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| Feature Story: Aera Park Opening
The 40-acre property came available through a Proposition 13 grant in 2000. The grant restricted the uses to recreational and/or groundwater recharge/spreading purposes only. The original excavations of this area to reach its current depth started in 2002 – the same time the Park at River Walk began its construction. Over 140,000 cubic yards of dirt was transported across the river to shape the amphitheatre seating area and the rest of the park. In 2005 and 2006, this area which is now Aera Park was heavily used for water recharge. Now that the park is constructed, the recharge efforts will be transferred to the City’s water banking facility, located three miles west of Stockdale. The lakebed at Aera Park will remain as the groundwater spreading facility on the property. Early in 2006, Bakersfield Southwest Baseball League knew they had to find a new home for their games due to losing their lease at Cal State University. On October 25, 2006, Bakersfield City Council passed two agreements with Bakersfield Southwest Baseball League: one was for assistance with the construction of the new baseball park, and the other was a fifteen year lease whereby they would have maintenance responsibility once the park opened. After construction documents and plans were in place, actual construction began in 2008. City engineers oversaw the entire project to ensure city standards were met throughout the construction phases. Bakersfield Southwest Baseball also had several people onsite each day to assist crews in any needed work. Bakersfield Southwest Baseball league’s President, Duane Keathley credits his Board of Directors for endless hours obtaining naming rights and sponsorships for the park and individual fields within the park. On May 23, 2007, Bakersfield City Council approved Aera Park as the name of the baseball fields due to their $250,000 contribution through the Aera Energy Fund. |
On Saturday, April 18, 2008 the ribbon cutting for the new baseball park was held. Mayor Harvey L. Hall and other City staff attended the opening day ceremony. Aera Park was a product of many volunteer hours from dedicated youth baseball fans, donations and sponsors from the private sector and the City of Bakersfield staff, contractors and leased land.
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