New Xabatin Community Park officially opens
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Hundreds of people came out on Thursday afternoon to celebrate and enjoy the city of Lakeport’s newest park.
Xabatin (pronounced Ka-bah-ten) Community Park, located on the lakeside at the former Natural High School site, was a longtime dream for the city of Lakeport.
The dream began to move into reality in early 2020, when the city received a $5.9 million State Parks grant that made it possible to purchase the majority of the property from the Lakeport Unified School District, along with a small portion from a family, and to pay for the construction.
Since the park project got underway, it had been called “Lakefront Park,” but that was a placeholder name. At the Lakeport City Council’s Oct. 17 meeting, it voted to approve naming the new facility “Xabatin Community Park,” as a tribute to Lakeport’s Pomo tribal history.
The city also honored the Pomo through inviting tribal members to be a key part of the Thursday ceremony, with a land acknowledgment, a blessing by Big Valley tribal elder Ron Montez and, at the new gazebo, Pomo dancers who twirled in feathers and colorful regalia as part of a traditional dance performance.
Thursday’s grand opening came just a year after the park’s construction officially began.
The Lakeport City Council awarded the $4,399,381 construction contract to Redding-based Builders Solutions Inc. in August 2022. Construction began on Oct. 17, 2022.
Public Works Director Ron Ladd told the Lakeport City Council at its Aug. 1 meeting that the park’s completion had originally been set for May 25.
However, the winter weather of earlier this year — including snow that coated the city — pushed back the park’s completion day.
Builder Solutions Inc. was afforded 150 days to complete the park. As of the start of August, Ladd said there had been 77 nonworking days due to inclement weather.
City Manager Kevin Ingram said that while the park was ready to be opened — the lights are active and the splash pad is operational, although it wasn’t in use on Thursday because of the bands — there is still “quite a punch list” of tasks to complete.
The new sod was recently put in place, but it will be three to four weeks before people can walk on it, he said.
The park features a lakefront promenade that winds all the way down to Library Park. The path around the edge of the park leads to a round viewing area perched on the edge of the lake.
The expansive view from that spot illustrates the meaning of Xabatin — “big water.”
The park is oriented toward Mount Konocti, and it gives the feeling that the mountain is part of it.
Mayor Stacey Mattina agreed with the visual impression that the park layout offers, calling it an “infinity park.”
The park also includes a skatepark for bikes and boards that was the site of special demonstrations by skilled riders, a basketball court, ninja gym, amphitheater, a splash pad shaped like Clear Lake, sheltered picnic areas and a building that houses both a concession facility and bathrooms.
Ingram recounted the challenges that went along with the park’s development.
Despite the $5.9 million grant, “We were a little short,” when it came to the funds necessary to complete the project, said Ingram.
Ingram said the council approved $1 million out of reserves so they didn’t have to cut amenities — like the ninja gym, which had been at the top of the list of what might have been removed.
“We were sweating bullets when the construction bids came back,” he said.
The city was concerned about what the price tag might be due to the supply chain issues that came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he said Builder Solutions Inc. came in with a bid that allowed the city to complete the park.
“They’ve been fantastic partners,” he said of the company.
While Ingram said of the park, “We can see all the beautiful things” that it offers, what you can’t see — the park infrastructure — is built right and will last.
“It was truly a team effort,” said Paul Curren, the city of Lakeport’s engineer.
He said the city is blessed with talent, like Project Coordinator Vince Salcedo, who has 30 years of experience.
Mattina said Salcedo was on site every day, working on details such as which of several shades of blue to paint the splash pad.
The result, said Ingram, “is exactly what we were envisioning,” all the way around — from the grand opening to the completed park.
“This exceeds my expectations,” Ingram said.
With this major project completed, what’s next on the city’s to do list?
A new hotel, said Mattina.
The city plans to put out a request for proposals for the Dutch Harbor site next to the park. She said there already is interest in the site.
Mattina said they also want to build a new pool in the city.
She said the new park will help the hotel project, pointing out that Lake County is an easy place to get to from the Bay Area.
“Build it and they will come,” she said.
They’re also looking forward to seeing new Christmas traditions at the park.
And there is still more to do at Xabatin Park. “There’s a lot of room for additional things at this park,” such as more work along the lakefront, Ingram said.
“This is just a start,” he added.
During a visit last week, State Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire toured the park, and Ingram said McGuire told them he wants to see more projects from Lake County.
“I guess we’ll oblige,” Ingram said.
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