Photo Courtesy of Brianna Gould
A Message from your City Manager
Matt Downing
DearReaders,
WelcometothelatestissueoftheArroyoGrandeGazette!Thisissueisespeciallyexcitingaswerecognize all the fun had during “Parks Makes Life Better” Month in July This issue spotlights the City’s Recreation ServicesDepartment,whowasresponsibleforallthefun Theirdedicationtoenhancingourcommunity’s qualityoflifethroughdiverserecreationalopportunitiesistrulyadmirable.Tohelpyoumakethemostof theremainingsummerdays,besuretocheckouttheSummerActivityGuide-theSummerConcertSeries continuesthroughSeptember22nd!
Inothernews,wearepleasedtoannouncethecompletionofthehistoricSwingingBridgeRehabilitation Project Thisimportantprojectnotonlypreservesapieceofourcity'sheritagebutalsoenhancesitssafety andaccessibility.Staytunedforapublicribbon-cuttingceremonyinSeptember.
Additionally, we are proud to report the successful completion of the 2022 Slurry Seal Project, which has improvedroadconditionsacrossArroyoGrande,ensuringsmootherandsafertravelforeveryone Looking ahead,wearealsopreparingtobeginworkontheTrafficWayBridgeReplacementProject.Thisupcoming projectwillplayacrucialroleinfurtherenhancingourcity'sinfrastructureandensuringthesafetyofour residents.
Aswelookforwardtothefall,theHarvestFestivalCommitteeisbusypreparingforthe85thAnnualHarvest Festival,settotakeplaceonSeptember27-28 Thisfamily-friendlyeventisacherishedtraditionthatbrings togetherthebestofArroyoGrandeanditsneighboringcommunities
Thank you for your support and engagement. I am excited to continue to work together to make Arroyo Grandeavibrantcommunityforall
Sincerely, CityManager
Matthew Downing
RECREATION SERVICES
Building Community & Enriching Lives in Arroyo Grande
Serv provider of programs and events; its a cornerstoneofourcommunity.Guidedbythe mission to provide healthy, sustainable, and safe environments, the department offers qualityrecreation,leisure,andculturalactivities for people of all ages These programs are designed to foster human development, promote affordable health and wellness opportunities, and support economic developmentbystrengtheningourcommunity identityandsenseofplace
RecreationServicesiscommittedtomaking Arroyo Grande a place where residents feel connectedandengaged.Byofferingadiverse rangeofactivities,theDepartmentplaysavital roleincreatingacommunityspiritforeveryone whocallsthiscityhome.Whetherit’sthrough youth sports, senior programs, or cultural events, Recreation Services helps build a vibrant,inclusivecommunitywherepeoplecan play,learn,andgrowtogether.
Oneofthebestwaysforresidentstoget involvedisbyparticipatinginthewidevariety of activities offered by the department. The ActivityGuide,includedinthisnewsletter,is your go-to resource for discovering all the exciting opportunities available From fitness classes to special events, there’s truly somethingforeveryone
CelebratingtheTeam:TheHeartof RecreationServices
At the heart of the Recreation Services Departmentisadedicatedteamofindividuals who work tirelessly to bring programs and activities to life Our full-time team includes Director Sheridan Bohlken, Recreation SupervisorCarrieVanBeveren,andRecreation Coordinator Brianna Gould, who, along with five remarkable part-time employees, strive every day to make a positive impact on the livesofArroyoGranderesidents.
Carrie Van Beveren, who has been with the City for 22 years, is known for her contagious laughter and joyful spirit. Her love for animals and children shines through in her work, makingherabelovedfigureintheDepartment and the community Carrie’s dedication to her roleisevidentineverythingshedoes,andher ability to connect with people makes her an invaluableassettotheCityteam.
