Aerial photo courtesy of Frank Dollosso
Grand Opening for Xabatin Community Park
Public Invited to Ceremonies, October 26
Click here for ceremony program.
LAKEPORT, Calif---The City of Lakeport invites the community to the grand opening ceremonies for Xabatin Community Park, 800 N. Main Street, on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m. Parking will be available in lots adjacent to the park and at the Silveira Community Center and near the Fifth Street boat ramp.
Visitors are requested to admire the new grass from a short distance while it takes root to become a permanent amenity in the park.
The Clear Lake High School band, Lake County Military Honors Team and the Sweet Adelines will precede the welcome by Mayor Stacey Mattina, followed by the Invocation and speakers representing Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire and the Office of Grants and Local Services of the California State Parks.
A land acknowledgement by City Manager Kevin M. Ingram and the blessing by Ron Montez of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians will reflect the cultural heritage and importance of the site to Native peoples.
The dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony will be conducted by Mayor Mattina and Councilmembers Kim Costa, Brandon Disney, Michael Froio and Kenny Parlet.
Activities during the evening will feature traditional Native dance performances by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Professional skateboarders Eli Reams and Devin Bales will be joined by BMX rider Ethan Reams for an exhibition of skills in the new skatepark area.
Video footage taken during the park construction by Hobby Dave Noland will be available for viewing in the Amphitheatre while music is provided by DJ Larry Thompson.
The City of Lakeport is providing complimentary cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones at the Concession Stand while Big Eats Grill and Terped-Out Kitchen will offer food from their vending trucks.
The City thanks Building Solutions Inc., SSA Architects, Lake Event Designs, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation for their respective roles with park construction and the opening ceremony event.
Background on Xabatin Community Park
The City of Lakeport was awarded a $5.9 million grant in April 2020, funded by the State of California Parks and Water Bond (Proposition 68) for the development of a new community park along the city’s lakefront. The grant provided funding to purchase a seven-acre site from the Lakeport Unified School District and to construct the park with amenities identified through extensive public participation in outreach events.
The City Council awarded a contract to SSA Landscape Architects for planning, design, engineering and project management. After preliminary work it was determined that the grant funding would not cover all of the features outlined in the plan adopted by the community.
In November 2020 the Council authorized $201,336 in one time funding to the City through the California Parks and Recreation Prop 68 Per Capita allocation and $805,570 from the City’s general fund reserve, for a total additional amount of $1,006,906 for the project.
A construction contract was awarded to Builders Solutions, Inc., in August 2022 for $4,399,381. The first working day for the park project was October 17, 2022, with 150 working days in the contract. The wet winter weather and time extensions for extra work contributed to schedule delays with fast progress made in the last two months.
Park Features
Amenities included in the park are the result of input from the public at multiple events conducted during 2020, resulting in high scoring on the grant application. Special features include the extension of the promenade along the lakefront, basketball court, skatepark, Ninja gym, amphitheatre, splash pad, public art, multi-use lawn area, sheltered picnic areas, and a bathroom/concession building. Funding also includes a parking lot, landscaping and lighting throughout the park, and a dedicated area for a future boathouse.
Funding from the City made it possible to demolish and remove the remaining school district building on the site and open more space for future development.
Park Name
Xabatin “Big Water” Community Park is derived from the original Native American name for Clear Lake in the Pomo language. The Lakeport City Council adopted the name to acknowledge the significance of the site to Native peoples for centuries.
Contact City Manager Kevin Ingram for more information, 707-263-5615, ext. 104.
Program:
Click image for full size Program