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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A $7,016,086 STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION LAND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE VAN BUSKIRK RENOVATION/ REVITALIZATION PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a grant agreement from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $7,016,086;
2. Authorize the City Manager to appropriate grant revenues and expenditures in the amount of $7,016,086, and;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute and manage contractor agreements and consultant agreements in amounts consistent with the Grant Agreement.
It is also recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The City Manager’s Environment & Sustainability Division seeks City Council approval to accept $7,016,086 in grant funding from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Grant (LWCF). Pursuant to the authority of the State of California acting through the Liaison Officer to the LWCF program Financial Assistance to States section of the LWCF Act administered by the National Park Service (NPS), a grant agreement (Exhibit 1) has been presented to the City of Stockton for execution to fund and support the renovation of the Van Buskirk municipal golf course with new outdoor recreation facilities.
The Grant Agreement will support funding a portion of the first phase of the project including construction of new amenities such as a community garden, nature-based waterplay splash pad, nature-based shade structures, walking pathways with nature-based furnishings, multipurpose lawn, skate park, BMX pump track, bike trails, 2 new basketball courts and bathroom, with landscaping, lighting and fencing throughout. Including renovation of 2 existing basketball courts.
DISCUSSION
Background
This initial phase of the project is guided by the Van Buskirk Park Master Plan, which City Council formally adopted in August 2023 following an extensive two-year public engagement process. The Master Plan reflects input from more than a dozen stakeholder groups, five public meetings, and two community-wide surveys that together shaped a shared vision for a safe, accessible, and inclusive regional park. The adopted plan establishes a clear, Council-approved framework for redevelopment and serves as the guiding blueprint for all subsequent funding and implementation efforts. To support successful implementation of the master plan concept City staff are actively pursuing any available funding sources.
On April 2, 2024, City Council approved (Resolution No. 2024-04-02-1205) to accept the Round 4 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) funding to kick off the first phase of the Van Buskirk Municipal Golf Course Renovation project in the amount of $7,016,086.
On November 18, 2025, City Council approved (Resolution No. 2025-11-18-1208) accepting the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY2023-Community Project Funding Grant (CPF) to support environmental planning and design requirements for the project in the amount of $500,000.
On April 30, 2024, City staff submitted the final application documents to the State of California for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP), Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LWCF), as a match grant for an additional $7,016,086. City staff worked with the State of California Liaison Officer to complete all post selection requirements and was notified via email on August 19, 2025, that a Notice of Award was pending.
Present Situation
On May 5, 2026, City staff received the grant agreement contract (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution) and cover letter (Attachment A) for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program via email from State NPS project officer in the amount of $7,016,086. This agreement needs to be signed by the City Manager and returned to the State project officer as soon as possible. Over the past year City staff have worked with the project officer to complete all post selection requirements. In the email received on May 5, 2026, City staff were notified that the National Park Service (NPS) confirmed federal approval on August 29, 2025; this date will act as the start date of the grant performance period shown on the enclosed contract.
The LWCF grant, $7,016,086, the previously accepted HUD CPF grant, $500,000, (Resolution No. 2025-11-18-1208) and the Round 4 SPP grant, $7,016,086 (Resolution No. 2024-04-02-1205) contribute a total of $14,532,172 in funding to date for the Van Buskirk Renovation project. These funds will be used in combination to partially fund the first phase of design and construction for the project. While Phase 1 of Van Buskirk Park Revitalization project is underway, staff will continue to pursue additional grant funding to support current and future project phases, working towards the full scope of the re-use project as approved in the Master Plan.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The NPS LWCF grant award is $7,016,086. To establish the program and grant funding, an appropriation of revenue and expenditures of $7,016,086 is necessary in the City Manager’s Special Grants Fund - Reimbursement, General Administration Division. There will be no impact on the General Fund.
Attachment A - Contract Cover Letter