Group launches plan process for Jess Martin Park

New trails for walkers and joggers have been slated as upgrades to the park. Photo from Julian Journal Archives

By Bobbi Zane

A long wish list of changes for Jess Martin Park emerged from a planning meeting by a small group of Julian residents on Jan. 8 at the Julian Library.

Proposed improvements include new ball fields, a new concession stand, a pavilion/gazebo to provide summer shade, an all-weather picnic area with barbecues, and a paved perimeter trail with exercise stations that can be used by skaters, bikers and children on tricycles.

Gregg Schuett, president of the Volcan Mountain Foundation, chaired the meeting, which had been spurred by a challenge from Supervisor Dianne Jacob to “get some people together” and create a plan for the park.

The park’s development is a high priority for the supervisor, who told constituents at a coffee held Oct. 28 in Julian, “I am committed to making Jess Martin Park a first-class facility that everyone can be proud of.”

The community has voiced a need for park improvements, said Mike Hatch, chairman of the Intermountain Parks and Recreation board, a local organization that operates the park.

“Julian Pathways did a survey at the elementary and junior high schools recently that identified after-school activities and a community center as the highest priorities,” Hatch said.

The planning committee is comprised of about 12 people: IPR board members and interested local residents who are new to the Julian community.

Shuett and Hatch distributed a list of proposed improvements and invited the group to add to it. The original list included new ball fields; field fencing; a community center, new concession stand; pavilion; new grounds shed; new storage shed, jog/walk trail with exercise stations; covered dugouts for the Pinto field; picnic tables and benches; and landscaping.

Group members added facilities to the list that are expected in urban and suburban parks, such as barbecue pits for family use, restrooms and water. Also added were after-school transportation for children to the park; a ramp to replace stairs for the disabled that is compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act; and a two-lane paved trail wide enough for people to skate and walk at the same time.

The proposed community center was the discussed separately, with input on history provided by Jim Seger, who has been working on the project for several years. The need for a community center was identified years ago, he said, when a survey conducted by Healthy Start concluded, “Give the kids something to do after school.”

Seger said that a committee formed to work on the project has raised about $350,000 for the center. Original plans called for a conference room, a main hall that “could be rented out for evening functions,” a room dedicated for teenagers, restrooms, a kitchen, and involvement of senior citizens who could serve as mentors to the children. The group added the suggestion that the community center be enlarged and equipped for live theatrical presentations.

The meeting adjourned with no announced plans to meet again to prioritize the needs.