aspects of this plan that appeal to many different portions of our community. We can adjust the phasing as the funding becomes available.”

He added many aspects of this plan can be “licensed” such as the campgrounds or launch ramp to take the operation away from the city and put it on the operator—public/private partnership.

“I am very excited about the water aspect of it. Oakley is park rich, but having this type of park is going to be unique and going through it, the skate park, pump track and all these things residents are asking for, I am really happy to see we went this direction and if that means camping I will go with it,” states Shaw.

Mayor Anissa Williams asked expressed unhappiness with the Master Plan being placed in the consent calendar. She would have liked to see a final work session on the design.

“It was a surprise to me that the skate park and pump track made it into it,” said Williams. “I was very excited about it, but it was a surprise.”

Williams also had concerns over the cost and it never being estimated at $128 million.

“The number is very daunting and feels somewhat unattainable,” said Williams. “The city does not have the resources… obviously it is multi-year and costs go up every year and the number will go up every year, so it made me pause.”

McMurray gain reiterated this was an expensive project.

“You are right, this is a very expensive project but we don’t know what we can get until we have a plan,” said McMurray. “We were unsuccessful two times on the previous plan in trying to find grant money. This project has aspects that are appealing to different kinds of grants so it opens the door for us.”

He added without a plan, they have yet to seek out state and federal assistance with funding. If approved, they will work to find funding.

The council then approved the Master Plan in a 5-0 vote.

Master Plan: Oakley Regional Park Tidbits (78-pages)

• The focus will be access to the delta water
• Will include boat and kayak launch – idea to host national fishing events.
• Design will include a beach front swimming area.
• No baseball fields or soccer fields
• Gilbert house could provide flexible retail incubator spaces are provided within two buildings to provide opportunities for an array of community events, farmers markets, food truck, socials, and pop-up stores for small local businesses
• An all-abilities destination play area was critical to the community and stakeholders so the concept plan provides the amount of space to thoroughly design a nature themed play area that can accommodate multiple opportunities for inclusive play elements. Community gathering spaces, open turf areas and a shaded picnic area are also included within this area which can provide additional event spaces while providing a picturesque view of the water front.
• Overnight camping was proposed to encourage affordable family vacations and summer camp opportunities. Both tent and RV camping locations are provided with picnic tables and basic utility hookups.
• Communal restrooms and shower facilities are integrated with the camping facilities building where a guest will be able to also find basic necessities near the registration office.
• A skate park, pump track and small disc golf course was integrated into the park design to provide additional amenities for park users. Trailheads are provided at two locations on the site for future trail connections. However, there are also internal nature trails around the perimeter of the park along with water front walking paths to provide different opportunities to reconnect with nature.

Staff Report
1. Resolution
2. 2024 Oakley Regional Park Master Plan

Previous Stories:

• May 13, 2024 – Oakley 55-Acre Regional Park Expected to Cost $128 Million
• Oct 7, 2023 – Oakley Embraces Delta Themed Park While Removing Ball Fields
• Sept. 26, 2023 – Oakley Set to Talk 55-Acre Regional Park
• July 21, 2023 – Oakley Gets First Look at Dueling Concepts for 55-Acre Park
• July 18, 2023 – Oakley Seeks Feedback on Oakley Regional Park Master Plan
• June 14, 2023 – Oakley Council Agrees to Look at Alternative Plan For 55-Acre Park
• March 29, 2023 – Oakley Seeks Input on Regional Park Master Plan
• Nov 20, 2022 – Oakley Councilman Suggests Affordable Housing in Place of 55-Acre Park

EastCountyToday Stories

• 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
• April 19, 2019 – Oakley Seeks Input on $50 Million Community Park
• Dec 30, 2018 – Oakley Set to Discuss $50 Million Community Park Project
• Oct 21, 2018 – Restoring the Wetlands: Dutch Slough Project Breaks Ground in Oakley