The City of San Bernardino has announced nearly $2 million in grants from the County of San Bernardino and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to fund major upgrades to Rick Speicher Family Memorial Park.
San Manuel has committed $1 million for the project and the County of San Bernardino has committed $950,000.
The funding will be used to renovate the fields, including the installation of artificial turf, upgrade lighting, install new bleachers, install a new scoreboard, demolish and construct a new snack bar, construct two new ADA-compliant bathrooms, and upgrade other park amenities.
“I’m honored to be a part of this partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the City of San Bernardino, and San Bernardino County,” said Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., who presented an oversized ceremonial check to the city council on September 21. “Working together we are able to invest in open space and park improvements for our deserving families to enjoy.”
The 28-acre park, located on Arden Avenue near Pacific Street in the northeast part of the city, is heavily used by members of the community, baseball and softball leagues, skateboarders, and by students from San Gorgonio High School, which is located across the street from the park.
“We are grateful to San Manuel and Supervisor Baca for funding to help transform Speicher Park,” said San Bernardino Council Member Sandra Ibarra, who represents the area. “By this time next year, visitors to the park will be amazed by all the improvements.”
County funding for this project from the will come from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds made available to Supervisors to address needs in their district. Funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will come from the Tribe’s philanthropic arm, which provides support to local non-profits and public agencies for uses that align with their pillars of giving and community support.
Earlier this year, the City Council approved spending $650,000 for a separate project to replace Speicher’s skate park, which was forced to close earlier this year. After working with local skaters on a vision for a new skate park, the selection of a design firm is currently underway with construction to begin in 2023.