On Saturday, May 28, Rexland Acres Park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the community sidewalk project which added almost five miles of new sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety in the community.
This 11-million-dollar project will help improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists and is the result of community organizations and Kern County Public Works.
“It’s been six years since Supervisor [Leticia] Perez asked Public Works to come to Rexland and figure out what we can do about the terrible flooding problem,” said Yolanda Alcantar, Kern Public Works Manager. “10 years before we even got here the community was all hands on deck trying to get the project done, so I want to thank the community for your patience. I know you waited a long time for this day.”
Residents said the main reason people didn’t walk to the park, bus, or nearby markets was because of the lack of resources available to ensure pedestrian safety.
The community sidewalk project also helped improve flooding by providing storm drains. In addition, the project also included 530 driveways, 11 flashing stop signs, six solar street lights, and 73 new road signs.
“But this was no easy project,” said Alcantar. “It took more than 15,000 staff hours to complete this project, and Public Works employees worked on this project ranging from engineers, to planners, to aids, to accountants, and support staff. It took our entire Public Works team to bring you the safety improvements you see today.”
Community members and organizations worked hard to make this project happen.
“This park is the heart of this community. The school—the community—that makes all of this happen is the lifeblood of this community and it is because this operation is led with love and inclusion that you see the outcome that you have here today,” said Supervisor Leticia Perez
The community sidewalk project celebration also included activities for the community to celebrate the event with a color run for all ages, sports activities, and a vaccine clinic where 42 community members got vaccinated.