Title
Authorization to Advertise and Award a Construction Contract for Shade Structures at Village View Park and Related CEQA Environmental Review Update Checklist (District: 5)
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Overview
In March of 2020, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) purchased 6.8 acres of future parkland to the east of the existing Fallbrook Community Center to address a lack of access to nature and active recreation opportunities in the community of Fallbrook. The Fallbrook Local Park Project (Project), now known as Village View Park, was constructed between 2023 and 2025 and held its grand opening in September of 2025. The park features a skatepark, playground areas, field space, restrooms, native planting areas, multi-use paths, and a small and large dog park, and has seen extensive and continuous use since opening. After opening to the public, DPR received community comments about a lack of shade in the skatepark, dog parks, and playground. Today’s request is to advertise and award a construction contract to add shade structures at this park.
On October 20, 2021 (7), DPR brought the Project to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to approve the advertisement and award of a construction contract for Village View Park, and the Department of Purchasing and Contracting (DPC) took the project out to public bid on May 26, 2023. Due to concerns of construction cost escalation and ensuring adequate funding to complete the project, the shade structures in the skatepark and dog park areas were included as optional additional items, but not built at the end, to afford the construction contract for the lowest responsible bidder and ultimately allowed the project construction to proceed. Throughout construction, thoughtful oversight and planning by the County and Contractor resulted in savings over the life of the project with approximately $420,000 remaining in the capital project balance.
Today’s proposed actions will authorize the use of $420,000 in existing Capital Project 1022921 Fallbrook Local Park (Village View Park) to advertise and award a construction contract and support administration of the addition of shade structures in the community-requested areas of the skatepark, dog parks, and playground within Village View Park. No additional funds will be requested for this action.
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Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
1) Find that the Initial Study (IS)/Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) for the Fallbrook Local Park Project (State Clearinghouse #2021070463), previously certified by the Board of Supervisors on October 20, 2021 and on file with the Department of Parks and Recreation has been completed in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and State and County CEQA Guidelines, and that the Board of Supervisors has reviewed and considered the information contained therein prior to approving the project.
2) Find that there are no changes in the project, or, in the circumstances under which the project is undertaken, that involve significant new impacts which were not considered in the previously adopted MND dated October 20, 2021. Furthermore, find that there is no substantial increase in the severity of the previously identified significant effects, that no new information of substantial importance has become available since the IS/MND was adopted, as explained in the Environmental Review Update Checklist Form dated September 9, 2026, and that the previously adopted IS/MND is therefore adequate without modification.
3) Authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to advertise and award a construction contract and to take any action authorized by Section 401, et seq. of the Administrative Code, with respect to contracting for the Village View Park Shade Structures project.
4) Designate the Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, as the County of San Diego Officer responsible for administering the construction contract for the Village View Park Shade Structures project in accordance with Board Policy F-41, Public Works Construction Projects.
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Equity Impact Statement
The Village View Park site is located within an underserved community where 81% of residents are classified as Low and Moderate income. There are also populations of children below the age of 17 (25% of Fallbrook population), adults above the age of 65 (18%), and athletes that use Village View Park daily. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment CalHeatScore tool has identified all these populations as specific populations that can experience disproportionate health impacts due to excess heat. The addition of shade structures mitigates the impacts of heat-related health impacts on these populations.
Sustainability Impact Statement
The construction of shade structures at Village View Park will result in sustainability enhancements to the County of San Diego (County) by contributing to several of the County Sustainability Goals, including Goal No. 1 to engage the community; Goal No. 2 to provide just and equitable access; and Goal No. 4 to protect health and well-being. This project will contribute to the health and well-being of residents of Fallbrook, an underserved community that has limited access to recreational activities and green amenities, by creating a more comfortable, usable, and inclusive outdoor environment.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Operational Plan in the Capital Outlay Fund for Capital Project 1022921 Fallbrook Local Park (Village View Park). If approved, this request will result in costs and revenue of $420,000 in FY 2026-27. The funding source is General Fund Fund Balance. Construction costs for the shade structures are estimated to be $420,000, including contingency. Upon completion of the project, there will be no additional costs for operations and maintenance, as ongoing maintenance will be provided by existing staff in the Department of Parks and Recreation. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
The Fallbrook Community Planning Group (CPG) and Fallbrook Local Parks Advisory Committee (CSA-81) have shown unwavering support for the original construction of Village View Park, and have both shared comments with the County of San Diego (County) since the park’s opening requesting additional shade amenities due to the park’s popularity and consistent usage. Both groups additionally included support of additional shade amenities at the park on their 2025/2026 Park Land Dedication Ordinance (PLDO) Priority lists.
