San Bernardino News Daily Local news for San Bernardino, about San Bernardino.
San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran and members of the City Council officially broke ground on a $13.8 million project to renovate and upgrade the 44-acre Seccombe Lake Park near Downtown San Bernardino Thursday, March 27.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for earlier this month, included remarks from representatives from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Congressman Pete Aguilar, and County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr.
Major improvements planned for San Bernardino’s second largest park will include the restoration of the Park’s signature lake; new landscaping and irrigation; renovation of the gazebo and basketball courts; new lighting throughout the park; concrete walking paths; the restoration of the island in the middle of the lake, new playground equipment with large shade sails, upgrades to the dog park, and repaving of the parking lot.
Additional improvements include ADA upgrades, new fishing stations around the lake, EV charging stations, upgraded drinking fountains, restrooms, and trash enclosures, and the installation of palm tree solar lighting.
In December 2024 the City Council approved a contract with North Hollywood-based Landscape Support Services to perform the work. CSG Consultants, based in Orange, will provide construction management and inspection services for the project, and Riverside-based RHA Landscape Architects prepared the renovation plans.
Due to the extensive work planned, the park will be closed for approximately one year.
Funding for the project comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) as well as $1 million from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
The recent enhancement of Seccombe Lake Park is truly remarkable and long overdue. This project represents one of the most significant upgrades for the City of San Bernardino since the Carousel Mall. However, there is a pressing concern regarding the more than $13 million allocated for this initiative. Historically, any improvements have often been undermined by insufficient crime enforcement.
The question arises: is the city investing $13 million only to see it compromised by a lack of adequate crime prevention measures? Will law enforcement be enhanced to safeguard this substantial investment? If the answer is affirmative, that would be promising. Conversely, if the answer is negative, it raises alarms. It would be unwise to spend money on a project that may only thrive temporarily before it falls victim to homelessness and drug-related issues.
Consider other parks that once required millions for development but are now primarily inhabited by homeless individuals.