Southern Humboldt Community Park Wins Grant

Southern Humboldt Community Park proposed sports complex.

Southern Humboldt Community Park proposed sports complex. [Image from the Draft Environmental Impact Report]

Press release from the Southern Humboldt Community Park Board:

The Southern Humboldt Community Park has been awarded a 2017 Community Grant from Humboldt Area Foundation. “We submitted a grant proposal to Humboldt Area Foundation in July to begin raising funds for the next phase of making the Southern Humboldt Community Sports Complex a reality,” said Ross Huber, member of the Community Park’s Board of Directors. “We want to bring sports fields to the Community Park and we are overjoyed to learn that Humboldt Area Foundation believes in this project and wants to be a part of it.”

The grant monies will be used to hire consultants to study and grade the land at the Community Park, in anticipation of beginning the development of sports fields in late 2018. “These experts will provide the necessary research to advise us on how to prepare the land for the fields,” Huber said. “We’re taking a slow and iterative approach, because responsible water use will determine the size of our sports complex. We would like these engineers to use the Environmental Impact Report as a blueprint and, coupled with their own research, to help us get it just right.”

For years, the Park’s staff and Board received community feedback about the lack of fields for organized recreation. “It was hard for Board members not to get lumps in our throats during this feedback process. We heard from a lot of parents who are worried about their kids not having enough healthy activities. This sports complex has been a long time coming.”

The Park also formed a community group in charge of determining the use of the future sports complex. “We formed the energetic CASH Committee,” said Huber. “CASH stands for Community Athletics of Southern Humboldt. Since there was so much interest from people representing different activities, it made sense to form a community group.” The CASH Committee wants people interested in BMX racing, skateboarding, adult softball, youth baseball and softball, youth and adult soccer to join the committee and offer their expertise and feedback on this community-based project.

For more information on the CASH Committee or how to get involved in this future sports complex project, please leave a message for Ross Huber at the Community Park office at (707) 923-2928. For more information about Humboldt Area Foundation, please visit their website at www.hafoundation.org.

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Eel River
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Eel River
6 years ago

What excellent news. Thank you so much Ross and the board! You’re making our community a better place and for that I cannot thank you enough.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Eel River

For years, the Park’s staff and Board received community feedback about the lack of fields for organized recreation. “It was hard for Board members not to get lumps in our throats during this feedback process. We heard from a lot of parents who are worried about their kids not having enough healthy activities. This sports complex has been a long time coming.”

And what “feedback process” would that have been? Here was the only Park Board public meeting about the Park rezone, back in 2009, and there have been none since. Maybe you can fill us in on your “process”?

http://www.redwoodtimes.com/article/ZZ/20090325/NEWS/903259660

so predictable
Guest
so predictable
6 years ago

cue Ed Voice in 3… 2… 1…

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  so predictable

What about public meetings? Will there be meetings about the “Sports Complex” open to the Public?

Will “CA$H” have meetings open to the Public?

You know the river has been below 30 CFS for awhile now, right?

Gp
Guest
Gp
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Ed do you live in this community? oh that’s right you don’t. Stop trying to interrupt or hamper a group of people who are trying to service their children with a safe place to play and developers their skills. How much have you done for our youth in this community?

spam
Guest
spam
6 years ago
Reply to  Gp

So because you live ‘here’ you get to do whatever the hell you please to suit your ‘needs’ and disregard the fact that the river cannot support all the development *you* want.

Maybe you shoulda though about all the down sides of living in a rural far-flung ‘community’ before you had a bunch of kids (adding to the pressures on the ‘resources’ available – in this case the South Fork of the Eel.) Nature bats last, eh?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Gp

How much have you done for our youth in this community?

Good questions GP; since I myself was a “youth” from “this community”, I know first hand what it is to grow up in Southern Humboldt and play sports. Its funny you talk about this huge population of children that need more space and grass to play sports, when in fact, the attendance of kids in schools has not changed since I attended kindergarten and graduated from South Fork (1962-1975).

My other question; are you expecting the towns of Garberville, Redway, Phillipsville, Miranda etc, to sacrifice and ration their water each dry season so you can have nice green sports fields for your children? Or endanger and threaten even more threatened and endangered species in the river? Maybe you should ask the Coho, Chinook or Steelhead how much they “have done for our youth in this community”? What about their community?

The facts are, the Park Boards own expert and consultant has publicly stated, that sports fields planned for the Park will need:

“8,764,113” million gallons of water (26.89 acre foot) from April to October each year for 10 acres of grass sports fields.

