Union Ranch Park ready to break ground

The most controversial neighborhood park project in Manteca’s history is about to break ground.

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to approve the final documents to allow work to start on improvements for the 7.37-acre Union Ranch East Park along with 3.3 acres of linear park improvements. It includes a bike path that will eventually connect to the Tidewater Bikeway.

Residents of the neighborhood immediately east of Del Webb at Woodbridge in North Manteca balked at being assed landscape maintenance district fees for a park that didn’t yet exist. They also argued the city had no authority to assess the tax.

City officials cited state law that gave them the power to do so. Most of the controversy occurred because the park wasn’t constructed when the development broke ground as has been the norm almost everywhere else in Manteca. Also, buyers said the developers didn’t make the actual cost per year clear in their disclosure documents.

The $1.2 million park project is being paid for with fees collected from homes in the 400-plus lot neighborhood.

Park improvements include two playground areas - one for preschoolers and another for those 5 to 12 years of age. The playgrounds will flank a picnic area with a 35-foot octagon canopy. There will be tables under the shade structure as well as outside of it. Several barbecues will be put in place along with a basketball court, drinking fountains, decorative security lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.

The park is expected to be ready for use by spring.

By Dennis Wyatt
Managing Editor
dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
209-249-3519