Amador County – The ACRA board of directors last week approved a resolution recognizing the park restoration project and community contributions from Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians.

Jackson Rancheria teamed with ACRA on the multi-year upgrade of Amador County ballparks and other parks in the county, and in February started work on the first project.

Scores of volunteers brought the baseball fields back to playable condition at Mollie Joyce Park in Pioneer. The tribe maintenance crew and volunteers gave up more than one Saturday morning to help get the buildings, fields and grounds ready.

The entire outfield on the upper hill field was dug out and lined with gopher wire. Last week the Rancheria work crew and volunteers placed grass sod in the outfield of that field. New cement has been poured for sidewalks around the snack shack, and a pile of gravel sat in the dirt parking lot, where the Tribe plans to pave the parking lot.

An 18-hole disc golf course has been installed by volunteers, and the Jackson Rancheria purchased the baskets for the course, which was designed by volunteers. Volunteers also cut down dead and sick trees, cleared and burned brush around the course, and built tee pads and benches around the course.

A crew also worked on fencing the backstop on Tuesday, as a Little League Baseball team practiced in the lower field. The fields will be used for games later in the season. ACRA Executive Director Tracy Towner also worked with a group of Little League parents last week, and the parents will be operating the snack shack at games in Mollie Joyce Park.

The tribe partnered with ACRA in financing improvements to Mollie Joyce Park, and made a commitment for ongoing maintenance including equipment and personnel to this and other parks. The Tribe plans to renovate and upgrade several park properties around the county.

Jackson Rancheria plans to work in all parks in the county in the 10-year project, which may include some work at school district fields and facilities. Towner in February said the Tribe is reaching out and trying to be generous supporters of the community. The Tribe also wishes for the public to help in the projects with donations and volunteer labor.

ACRA will provide coordination of the improvement work days, repairs, personnel, permits and volunteers. The Tribe will provide volunteers with shirts and food, and cover the costs of the upgrades.

ACRA maintains several parks around the county, including Lyons Park, Pioneer Park, and Fiddletown Park and is responsible for developing local park and recreation facilities. To volunteer or donate for the parks restoration projects, call ACRA at 223-6349.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.