Regional park property: County of San Bernardino: Glen Helen Regional Park.
Impact
The bill mandates that, before disposing of any Glen Helen Regional Park property, the county must appraise the fair market value of the area and proposed replacement sites, submit this information to the Department of Parks and Recreation, and secure a final written agreement ensuring the transfer of responsibilities related to any grant contracts to the new property. If by January 1, 2029, the county has not acquired such replacement property, the provisions of the bill will become inoperative.
Summary
Assembly Bill 385, introduced by Assembly Member Ramos, is focused on the Glen Helen Regional Park property located in San Bernardino County. The bill seeks to authorize the county to dispose of up to 4.2 acres of park property while ensuring that any disposal is accompanied by an acquisition of replacement property that holds equal or greater recreational value. It aims to address the requirements set by the Roberti-Zberg-Harris Urban Open-Space and Recreation Program Act, which governs the use of grant moneys provided for park development or improvements.
Sentiment
The sentiment towards AB 385 is largely positive among proponents who see it as a potential avenue to enhance recreational opportunities in San Bernardino County by allowing the county to manage its park assets more effectively. Conversely, there may be concerns regarding the environmental implications of property disposal and the adequacy of the replacement park property proposed by the county, particularly in light of community needs and accessibility.
Contention
Key points of contention surrounding this bill involve the balance between maintaining existing parkland and the merits of acquiring new property. Some stakeholders might raise questions about the adequacy of replacement property and whether environmental assessments are sufficiently thorough to ensure that the new parkland will offer equal or enhanced recreational value to the community compared to what is being disposed of at Glen Helen Regional Park.