Background
The request for shade structures in Village View Park follows after an extensive community engagement and planning process. In March of 2020, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) purchased 6.8 acres of future parkland to address a critical lack of access to nature and active recreation opportunities in the community of Fallbrook. Following the purchase of the land, DPR facilitated an extensive bilingual (English/Spanish), community-driven design process to shape the new park, featuring three public meetings and ongoing collaboration with the Fallbrook Community Planning Group (CPG), County Service Area No. 81 - Fallbrook Local Parks Advisory Committee CSA-81), and skate and play focus groups. This includes three bilingual (English/Spanish) virtual public meetings and continued engagement with the Fallbrook Community Planning Group, County Service Area No. 81 - Fallbrook Local Parks Advisory Committee, and skate and interpretive signage focus groups. The area of Fallbrook where this park is located is an economically underserved community that is deficient in both parkland and active recreation opportunities.
The public engagement process revealed that residents were interested in a diversity of experiences for Fallbrook Local Park (now known as Village View Park), including multi-use paths, adventure play opportunities, picnic areas, an off-leash dog zone (all of which feature accessible options), and an open lawn. These amenities were prioritized throughout detailed design and construction documentation. These features are collectively included as scope requirements throughout the various grants that supported the project. The project funding included grants from the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS), and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), as well as a grant from a local non-profit, Fallbrook Skatepark, Inc. Village View Park satisfied all these grants and created an exciting new park experience for Fallbrook residents featuring the community-prioritized amenities listed above.
On October 20, 2021 (7), DPR brought the Project to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to approve the advertisement and award of a construction contract for Village View Park, and to authorize the Department of Purchasing and Contracting (DPC) to advertise and award a construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
On May 26, 2023, DPC took the project out to public bid. The lowest responsive and responsible bid for the construction contract came in at $10,775,070 which exceeded the existing project budget. Due to concerns of construction cost escalation and ensuring adequate funding to complete the project, the shade structures in the skatepark and dog park areas were included as optional additional items, and not built at the end, to afford the construction contract for the lowest responsible apparent bidder. Throughout construction, thoughtful oversight and planning by the County of San Diego (County) and Contractor resulted in savings over the life of the project. This left approximately $420,000 remaining in the capital project fund.
Since the opening of the park in September of 2025, the community has shown wide support and praise for the park, and it has become a beloved Fallbrook community amenity. A comment received consistently from the community directly to County staff is the desire for more shade throughout the park, particularly in the skatepark, dog park, and playground areas. This includes one structure in the playground area that was requested by the community after construction was completed. These sentiments have been echoed by both the Fallbrook Community Planning Group and Fallbrook Local Parks Advisory Committee.
With the remaining balance in the capital project budget, today’s proposed actions will authorize the use of $420,000 in existing Capital Project 1022921 Fallbrook Local Park (Village View Park) to award a construction contract and support administration of the addition of shade structures in the community-requested areas of the skatepark, dog parks, and playground within Village View Park. No new funds are being requested as part of this action.
Environmental Statement
An Initial Study (IS)/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared by the Department of Parks and Recreation for the Fallbrook Local Park Project (SCH 2021070463) and adopted by the Board of Supervisors on October 20, 2021 (7). There are no changes to the project, or in the circumstances under which the project is undertaken, that involve significant new impacts which were not considered in the previously adopted IS/MND dated October 20, 2021. Furthermore, there is no substantial increase in the severity of the previously identified significant effects, and no new information of substantial importance has become available since the IS/MND was adopted, as explained in the Environmental Review Update Checklist Form dated September 9, 2026. Therefore, the previously adopted IS/MND is adequate without modification.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today's proposed actions support the Sustainability and Community Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2026 - 2031 Strategic Plan by cultivating a natural environment for residents, visitors, and future generations to enjoy.
Respectfully submitted,
Dahvia Lynch
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Environmental Review Update Checklist Form