PITTSBURG — Efforts to upgrade the public boat launch and nearby Central Harbor Park have begun in a bid to bring in new amenities and facilities meant to address safety concerns previously raised by residents and visitors.
Additions include restrooms with cleaning and security features, improved accessible paths in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a new shade structure with modern seating for events. Fencing also will be added around the parking lot with other changes such as repaved parking lots, amenities on the jetty, lighting, and fire pits.
A public safety substation will be added that can be utilized by officers from the Pittsburg Police Department and other law enforcement agencies patrolling the Delta waterfront area.
Work at the park and boat launch is expected to be completed in 2026.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held Nov. 15 to highlight major changes that were made possible after the city secured two grants from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy to upgrade amenities.
Initial discussions of the project took place in 2021 when the city secured a grant of $172,155 from the Delta Conservancy via the 2018 California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 – commonly known as Prop 68.
With the initial grant money, the city reached out to stakeholders – such as residents, park goers, fishermen, boat owners, and others – through surveys and workshops to get input on what they wanted at the waterfront facing park and boat launch area.
In March last year, Pittsburg received $3.54 million from the Climate, Access, and Resource grant from the Delta Conservancy which helped kickstart the project.
Mayor Juan Antonio Banales said the additions and improvements will have a long-lasting impact on the community.
“Local residents and park goers have made it clear that they love this park and they love accessing the Delta from the Pittsburg shores. They emphasize that this park and the access points are gems to them and their families,” said Banales.
Banales hopes that revitalizing this area and other locations around the city will make it a travel destination for others and a place for residents to gather and relax by the waterfront. He said upgrading the park with modern amenities is in line with what the city has been doing throughout Pittsburg.
Karen Buhr, deputy executive officer of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, said her organization understands the importance of the Delta and preserving it.
“It’s a community asset that’s critical to the urban environment. We also know how incredibly challenging it is to get out onto the Delta, and we have made a commitment to making that easier for the community and everybody in California,” said Buhr.
She added that the organization is proud to support Pittsburg for what is expected to be a transformational project that will further enhance the city’s landscape.
Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese said his department is looking to increase public safety with the new substation.
“It’s not just for our officers, but we are going to invite and welcome our regional partners, such as the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and their marine patrol units, to come out and share this space with us,” said Albanese.
He said enhancements to lighting also will provide additional security for the community, adding that his department worked closely with the city’s planning and engineering teams on the upgrade.
