City of Menifee logoResidents of the Sun City community in Menifee will soon have a new place to play. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) recently awarded the City of Menifee’s Sun  City Park project with a $524,700 grant as part of the Urban Greening Grant Program, which provided funding to 22 other projects across the state. Projects were selected based on their ability to create more sustainable communities by using natural and green infrastructure approaches. 

Menifee’s Sun City Park will be a new 1.87-acre park located adjacent to Faith Lutheran Church on  Portsmouth Drive. Key features include a quarter-mile walking path, solar walkway lighting, water efficient landscaping, a rose garden, and covered age-appropriate workout stations. The park will also include benches, drinking fountains, and trash cans with dog bag dispensers.  

“This park will be a great addition to the Sun City community and provides a great outdoor space for our residents to enjoy,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin. “City staff did an amazing job to secure this competitive funding grant and bring state dollars here for the benefit of Menifee.” 

Senior staff from the Community Services Department, along with members of the Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission and the Senior Advisory Committee met with state officials in November to provide background on the project and to tour the proposed site. After finalizing their review in April,  the CNRA announced Menifee as one of the grant recipients.  

CNRA was allocated $50 million from the General Fund by Senate Bill 170 to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide multiple benefits to Californians, including expanding access to parks and green spaces in communities across the state. 

Benefits of Sun City Park that align with CNRA’s requirements include the expansion of tree canopies, park accessibility within walking distance of residents, and the addition of free recreational amenities, among others.  

Sun City Park is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete from land acquisition to full construction. For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at (951)  723-3880 or by email at communityservices@cityofmenifee.us.