Over the past month, Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved $261,884 to support four new recreation projects, including a new pocket park in Nevada City, a skate spot in Grass Valley, an equestrian trail off Highway 20 and a nature pavilion on Bear Yuba Land Trust’s Wildflower Ridge Preserve. Three projects were approved at the Board’s Aug. 25 meeting, with the Grass Valley skate spot approved today, Sept. 15.
The new round of funding comes from AB 1600 – the Mitigation Fee Act – a collection of development impact fees from new construction to support park and recreation capital projects benefiting residents throughout Nevada County. The funds have been growing since the County’s last significant allocation in 2015.
Supporting recreation projects is part of a larger Board Objective for a Recreation Economy “to promote sustainable recreation in partnership with community providers and other jurisdictions.”
Four qualified applicants were received for this latest round of funding and include the following:
Pavilion at Wildflower Ridge: Bear Yuba Land Trust
Bear Yuba Land Trust will receive $40,000 to construct a hexagonal or octagonal timber-framed pavilion on the 128-acre Wildflower Ridge Preserve, located at 13167 Ridge Road, near Grass Valley.
The pavilion will provide a covered, ADA-accessible space where school groups, locals and visitors can connect with nature and gather for community activities.
The pavilion will provide a flexible setting for guided hikes, school field trips, environmental education, workshops, volunteer activities and community events.
BYLT will partner with the Timber Framers Guild of North America through a community-build model that brings together skilled craftspeople, local builders and volunteers.
“Investing in the Wildflower Ridge pavilion is an investment in our community’s connection to the outdoors. With the County’s support, we can build the infrastructure that will allow Wildflower Ridge to reach its full potential as a recreational and educational destination – serving local families and schools while creating opportunities for community events, outdoor learning and connection for generations to come,” said Executive Director Erin Tarr.
Centreville Skate Spot: City of Grass Valley
The City of Grass Valley was awarded $75,898 to create a new proposed 3,500-square-foot public “skate spot” known as the Centreville Bike Park – Skatepark Addition Project. The public skatepark facility within the new Centreville Bike Park will create “a space that encourages entry-level skill development, builds confidence and fosters a positive introduction to skateboarding,” according to a Board report.
The future skate spot will be located on the corner of Idaho-Maryland and Centreville Road.
“The project is intended to benefit community members of all ages who have an interest in skateboarding,” said Zac Quentmeyer, Deputy Public Works Director for Grass Valley.
In May 2025, the City Council formed a Skatepark Ad Hoc Committee to identify opportunities to expand skate facilities for the Grass Valley skate community. Through quarterly meetings and ongoing conversations with members of the local skate community, the addition of smaller skate spots or “pocket” skate parks has been identified as a highly desired improvement, according to Quentmeyer.
The proposed skate spot would complement the Bike Park’s pump track and provide additional opportunities for wheeled recreation within the same park, near the Brunswick Basin.
Earlier this month, the City held a community meeting to gather feedback that will help inform the future design phase. Construction of the skate spot may occur in spring 2027.
The City has over 108 acres of parkland and seven developed parks, including the 17,000-square-foot Condon Park Skatepark, completed this spring.
North Pine Pocket Park: City of Nevada City
The City of Nevada City will be awarded $90,986 for the North Pine Pocket Park Project. The project proposes to develop a new intergenerational, ADA-accessible, community-oriented pocket park on the City-owned .11-acre land adjacent to the Doris Foley Library for Historical Research at 211 North Pine Street.
Since the 1980s, city planners recognized the future importance of trails, parks and open space and worked that into the city’s General Plan. The City of Nevada City owns 300 acres of open space and 10 miles of trail. Trails include Hirschman Trail, Deer Creek Tribute Trail and Sugarloaf Trail.
The city owns and manages Pioneer Park and volunteers help manage the small Calanan Park and Robinson Plaza.
Hoof Trail: Gold Country Trails Council
The new round of funding will award Gold Country Trails Council (GCTC) $55,000 to build the 1.7-mile Hoof Trail in the Lone Grave and Harmony Ridge area for hikers and equestrians with an emphasis on reducing conflict and improving sustainable access.
With County funding, GCTC will have the resources needed to hire professional trail builders to construct the last two sections of the trail reviewed by Tahoe National Forest and install educational signage. GCTC has obtained a bid from Saxon Thomas of the HUSWEJ Stewardship Crew for construction of the remainder of the HOOF Trail.
“Comprised of many local Nisenan Tribe Members, their focus is on building a sustainable trail while honoring and respecting the land and surrounding ecological environment on which it is being built,” said Julie McManus, President of GCTC.
The new trail will allow equestrians and hikers a safer alternative to the Hoot Trail, popular among mountain bicyclists and a source of contention among different user groups in recent years. The new equestrian-friendly Hoof Trail will connect to the Pioneer Trail along Highway 20 and the future Pines to Mines Trail connecting Nevada City to Truckee.
“It’s going to be a beautiful trail, but the most important thing is that it will resolve the safety issue of horses and bikes from trying to negotiate a downhill flow trail. Everybody is on board to do this right from the outset,” said McManus, President of GCTC. The Hoof Trail is expected to be rideable by next spring.
About AB 1600 – The Recreation Mitigation Fee
The Recreation Mitigation Fee funds are intended for capital improvements, such as athletic fields, community buildings, community garden improvements, outdoor courts/gymnasium improvements, play areas, children’s playgrounds, land acquisition, performance stages, non-motorized trails, land, picnic areas and special use.
Eligible entities include County, Cities, Non-Profit Organizations, and other Municipal Public Entities with recreation facilities open for general public use, within the three recreation benefit zones.
Laura Petersen is a freelance writer who lives in Grass Valley. This article was written on behalf of Nevada County. Contact Laura at laurapetersenmedia@gmail.com.