City of Redlands Spending $386,000 to Renovate Restrooms at Nine Parks

The City of Redlands plans to spend $386,000 on renovating restrooms at nine parks, a spokesman said in a recent announcement.

Restroom renovations are planned at Smiley, Sylvan, Community, Sports, Ford, Jennie Davis, Texonia, Brookside, and Crafton parks, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

"The City of Redlands has approximately 235 acres of park space," Baker said. "Many of the restrooms located throughout the City parks are in need of repair. The Quality of Life Department's Parks Division plans to rehabilitate and standardize public park restrooms beginning with the nine most frequently visited and used City parks."

On March 5 the city council authorized Quality of Life department staff to prepare plans for the $386,000 project for nine parks, and to establish an annual reserve of $50,000 to rehabilitate restrooms in the City's remaining parks, Baker said.

"Funds for the project will come from the Parks and Recreation account established with proceeds from the City's sale of the nearly 12-acre Nevada Palmetto citrus grove," Baker said.

Work may vary from park to park, but renovations are expected to include installation of automatic locks, replacing fixtures, doors and partitions, upgrading lighting and other electrical components, resurfacing floors and repainting, according to Baker.

"Restrooms may remain open during portions of the renovation period," Baker said. "Temporary restrooms will be provided whenever a full closure is necessary."

Work has already begun on restrooms in Smiley Park and will continue "through the coming months" at each of the nine parks, Baker said.