Parks and Recreation

Mission Statement

Develop and maintain cost-effective community recreational facilities for the

enjoyment of all City residents.

Department Function

The Parks division maintains nine parks totaling 25 acres as well as two lineal

miles of roadway landscaping totaling approximately 2.5 acres. Responsibilities

include daily grounds cleanup, grounds and facility improvement, repair of

playgrounds and amenities, graffiti removal, mowing, pruning, fertilizing, weeding

and spraying.

Parks and Recreation

There are approximately 65 acres dedicated for open space/recreational uses within the City of Soledad , which is divided between nine public parks, and a portion of land located next to the Salinas River . Each of these areas is discussed further below:

• Vosti Park . This park comprises 6.4 acres and is located at the corner of Park and Monterey Streets. It contains playing fields, a volleyball court, and horseshoe pits. Park also has restroom facilities.
• Chester Aaroe Park ( Little League Field). This field comprises approximately 2.8 acres and is located at the intersection of East and North Streets. It contains a baseball diamond, an announcer's booth, snack bar, tennis courts, play equipment, barbecue pits, and bathrooms.
• Ramirez Park . This park comprises approximately 1.25 acres and is located at the end of the Munras Street cul-de-sac in the eastern portion of the city. It contains a children's playing apparatus and lawn.
• Bill Ramus Park . This park comprises approximately 0.4 acres and is located at the corner of Monterey and Soledad Streets. This facility was a community project of the Soledad Lions' Club and features a "walking track" for senior citizens, as well as a small picnic area with BBQ pit.
• Front Street Park . Leased from the Southern Pacific Railroad, this park comprises approximately 0.1 acres and is located on Front Street in Soledad . This facility is considered a commons area rather than a park, but serves as open recreational space.
• Veterans Park. This Park comprises approximately 4.0 acres and is situated at the corner of Gabilian Drive and Vista de Soledad. It is the newest park with walking track and benches.
• Lum Park. This approximately 2.5 acre park is located at 520 Terraza Street. It can be used for youth  soccer, playground, grills, and basketball court.
• Peverini Park. Located next to Lum Park on Terraza Street.
• Santana Park. This park is 4.2 acres and is sited on the corner of Miranda St. and Prado Drive. Park facilities include youth soccer, football, children's playground, basketball court, volleyball court and restrooms.
• Jesse Gallardo Park. Located across from Chester Aaroe park is this 4.0 acre park with baseball field, picnic tables, grills and tennis court.
• Rotary Park. This park comprises 4.0 acres and is located at 570 Walker Dr. adjacent to the YMCA. It has picnic tables, benches, grills, and a drinking fountain.
• Swimming Pool. The Mission Soledad Recreation District operates an indoor swimming pool facility, located on Walker Drive . This facility comprises approximately four acres.
• Open Space. Approximately 35 acres of land adjacent to the Salinas River has been preserved as open space. This area, located in the southern portion of Soledad within the 100-year floodplain of the river, is available for passive types of recreational uses, such as walking or picnicking.
• Cesar Chavez Park. Located on Front Street.
• San Antonio Park. Located between San Antonio and La Colina Street.
• Santa Barbara Park. Located on Santa Barbara Street.

In, addition to those facilities discussed above, which are designed to primarily serve the citizens of Soledad , a regional recreational area is located nearby. The west entrance of Pinnacles National Monument is accessed from US 101 via State Highway 146 ( Metz Road ), which passes directly through Soledad . This park primarily serves visitors/tourists and is a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers.