Loomis weighs shade structures or full trees for downtown park

After 10-year-old trees have failed to grow as expected around the Train Depot Plaza, Loomis Town officials are studying costly shade structures or planting full-grown trees. The Loomis Town Council hosted a powerpoint presentation Dec. 12 about proposed shade structures around the Loomis Train Depot public building and adjacent Blue Anchor Park downtown. The preliminary cost for installing "shade sails" is estimated at roughly $450,000, staff said. The fiscal year 2022-23 budget included a shade structure project at Blue Anchor Park and the Historic Train Depot Plaza. The Town of Loomis park fund - collected by new home fees - currently stands at $1 million, staff said. "The full scope of this project had never really been worked out, but it was funded at a conceptual level with a $75,000 budget," according to the report. Working with Loomis Town under an on-call contract, AEON Landscape Architecture prepared the shade structure designs. "Well-designed structures would provide immediate shade for everyday use and special events, provide comfort during hot summer months, and would add to the aesthetic appeal of this important community space," staff said in the report. In scoping the project, it was observed that many of the trees planted around Blue Anchor Park and the Loomis Depot in 2011 have not grown fast enough to provide any substantial amount of shade, staff said. Town Engineer Merrill Buck said it might be a soil problem. Loomis resident Dave Dalli and others questioned the high cost and suggested planting mature trees. "There are trees out there that will offer shade immediately after they are planted in the ground," Dalli said. Speaking via Zoom, former Mayor Miguel Ukovich said the $1 million park fund is also for acquiring land for parks. The council directed staff to return with information on possibly planting full-grown trees instead, and to clarify park fund uses.