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McNeil Park Project
Project Overview
McNeil Park will be built on the site of the old El Portal Elementary School. Formerly known as SPARC (San Pablo Area for Recreation and Community), the new 4.8-acre community park will serve all San Pablo residents.
Image 1: Map of the McNeil Park project site at 2600 Moraga Rd.
The McNeil Park project site, named after former San Pablo mayor and councilmember Leonard R. McNeil, is the former home of El Portal Elementary School. The school was closed by the West Contra Costa Unified School District and the building sat vacant. The City of San Pablo purchased the site from the School District in 2006. The City is revitalizing the site as a community park to serve the nearly 8,000 residents residing within a half-mile of the park site and the community as a whole.
In 2019, the City of San Pablo reached out to residents to understand what the community would like to see in the park. During this outreach process, the park was called SPARC (San Pablo Area for Recreation and Community). Based on residents’ input, an initial design concept for SPARC was developed.
The City has received grant funding to complete the design and to construct the almost 4.8-acre park. Outreach was conducted through online surveys and a number of community workshops and discussions in the summer and fall of 2024. Construction of the park is expected as soon as the City secures additional funding for construction.
Preliminary Design Concept
Image 2: Preliminary Design Concept for McNeil Park (Presented at Community Workshop on November 12, 2024)
Project Schedule
- 2024: Community Outreachh and Engagement
- 2025-2026: Design and Engineering
- 2027: Construction (anticipated)
Project Team
Project Manager: Amanda Booth, Environmental Program Manager, City of San Pablo
Project Design Lead: CSWST2, Richmond, CA
Project Construction Contractors: TBD
Project Contact
If you have any questions regarding the project, please email Amanda Booth at AmandaB@sanpabloca.gov or call (510) 215-3066.
Project Funding
The total estimated cost of the McNeil Park Project is $11.2 million
This project is made possible through the following funding sources.
- City of San Pablo Funds: $770,000
- California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA):
- Urban Greening Program: $4.79 million
- CNRA’s mission is to restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration and respect for all the communities and interests involved.
For more information, visit CNRA.
- California State Parks:
- Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS): $3.0 million
- The California State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) is a part of the Community Engagement Division of State Parks. OGALS mission is “…to address California’s diverse recreational, cultural and historical resource needs by developing grant programs, administering funds, offering technical assistance, building partnerships and providing leadership through quality customer service.”
- Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS): $3.0 million
For more information, visit CSP.
Past Outreach Events
Winter Wonderland Event
Friday, December 6th, 2024 - 5 to 8 PM
San Pablo City Hall -- 1000 Gateway Ave, San Pablo CA
Community Workshop at the San Pablo Community Center
Workshop: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 6:00pm (Presentation at 6:30pm)
San Pablo Community Center-Community Hall
2450 Road 20, San Pablo, CA
The Project team presented the preliminary design concept for McNeil Park. Community members were invited to come for the presentation but were also welcome to drop in at any time. All ages were welcome and Spanish interpretation services were provided.
Click Here to view the event flyer.
City Hall-oween Event
Thursday, October 24th, 2024 - 5 to 8 PM
San Pablo City Hall -- 1000 Gateway Ave, San Pablo CA
Community Workshop at the San Pablo Library
Workshop #1: Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 10:00am-2:00pm (Presentations at 10:00am and 12:00pm)
Workshop #2: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 - 6:30-8:00pm (Presentation at 6:30pm)
San Pablo Library-Community Room
13751 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo, CA
The Project team presented various design concepts and shared proposed design ideas for McNeil Park. Community members were invited to come for the presentation but were also welcome to drop in at any time. The workshop on both dates was the same so residents could attend either. All ages were welcome and Spanish interpretation services were provided.
Click Here to view the event flyer.
National Night Out
The McNeil Park project team introduced the project, shared potential elements of the park design, and asked community members for feedback and prioritization of preferred design elements. Feedback was gathered via a simple survey available via QR code or engagement with printed boards. 2-4 24x36 boards were available to share images of potential design elements. Community members were voted on elements via colored dots and shared ideas with staff. Spanish-speaking and staff attended to engage with community members.
Lunch Talk at San Pablo Senior Center
Thursday, August 8, 2024, - 11:00 AM
San Pablo Senior Center – 1943 Church Lane, San Pablo