All Smiles from the Recreation Services Team! (L-R Erin Pope, Carrie Van Beveren, Brianna Gould, Kelly Reynolds, and Sheridan Bohlken) Photo by: Namu
Brianna Gould’s organizational skills and creative talents have made her an essential part of the team. Her positive spirit and commitment to serving the community are evident in her daily contributions, from coordinatingfacilityresourcesforthepublicto designing marketing materials that engage and inform residents, and improving internal systems WearefortunatetohaveBriannaon ourteam
Ourpart-timeteamisjustascrucialtoour success. Erin Pope, has over 20 years of dedicatedservicetotheCityofArroyoGrande Herwarmdemeanorandcan-doattitudemake herthego-topersonforanyneed,whetherit's assistingwitheventsorlendingahelpinghand. KellyReynolds,bringsawealthofexperience and strategic insight to the department Her backgroundinmarketingandcommitmentto community service drives the success of our programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needsofArroyoGranderesidents JimAutry,a long-termpart-timeemployee,isknownforhis ability to chat with anyone and has a special giftforconnectingwithpeople.JuliOulrey,our newest team member, is dedicated to the safety and functionality of our facilities Her attentiontodetailandproactiveapproachhave alreadymadeasignificantimpact.Raul“Rudy” Zepedahasbeenmanagingthelightsystem and overseeing the operations at Soto Sports Complexfordecades,ensuringthateverything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Rudy’s commitment to excellence and protection of theCity’sresourcesalsomakehimanessential partoftheteam
JulyHighlights:ParksMakeLifeBetter Month
Julywasaparticularlyspecialmonthfor Recreation Services as we celebrated Parks Make Life Better Month This initiative highlightedalloftheCity’sbeautifulparksand encouragedresidentstogetoutsideandenjoy them Oneoftheshiningstarsinourpark systemisElmStreetPark,withitsinclusive playground that caters to all ages and all abilities.Thismulti-generationalplaygroundis accessible to all, which has earned it four National accreditations making it the only parkinthecountrytoachievethisremarkable distinction!
Andfinally,thevisionaryandguidingforce behind the team is Sheridan Bohlken. Her calm demeanor and dedication are instrumentalintheDepartment’ssuccess This steadfastteamcontinuestoenrichthelivesof Arroyo Grande residents and those of neighboring communities, by fostering a vibrant and connected community through theirunwaveringcommitmentandpassionfor service.
AMissioninAction
TheRecreationServicesteamiscommitted tomakingpeople’sday,andtheydosowitha blend of professionalism, enthusiasm, and a deep love for the community they serve Whether it’s through organizing an event, administeringsportsleagues,orsimplybeinga friendlyfaceatthefrontdesk,teammembers arededicatedtoenrichingthelivesofArroyo Granderesidents Theymeeteachchallenge withgraceandpoise,alwaysstrivingtocreate a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
As the Recreation Services Department continuestoadaptandgrow,theprimarygoal remains the same: to build a stronger, healthier,andmoreconnectedcommunityWe inviteallresidentstojoinusinthismissionby participating in our programs, volunteering, and taking full advantage of the incredible resourcesthatArroyoGrandehastooffer
Formoreinformationaboutouractivities andhowtogetinvolved,besuretocheckout theActivityGuideincludedinthisnewsletter Together,wecanmakeArroyoGrandeaneven betterplacetolive,work,andplay
The Fall Activity Guide is out! Plan your fall activities and don’t miss out on fun community events like the Halloween Carnival Chaos and Haunted Maze (flyer on page 6) and classes for all ages such as the Autumn Dried Wreath Workshop (September 22) and the Ukulele Club. Find out about these and more in the Fall Activity Guide!
Summer is coming to a close, but thankfully the fun doesn’t stop!
The Summer Concert Series continues through September 22 with live music at Heritage Square Park. Check out the full line up on page 41 of the Summer Activity Guide!
In Other News...
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Markyourcalendarsforthe85thAnnualArroyoGrandeHarvest Festival, taking place on September 27-28! This year ’ s theme is “Where Community Grows.” This beloved event celebrates the best of our community with a weekend full of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, a parade, and delicious local food. It’s a time-honored tradition that brings together residents and visitorsaliketoenjoythevibrantspiritofArroyoGrande.
The Harvest Festival Committee is still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this year ’ s festival a success. If you ’ re interestedincontributingyourtimeandenergytothischerished event, please reach out to the Festival Committee or visit the websitetosignup.
Traffic Way Bridge
The Traffic Way Bridge project is scheduled to begin in 2025 The project will update the bridge to meet current standards, and remove potential
scour and maintenance concerns with a single-span bridge that will span Arroyo Grande Creek and eliminate any intermediate supports
Slurry Seal Project Complete
The Slurry Seal Project was completed this Spring with a full eight miles of road sealed The slurry seal provides a protective sealant mixture to the existing road surface
This mixture helps to seal small cracks, improve skid resistance, and protect the pavement from future deterioration.
SWINGING BRIDGE UPDATE
The City is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Swinging Bridge Rehabilitation Project The extensive restoration work, which began in May 2024, focused on preserving the bridge's historic charm while ensuring it meets modern safety standards. The project was completed a month early and on budget!
The project was made possible through Federal Community Project Funding and Measure O 2006 Sales Tax Funds. The City extends its gratitude to the community for their patience and support throughout the rehabilitation process, ensuring that the Swinging Bridge will continue to be a treasured landmark in Arroyo Grande for years to come.
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