Manteca has completed upgrades at Northgate Community Park that includes a picnic shelter, restrooms and concession stand.

It represents the last part of a phased $1.1 million project to renovate the community park that is heavily used by youth sports teams. Most of the work was paid for from fees collected on growth.

Deputy City Manager Toni Lundgren indicated a “grand opening” ceremony will be conducted in the spring.

The finishing of the project also delivered a promise the city made to provide residents with three top-notch group picnic shelters. In the past 10 years the city added a picnic shelter and Woodward Community Park and replaced aging structures at both Lincoln and Northgate community parks.

The Lincoln Park picnic shelter was paid for with federal Community Block Grant funds targeted for lower income areas. The Woodward structure was financed with park growth fees.

The previous Northgate picnic shelter was particularly problematic.

It was a trellis-type shelter with wisteria covering it that offered minimal protection from the rain. A number of the cross beams had become damaged in the trellis. The “floor” was mostly dirt.

As such it created ongoing maintenance issues as well as Americans with Disabilities Act shortcomings.

There also was a visibility issue in terms of police being able to see into the shelter area during patrols.

The new design with an angled metal roof with support pillar bases wrapped in stone plus the concrete floor has created an open and airy feel. Security lighting was also added.

The $800,000 plus project included demolishing the existing group picnic structure along with the concession stands and restrooms.

An entrance arch is now above the gates to the Northgate Softball Complex that includes three lighted softball fields. The arch ties into restroom on the northwest side of the entrance and a new concession building on the southeast side. The restrooms are accessible only from inside the softball complex as a way to increase security.

The entrance way as well as restroom and concession buildings also employ stone work that matches the picnic shelter. The blue metal roofs are the same style as the picnic shelter to provide a clean modern look.

The city in 2016 spent $300,000 removing what was severely deteriorated parking lot asphalt at Northgate Park, re-grading to assure proper storm drainage, making American with Disabilities Act compliance improvements, installing new asphalt and doing parking stall striping.

The design reflected concerns expressed by the school district that makes use of the softball complex. The district had expressed safety concerns about controlling access. Those concerns were heightened several years ago during a drive-by shooting in the parking lot while the East Union High softball team was practicing.

The city and school district partner in the use of sports facilities. Softball teams often use Northgate Park.

The opening of the city’s Big League Dreams sports complex more than 12 years ago allowed the city to shift the use of the softball complex to youth sports after years being primarily used by adult softball leagues and tournaments.

The complex is also used by the Manteca Youth Softball Association. When the complex isn’t being used for soccer the outfields are used for soccer.

The city now has more than 80 parks and sports fields. That includes neighborhood parks, the golf course, the Tidewater Bikeway, Library Park, Spreckels BMX Park, and the Big League Dreams sports complex.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com