Folsom City Council moves ahead on new park plans, redistricting hearings continue

The Folsom City Council moved forward this week with plans to develop parks in the Empire Ranch and Mangini Ranch subdivisions. The council on Tuesday approved the preferred master plan for the first park south of Highway 50. The 11.8-acre site, currently known as "Neighborhood Park #3" (NP3), is located adjacent to Mangini Ranch Elementary School on Mangini Parkway. There are 741 homes occupied in the Mangini area as of last June, said Folsom Senior Park Planner Brad Nelson. As currently planned, the park will include a children's play area with a zip line, restrooms, a large 25' x 40' shade structure, a small shade structure, lighted ball field, dog park, lighted tennis courts, lighted full basketball court, two lighted sandlot volleyball courts and informal hillside seating. A large cricket field was considered last summer, but community members chose an alternate plan that includes a multi-used soccer field adaptable to frisbee, rugby, festivals, fairs and a farmers market, officials said. "The community did not feel cricket was appropriate at NP3, but perhaps more suitable for a larger site," said Nelson. The plan was recommended by the Folsom Parks and Recreation Planning and Development Subcommittee. Nelson added that Mangini School officials said they will open the school parking lot at certain times. Benevento Family Park The council also decided Tuesday to go with the "phased" development of the planned Benevento Family Park site on Broadstone Parkway at Carpenter Hill Drive in Empire Ranch. Park officials presented a tentative plan for a nine-acre portion of the total 19-acre parksite (see map) adjacent to Vista Del Lago High School. Rather than a "passive" park, planners decided to go with an "active" park that caters to structured individual team activities requiring specific facilities. An active park also generates more income for the city through facility rentals. Benveneto would likely be the last active park developed north of Highway 50, according to the staff report. Park officials decided to include eight sandlot volleyball courts to meet the increased interest in Folsom and growth in the sport. A volleyball complex would bring additional rental, clinic, camp and tournament opportunities. Staff determined an eight-court complex could generate $42,000 annually, offsetting the $43,000 expected yearly cost of maintaining the park. The first phase would include a ball diamond, soccer field, parking lot, children's play facilities, a park shelter, and woodlands. With several elevations, the project would also use a former ranch stock pond on the property, with a fishing pier included. The council last year approved partial funding of $3 million for design, engineering and construction of Benevento. An additional $2.4 million will be needed for the phased option, and officials peg a combination of impact fees, grants and the general fund to raise the money. Redistricting hearings continue In other business, the council held the second of five required public hearings to divide Folsom into five voting districts to replace the current at-large voting system. Each council district must have substantially equal population, as determined by the Census. Officials reported that required state census data is three weeks late, potentially pushing back the date of later public hearings. The next public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Nov. 9. Residents Scott Rafferty and Teresa Garcia voiced concern over gerrymandering. "I hope that Folsom residents who want to be involved in the process can have input in drawing the district map. It is critical, in the work ahead, to ensure that districts are fair and free of gerrymandering that might benefit any group or special interest," Garcia said in an email. Four-way stop sign approved After numerous complaints of inbound El Dorado County speeders, the council also approved a four-way stop sign for Iron Point Road and Dry Creek Road. New signs and street markings will cost up to $4,000, paid out of the Measure A traffic safety funds, according to the staff report.