Established in 1951 by citizens who wanted parks and recreational activities for children and youth, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District was formed as a California Special District – a government agency that is entirely separate from the City of Pleasant Hill.

The District is governed by an elected board of directors who serve staggered four-year terms. The single purpose of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is to serve the recreational needs and enrich the lives of residents.

During the year, the District offers over 2,300 enrichment classes, programs, activities, and sponsors numerous clubs and organizations. Each year, over 100,000 persons participate in District programs, visit a park or facility, or volunteer.

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District includes over 269 acres of park land including:

Past, Present …

In 2003, a community-based committee came together to develop PHR&PD’s ten-year master plan, which included a new Senior Center as one of the top goals. But in 2004, local money was taken by the state to balance the California state budget.

PHR&PD had no choice but to put its Master Plan on hold. All new projects were put off and non-critical maintenance was deferred.
This year, the state promised not to tap into local funds, and PHR&PD sponsored a new community survey to determine the public’s top priorities for recreation, parks, and community facilities.

According to the independent survey of District residents, the people’s top projects to enhance their recreational opportunities, closer to home, include:

• A New Teen Center
The current Teen Center at Pleasant Hill Park is a reclaimed storage room. The space is simply too small for the number of the District’s Teen programs and active Teen Council. Local Architect Rob McKie has been hired to draft plans for a new Teen Center to be located at Pleasant Hill Park.

• A New Senior Center
The Senior Program has completely outgrown the existing Senior complex. Many of the Senior programs take place at the Winslow Center and the Community Center due to lack of space at the Senior Center. The District has been extremely fortunate for the generous donation by Tom & Ruby McDonald of the Chateau Retirement Living Centers, who paid for architectural drawings for a new Senior Center. The new plans are fantastic and can be seen at the Senior Center.

• Infrastructure Repairs
at the Community Center
Built in 1973, the Community Center is a very popular venue for special events, rentals, and a variety of classes and programs. Over 1,000 participants go through the building every week. Dry rot is undermining the integrity of the structure. Although repairs are now in progress, the expense is not in the budget.

• Pleasant Oaks Park
One of the most-utilized parks in the District by the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association and the Pleasant Hill/Martinez Soccer Association. This site was developed in the 1960’s and drastically needs infrastructure repairs to the irrigation system and new turf for the playing fields. Also, needed are accessible walkways around the perimeter of the park, additional parking, and landscape enhancements.

• School House Theater
Recently the Board of Directors had to close the School House for safety reasons. Since the 1980’s, the School House has housed the Onstage Theatre, the Guild of Quilters, Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library, Friends Abroad, and the PH Historical Society. The School House was built in the 1920’s and needs major work in order for the public to regain access.

• Restrooms –
Upgrade/Renovation
The restrooms at Pleasant Hill Park, Rodgers-Smith Park, and Brookwood Park are out of date and not up to District park standards. They have been vandalized, and due to the type of building, appear to be dirty.

and the Future?