Lodi gifted $75K from county for new skate park
May 22—Several youth recreational programs in the Lodi area received major funding boosts from San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding this week.
The board of supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved allocating $149,084 of Ding's District 4 funds toward basketball courts in Thornton, Morada Little League and a new skatepark in Lodi.
"We've eliminated a lot of things for kids to do," Ding said. "And one of the things I think is important... is anything that gets them off their phone and outside, and learning to socialize so they can grow, is a great educational experience."
With Tuesday's approval, $30,000 of Ding's allocation will be used to reconstruct basketball courts near the Thornton Community Center, and $27,784 will go toward Morada Little League facility improvements, as well as supplies.
"There's not a park, not a basketball court, not a Little League (in Thornton)," Ding said. "There's nothing for these kids to do. These kids get bussed to Liberty Ranch High School in Galt, and they get home, and there's literally nothing for them to do. And people wonder why they weren't perfect saints like we were in high school."
Morada Little League attracts hundreds of youngsters from Stockton, Lodi and the surrounding areas, Ding said, and the organization relies solely on registration dues, community sponsorship and fundraising to pay for improvements and supplies.
The league uses a portion of Davis Elementary School and Shippee Home Ranch Park for all fields and facilities.
Another $75,000 from Ding's funding will be given to the Lodi Community Foundation for planned improvements at Lawrence Park, including a new skate park.
The playground structure at Lawrence Park, located at Lockeford Street and Calaveras Way, burned down in 2022, and the restroom was demolished because it was not functional, and it also became an attractive nuisance for the homeless, Ding said.
In addition, the Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission and the skate park steering committee selected Lawrence Park as the site for a new skate park.
Planned improvements at the park include a concrete skate park, a pump track, a new restroom facility, sports lighting, a playground structure and a parking lot.
Christina Jaromay, Lodi's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, said the $75,000 will be a major contribution to the city.
"We're very grateful to (Ding) for recognizing the needs of youth and the fact they need to be in outdoor spaces, and they need to be in recreation," she said. "(Ding) came to parks and recreation meetings, heard what the community is requesting, heard the skatepark community, and (he is ) delivering."
Ding also allocated $11,300 to the Morada Area Association for two Flock cameras to capture evidence of suspicious activity at or near Hammer Lane and the East Highway 99 Frontage Road, as well as Eight Mile Road and East Highway 99 Frontage Road.
He also gave the Luis G. Alvarez Jr. Rewards for Justice Foundation $5,000 for its 7th Annual Benefit Dinner.
"Supervisor Ding has always demonstrated that he's ready, willing and able to do something different, better or more," Supervisor Tom Patti said. "And that's a mantra we really want in this county."
