$1.37 million approved for revitalizing San Joaquin parks, new Lodi zoo exhibit
STOCKTON — San Joaquin County's Board of Supervisors approved $1.37 million for upgrades to multiple parks and recreation projects in the county.
Nine parks in the cities of Tracy and Stockton will be getting a much-needed facelift while a new exhibit could be coming to the Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi.
The money will come from the county's capital improvement project, bonds, revenue and general fund dollars and will go toward combatting vandalism and applying infrastructure improvements.
"There's infrastructure problems," said Paul Canepa, chair of the board of supervisors. "That's the most important part of government is to take care of the ones you already have and plan for the ones in the future."
The county will focus on repairing structures in parks and making sure lights and playground equipment work. Canepa said this funding is a no-brainer when it comes to improving the community.
"It needs to be fair and equitable," he said. "What's in north Stockton and north county needs to be in south county and parks that we run."
At the Micke Grove Zoo, there are already plenty of exhibits and live animals, but soon with this funding, it could also be home to a new primate exhibit.
While the initial investment is to get that exhibit off the ground with design and surveying, Canepa said this is just the start of obtaining even more funding down the line.
"We've turned a corner back to those who pay the taxes so that they can take their kids and families to places that are clean and enjoyable and safe," he said.
