GREENFIELD — The City of Greenfield is seeking feedback from community members regarding the type of recreational activities they would like to see in the city.
An estimated 30 residents showed up for an outdoor public input meeting on Aug. 26 at the Greenfield Library.
The Outdoor Equity Grants Program could support community programs in amounts ranging from $20,000 to $700,000, which would support such activities as trips, internships or cleanups, but not supplies or infrastructure. The process of earning such grant money is similar to the proof of public engagement and need for the Prop 68 park grants.
Greenfield Community Science Workshop Coordinator Jose Sanchez said feedback varied, but adults wanted more family activities in addition to the existing programs for children, while youth were more interested in trips to places like Big Sur and Point Lobos.
“We feel that we are in a good place in a sense that the state data says we qualify well, and we’re also an organization that is already doing many of these things the grant seeks to support,” Sanchez said. “But funds are not guaranteed.”
Greenfield is in an area of need, and has one of the required aspects in having a community hub with the Science Workshop, which provides programming for residents. Through it, the city has hosted trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the beach as well as taken youth whale watching.
Another in-person meeting is planned for Saturday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m., which will take place under the canopies at the workshop, 45 El Camino Real. In addition, staff members are putting together a survey that can be filled out online.
“If somebody can’t attend the meeting, they can give us some feedback as to what ideas they have,” Sanchez said. “This grant is wide open and supports community projects locally here in Greenfield.”
The state wants to see communities survey 20 to 30 residents across generations and demographics, but Sanchez said Greenfield’s goal is much higher.
“We really hope to survey the whole community and see what people are interested in, and based on that, then we can start putting together some activities,” he said.
