Rep. Pete Aguilar Secures $1M for Redlands’ Texonia Park Renovations
City of Redlands press conference video still
Rep. Pete Aguilar offers remarks at Texonia Park during his announcement of congressional funding for the park’s renovations.
By DAVID JAMES HEISS
Redlands News Collective
REDLANDS, Calif. — Following a series of workshops where residents offered input on how the city could improve Texonia Park, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) announced May 4 that he secured $1 million in community project funding for renovations and safety and accessibility upgrades.
The funding will benefit the community park located at the corner of Lugonia Avenue and Texas Street. Plans for the revamped 10.7-acre park include a new parking lot, ADA-compliant walking paths, restroom improvements, an inclusive playground and splash pad, resurfaced basketball courts, and a dog park.
“This is not only a passive park, but it is a most active park here in this community,” Mayor Mario Saucedo said during a ceremony marking the funding milestone. “You see little flag football players, soccer players come out here, and in the afternoon and on weekends, you see families come out having picnics and events. We’re really excited to see this plan come to fruition.”
Photo by David James Heiss
A basketball court at Texonia Park.
Since early 2020, the city’s Facilities and Community Services Department has explored funding options, specifically through Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program grants. These grants are intended to enhance parks and recreational facilities, coinciding with the city’s desire to simultaneously fund upgrades to the Redlands Community Center.
As part of the city’s application, officials requested $3.745 million. The initial breakdown included:
$1 million for two new mini-football fields
$600,000 for a new parking lot
$500,000 for public art
$375,000 for a new basketball court
$285,000 for restroom renovations
$180,000 for a new playground
$150,000 for a new baseball diamond
$90,000 for a picnic area and gazebo
$85,000 for a walking loop
Additional funding was donated by Music Changing Lives to assist with mural work and court resurfacing. In October 2023, the City Council approved a $149,500 agreement with Yucaipa-based Higginson Architects to design the project.
Photo by David James Heiss
Multiple youth sports activities take place into early evening at Texonia Park.
Aguilar returned to his hometown to participate in the celebration.
“Texonia’s improvements and amenities are going to help continue to help soccer fields’ accessibility, making this park more open and more accessible for more people,” Aguilar said.
The funding he helped secure “is a small piece,” he noted, but “it’s an important piece, and the council has dedicated resources for these renovations and improvements as well.”
Aguilar said he was “so honored to be able to play a small role in this.”