"Anyone can use the park free any time if not reserved" 

DIXON, CA (MPG) - After hearing a park facility fee proposal “with a built-in escalator” from Public Works Director Louren Kotow who emphasized they had not been raised in 12 years the motion was unanimously approved by Parks and Recreation Commissioners at their last meeting last week.

"It is common knowledge that fees are for reservations but anyone can use the park free any time if not reserved," Kotow explained. Commissioner Charles King asked why other communities that were much larger than Dixon were used in the study and if the public was aware of what was going on. Commissioner Angelic Villalpondo asked about the bottom line deficit.

"Every category is running at a deficit and that is absorbed into the General Fund," said Kotow. There are increased costs for extra hours at time and a half, emptying trash, cleaning restrooms, etc. she explained. "We are talking about resident user fees, not non-profit or group user fees. Every city around Dixon has increased their fees. It is more about the market value than what it costs you," she added.

"This is the third time this has been brought forward due to Covid, we hit 'pause.' Every April, there is a Public Hearing with notices before increases are effective in July," Kotow explained. The motion was carried unanimously.

In other news, the playground at Northwest Park has been demolished but one will see new equipment installed in about three more weeks, according to reports.

"We did surveys on Facebook and there was a resounding 38.6% of people who wanted the forest green roof with brown trim so the shade structure will match that," said Kotow in a report to the commissioners. The equipment is supposed to last 30 years but the parks have experienced "substantial vandalism," she added.

Other improvements discussed was the digging of a new trench at Hall Park so that drinking fountains could be installed. The new drinking fountains at all parks will also feature water bottle fillers and a dog bowl at the bottom.

The group also heard recreational updates from Recreation Manager Jean Houseman, who shared the success of the four tennis camps as well as 25 children at the STEM Lego Camp. They are working on a Memorandum of Understanding with Youth Football and Cheer and hoping for a fall league MOU with Dixon Girls Softball.

Chair Yoga is seeing eight to 10 participants every Monday and the Dixon Senior Club and Senior Advocates are planning to start an activity calendar in September which should feature a monthly Bunco, Out-to-Lunch Bunch, and a new sewing and craft class.

There are plans for a Senior Resource Fair in October and a Senior Holiday Lunch.

"It's good getting the planning [calendar] back," Houseman said. In another report by Recreation Supervisor Austin George, the swim lessons are going very well.

"Lap Swim was very popular this summer and I think it is because of plenty of time options," he said. Dixon High School will start Water Polo August 9 and run through November, he added.

New Commissioner KC Baltz was welcomed onto the team.

For more information, go to CityofDixon.us./ParksRecreationCommission or call Houseman at (707) 678-7022.