How Would You Spend $5 Million?

The city of Seal Beach needs the community’s help in spending $5 million.

Today marks the fifth in a series of six meetings, seeking public input on what kind of park to build on the vacant 3.25 acres adjacent to Marina Park on First Street between Marina Drive and Welcome Lane. 

However, there’s a catch: The community can’t qualify for the $5 million grant for the project without lots of community input to prove a clearly defined interest in the park.

“This is a competitive grant opportunity, and 20 percent of it is based on community involvement,” Robert G. Randall, the grant writing expert hired by the city.

So far, only about 30 people have filled out wish-list surveys for the park, but the city needs about 100 surveys completed, Randall said.

Of the people who have responded to the survey, a majority of the residents have asked for traditional park features such as shade trees, picnic tables and barbecues. After that, they have asked for walking, running and workout trails, playgrounds and a pool. Other options mentioned have ranged from a new senior center to a dog park and a Japanese garden.

Seal Beach residents Bette and Joe Klein hope to see a community pool built to replace the aging pool at McGaugh Elementary.

“We are big pool swimmers and we want to see a swimming pool there,” said Bette Klein. “I think that’s what most people would want – they just don’t know about these workshops.”

The Kleins plan to rally their friends and neighbors to attend tonight’s workshop at 6 p.m. at the Mary Wilson Library to advocate for a pool.

However, Patty Campbell, a College Park East resident, said she would prefer to see a new community pool built in a more central part of the city.

“Before we go building a pool that is practically in Long Beach, we need to be spending the money here (College Park East),” she said. “If our city is going to cough up money for a pool, they need to cough up an equal amount of money for recreational facilities here.”

At this point, city officials have ear-marked the money for the vacant lot in Old Town, which has enough space for multiple facilities such as a pool, parking lot and a playground.

The property does have its drawbacks. It was used as an oil refinery/oil separating facility for most of the last century until 1994. It likely has contamination issues and is currently owned by Exxon/Chevron.

The $5 million grant is part of the Proposition 84 money, which includes about $400 million for statewide parks and recreations projects.