Not 8 thousand, but 8 MILLION gallons of water from the South Fork Eel River each year. Do you plan on installing 8 one Million gallons storage tanks?

And if you add all the other irrigation and water use at the Park, the total is “10,898,709” million gallons of water from the South Fork Eel River each year!

Why would you waste a $10,000 planning grant, when you know it’s not feasible?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

If you don’t want to believe me and deny or ignore the truth; be my guest and read my comments concerning the Park Boards use and diversion of water from the South Fork Eel River. Like the Park Board, I hired an expert too. It speaks for itself…

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1qq4OlQcPfddWd3NU8wbWFhRnM

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

8 million gallons? I’m floored.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

These photo’s were taken over the weekend at the Park, not sure if it’s the Park Farm or a privately leased farm, but you can see how they are using water from the river when it’s at its lowest flows in late September. They were watering like this Friday, Saturday and Sunday…

And its makes you wonder if they will be irrigating and watering ball fields in the same manner? Who will be making those decisions like in the picture? I thought the Park Board said they were only dry farming at the Park…

Does the Park Board’s greed for water outweigh the river’s need to support life?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

And who is living in that old school bus to the left in the photo? That is one hell of a rain bird, I guess drip irrigation doesn’t work well at the Park?

I guess when you don’t have to pay for water, you can use as much as you like…

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Please see pictures below, all taken today. How come 40 rainbirds are going full blast, watering pasture/grazing land for private use at the Park? And what’s up with that water storage tank? The Park Board only has riparian water rights from the river, no storage or “impoundment” of surface water is allowed with riparian water rights.

You do know the South Fork Eel is below 30 cfs right now, right? Is this how effectively you will be irrigating your ballfields? How much of that water is evaporated, before it even hits the ground?

The Coho, Chinook and Steelhead would be better served if you stop using their community water to make money for private lease holders.

Great example that actions speak louder than words…

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

More watering…

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

Illegal water storage at the Community Park for private use…

Taurus Ballzhof
Guest
Taurus Ballzhof
6 years ago

Well, it’s certainly gratifying that the board will get more money to pay themselves and steal. Good luck going forward!

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago

Why does the Community Park Board think its great to now have Barnum Timber Co as a sponsor for the Community Park?

I thought it was bad enough the Community Park Board is leasing Park property to Randall Sand & Gravel for instream gravel extraction, cement ready mix and processing, but now this?

From the Park Boards facebook page:

“The Community Park has a new sponsor! Welcome to Barnum Timber Company! We are so grateful for your support and we hope to meet you at this year’s Fall Splendor.”

“You can reach Barnum Timber at (707) 442-1761.”

“Thank you Barnum Timber!”

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1681268845230082&id=214882805202034

http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/board_decisions/adopted_orders/pdf/2015/140618_1-12-003HUM_NOV.pdf

Details details
Guest
Details details
6 years ago

How much money is the grant?

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago

The Grant was $10,000. Not sure why the Park Board doesn’t like to share this info with the public.

The Humboldt Area Foundation has been very generous to the SHCP Board; over the years and since 2002, the SHCP have been awarded over $63,000, i.e. trail development, picnic tables, information kiosks, Tooby Park playground equipment & fence, workshops, meetings, rezoning, Executive Director’s salary and now sports fields development & planning.

Boudreaux
Guest
Boudreaux
6 years ago

Consultants? A multi-use Soccer/Football field is 160 feet wide x 360 feet long. The playing surface should be slightly crowned for water run off which will be captured by skirt drains. There you go, tell me who to send the bill to.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Boudreaux

The CASH Committee wants people interested in BMX racing, skateboarding, adult softball, youth baseball and softball, youth and adult soccer to join the committee and offer their expertise and feedback on this community-based project.

So, is this the only way the general public can have a voice about your project? Will you let anyone “join” or will you restrict the public, like on your facebook page?

When will you have meetings open to the general public? And when will you stop being exclusive; only to a select group of private investors, private lenders, private sponsors and private lease holders?

Jim Gramm
Guest
Jim Gramm
6 years ago

Yes yes yes! Great news!

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  Jim Gramm

According to the Park Boards own “Conditions of Approval”:

“Construction of Ballfields: Prior to construction of the ballfields, the EIR requires implementation of a number of mitigation measures, including improvements to parking areas, landscaping, and submittal of an Adaptive Management Plan for water demand supply and water supply subject to review and approval of county agencies. See the certified EIR for more details.”

