$4 million federal grant requires $1 million in City matching funds for the “one-of-a-kind facility”

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Antioch City Council approved the final design for the Bicycle Garden to be located at Prewett Family Park on a unanimous vote.

The cost of the project originally was estimated at $2.5 to $3.5 million when it was approved by the Council in April 2022 and was to be paid from the City’s General Fund. However, according to the City staff report, the new cost estimate is $5 million and, “In 2023, the Project was awarded the full requested amount of $4,000,000” from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All grant program. The City must provide a match of $1 million which will be paid from Development Impact Fees. (See related articles, here and here)

Prewett Park was chosen by the city council as the preferred location.

The presentation was provided by Andrew Dillard, Senior Engineer with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority who will oversee the project.

Funds for the project include $274,000 for CCTA Project Management, $176,000 for Environmental Clearance, $550,000 for Design, $3,450,000 for Construction and an additional $550,000 for Construction Management, he shared.

“All parks were considered throughout the city. But because of its central access…it really made it an optimal spot for the location,” Dillard stated.

The project will include restrooms and drinking fountains, he shared.

“The schedule includes completion of the environmental clearance and final design this summer and construction later in fall and winter, and complete construction in Summer/Fall 2026. We have until April of 2029 to complete every aspect of the project, which we’re well ahead of,” Dillard concluded.

Public Comments

Only one member of the public spoke on the agenda item.

“These dollars could have gone to actual bicycle improvements on Lone Tree Way. I’m sad about this bicycle garden,” said Andrew Becker.

Council Questions and Discussion

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said, “I’m quite shocked to see an entrance into this bicycle park across EBMUD utility lines. They never allow anyone to cross.”

“We’re working through the details with them,” Dillard responded.  

“The only thing they’ve ever allowed is Sutter Delta, here, the parking lot,” Freitas added.

“How are we going to manage this? There could be people, like on Lone Tree Way, racing each other. How do we control things?”

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger said the city attorney’s office will determine any liability the City may face.

“It’s designed to be a passive park, like most of our parks, it will be open,” Acting Assistance City Manager and Parks & Recreation Director Brad Helfenberger said. “The facility is somewhat revolutionary. So, it’s new territory we’re charting.”

“I was here when we opened the skate park and it very much became a police problem with older people causing problems for younger people,” Freitas stated.

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson asked about solar panels shown in the video but not on the map.

“That was discussed early on and that was just part of the video. It was decided not to pursue solar panels…because of the needs for electricity for the park,” Dillard said.

“Didn’t we take into consideration the disc golf course (which is currently located there)?” Wilson asked.

“Yes. We’ve had some initial discussion to move that to Harbor Manor Park,” Helfenberger responded. “We’ve had them along for the ride and they’ve been part of the discussion.”

“I like the park but I do have some concerns about the risk,” Wilson stated. “I’m looking forward to next steps and hearing more about it.”

Tamisha Torres-Walker said, “I protested the location because we have a lot of open space in District 1,” without offering any. “How many five- and six-year-olds can make it to that side of town?”

“So, it will not be gated or fenced off to the public?” the councilwoman asked.

“That is correct,” Helfenberger responded. “We have hours for other parks that this will follow.”

Bernal asked about the landscape plan and about “elements that are not easily broken and sturdy, and not easily vandalized.”

Dillard mentioned elements that will be “made out of wood…rugged” and landscaping that will be “low-maintenance…that can survive drought conditions. We’ve heard that loud and clear.”

Bernal asked about the color of the bike paths if it will be asphalt or yellow like in the video. He also asked if there will be walking paths, and shade structures since the “shade trees are 15 years away.”

Dillard said the bike paths will be asphalt, there will be separated, walking paths and shade structures.

Bernal then asked about annual maintenance costs, to which Helfenberger said it’s estimated at $120,000 per year.

The council then approved the conceptual design of the Bicycle Garden on a 5-0 vote.

See Project Staff Report to Council and Project Presentation to Council.

the attachments to this post:

Streetscape Elements & Agility

Bicycle Garden Streetscape Elements – Intersection Types

Bicycle Garden Conceptual Landscape Plan

Bicycle Garden Park Amenities

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Children & Families, City Council, News, Parks, Recreation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.