Prop 68 grant money will be used for what will become the Stagecoach Stop Park at the historic Gilman Ranch in Banning
JURUPA VALLEY – RivCoParks was awarded $6.05 million in Prop. 68 grant money for what will become the Stagecoach Stop Park at the historic Gilman Ranch in Banning.
Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District (RivCoParks) currently operates the ranch as a historic site and wagon museum dedicated to the preservation, celebration, and interpretation of the history of late 1800’s California.
The ranch has a rich history going back to the California Gold Rush days, the American western migration of the 1800’s, and the history/culture of the native Cahuilla Indians
Stagecoach Stop Park will make use of largely vacant land surrounding the historic site. The creation of this park will complement the rich history of Gilman Ranch through carefully selected design elements and aesthetics. Residents of the surrounding community will be able to enjoy much-needed, currently non-existent, park amenities and socially equitable access to outdoor recreation.
RivCoParks staff worked closely with the community to develop a plan for the park. Features will include a new community/recreation center, interpretive playground, picnic areas, botanical garden/orchard, disc golf course, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, pathways, parking lot with lighting, landscaping throughout the park, and interpretive nature hiking trail to adjoining scenic mountain areas with stunning views of the San Gorgonio pass.
California State Parks announced last week more than $548 million in grant funding to communities to deliver new parks, advancing the “California Outdoors for All” initiative to enable all Californians to access parks and open space. Awarded through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (under the state proposition 68), this grant program creates new parks and recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California.
The funding is part of a $548.3 million investment to expand parks across the state — the largest in California history.
“People from all over the world come to visit our state’s natural wonders, but too many Californians today lack access to parks and open space in their own neighborhoods,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “This historic investment will revitalize and create new parks in more than 100 local communities, dramatically expanding access to the outdoors across the state and ensuring more Californians from all walks of life can reap the benefits for our hearts, minds and bodies for generations to come.”
The half-billion in funding is being awarded through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program to expand parks’ access in underserved communities, with new or enhanced parks funded in every region of California, according to Newsom.
The complete list and map showing locations of the 112 projects receiving grant awards can be found by clicking here.