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1qq4OlQcPfdZ1V1NUFTMXhtdnc

So you think $10,000 will make a dent in that condition AND planning the sports fields themselves as well? I’m sure, given the Park Boards past track record, a large chunk of that grant will be earmarked for an administrative labor fee, paid to someone on the Park Board Staff. How come the public cannot see a copy of their proposal and budget for this grant?

koastdog
Guest
6 years ago

this is great thanks for pushing

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago

Will “CA$H” be having all their fundraisers in Eureka too?

spam
Guest
spam
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

I do, and many others are paying attention, too.

He is NOT alone.

Trillium Hummingbird
Guest
Trillium Hummingbird
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed Voice

OH, I don’t think that’s true… It is nice to have a few sober, educated opinions from folks who can document facts…

Here’s a fact for you: SoHum is shot in the ass with folks intent on scamming and stealing funds from the public, by creating and operating shady “not for profits”.

I recommend that citizens of SoHum watch very carefully, and do whatever they can to destroy, or at least marginally disrupt, crooked public agencies and bent “non-profits” like SHCHD, Mateel Community Center, and Southern Humboldt Community Park. Just because they hire Lawyers and Consultants to get around taxes and scrutiny does not mean it’s right!

Too many are making their living by stealing from everyone else! Demand accountability, honest, transparent management, and compliance with State and Federal Law.

This is what Ed is talking about.

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago

Sounds like a field of fun, until your universal health insurance denies your treatment. Chronic (repeated or preventative) issues are always the first to go during budget cuts and there’s always budget cuts while the monthly dues skyrocket.
For an eye opening, check out those who plan ahead.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK384608/#sb207.s2

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

From link above:
“The most common sports-related reasons for hospital use were bicycling, and walking, marching, and hiking….. Other top-ranked reasons for sport-related hospital use were basketball, football, school recess and summer camp, running, roller skating and skateboarding, soccer (ED only), baseball (ED only), downhill skiing and snowboarding (inpatient only), and horseback riding (inpatient only).”
etc etc

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

Just heard the Park Board BS about “Sports Fields” on KMUD tonight:

https://soundcloud.com/kmudnews/southern-humboldt-community-park-receives-humboldt-area-foundation-grant

It’s amazing to hear young Huber and who ever this Vogel guy is; not to talk about the elephant in the room, which is water for irrigating the “Sports Fields”, i.e. where is the water coming from?

But it’s the fact the Park Board has already put together a “Sports Fields” group or Committee with no meetings open to the public???

Who are these people and what are they planning without the public knowing?

Here is some of what’s required in the Park Boards EIR and Rezone:

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL CASE NOS.: CUP-10-04, SP-10-10

1. The project shall be developed and conducted in accordance with the Plan of Operation and the Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. The Plan of Operation identifies on-going requirements of Small, Medium and Large Events, and the mitigation measures in the Mitigation and Monitoring Plan include both one-time requirements and other requirements that will apply for the life of the project. Some of the mitigation measures are highlighted below:

Construction of Ballfields: Prior to construction of the ballfields, the EIR requires implementation of a number of mitigation measures, including improvements to parking areas, landscaping, and submittal of an Adaptive Management Plan for water demand supply and water supply subject to review and approval of county agencies. See the certified EIR for more details.

“Authorization for modifications to jurisdictional waters on the site shall be obtained by the applicant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) under Section 1602 of the State Fish and Game Code”

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago

“We submitted a grant proposal to Humboldt Area Foundation in July to begin raising funds for the next phase of making the Southern Humboldt Community Sports Complex a reality,” said Ross Huber, member of the Community Park’s Board of Directors. “We want to bring sports fields to the Community Park and we are overjoyed to learn that Humboldt Area Foundation believes in this project and wants to be a part of it.”

But this $10,000 grant had nothing to do with the fact that Kathryn Lobato is on the Board of the Humboldt Area Foundation and Executive Director of the Southern Humboldt Community Park ($63k salary)?

How come you never had a public meeting about the grant, sports field complex, or committee for Community Athletics of Southern Humboldt (CA$H)?

Is Ross Huber taking all the responsibility and accountability for this?

Bob and Marilyn Casey
Guest
Bob and Marilyn Casey
6 years ago

Congratulations! This is great news. Our grandkids will be excited.

Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago
Ed Voice
Guest
Ed Voice
6 years ago

Here is the Park Boards linecard for sponsors, they need to start wearing shirts and jackets like NASCAR…

http://www.sohumpark.org/community/sponsors/