Politics & Government

Rankin Park Renovation Moves Forward

No Native American artifacts found, city engineer says.

The Rankin Park renovation is proceeding, with the installation of the storm drain system and the new retaining walls that will surround the play equipment.

“We haven’t found any Native American shells,” said city engineer Tim Tucker, referring to a contention from several residents that the work crews were grading over known Native American archeological sites.  “There has already been quite a bit of grading in this park over the years. It’s been a park for 50 years. I think every arrowhead and archeological thing has been found by now.”

The storm drain system has mostly been installed now, and the walls around the play areas are in, Tucker said.

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Work on the park, which is being paid for with Measure H funds – a $30 million bond voters approved in 2008 – will feature customized play equipment, a new gazebo, picnic areas and accessibility for those with disabilities.

Another controversy – the removal of 50 trees to allow grading the entire site for disabled accessibility – was necessary, Tucker said, under federal Americans With Disability Act requirements.  However, he pointed out that 90 new trees will be planted, including several large olive trees that will replace the four olive trees planted by the original owner of the property, James Rankin, for whom the park is named.

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Tucker said the new park should be open by next spring, if the weather permits work to proceed as expected.


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