Fresh off announcing the largest expansion of California’s state park system in decades, California State Parks has recommended $1.4 million in grant funding for renovations at Forebay Park in Pollock Pines, marking a significant investment in recreation infrastructure for El Dorado County residents.
The proposed funding is part of $42.6 million in statewide Land and Water Conservation Fund grants announced April 29. The grants, which must still advance through federal approval channels, are designed to improve public access to outdoor recreation and expand park opportunities in underserved and rural communities across California.
Under the recommendation, El Dorado County would receive funding for the “Forebay Park Improvement Project,” a long-planned renovation effort centered on the approximately 14-acre community park located near Forebay Reservoir in Pollock Pines.
“What you need to know: Fresh off announcing its biggest expansion in decades, California State Parks is advancing $42.6 million in new funding for local parks to further enhance Outdoors for All,” California State Parks said in its official release Wednesday.
Forebay Park serves as a recreational hub for the Pollock Pines area and currently includes a baseball field, horseshoe pits, picnic areas, walking access, and a multi-purpose lodge used for community events and gatherings. The site borders the El Dorado Irrigation District’s Forebay Reservoir, a longtime recreation and fishing destination in the Sierra foothills.
According to El Dorado County project documents, the county acquired Forebay Park from the El Dorado Irrigation District in 2014 and has been pursuing phased renovations in recent years. County officials submitted the grant application in August 2025 after receiving direction from the Board of Supervisors to aggressively pursue outside funding opportunities for the project.
Planning work for the renovation effort has already included schematic master plans, playground concepts, engineering studies, and environmental review documents prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act.
County records indicate the renovation project is expected to modernize aging infrastructure while expanding recreational opportunities for families, youth sports, and visitors in the Pollock Pines area. The project has also drawn community input through public meetings held since 2023.
The funding recommendation arrives at a time when mountain communities in El Dorado County continue pushing for improved recreational amenities and wildfire-resilient public spaces. Forebay Park’s location along Forebay Reservoir gives the site regional significance as both a recreation destination and gathering place for local events.
State officials said the 18 proposed projects statewide would protect or improve more than 2,800 acres intended for public outdoor recreation. The initiative aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Outdoors for All” program, which seeks to expand access to parks and outdoor spaces throughout California.
If finalized, the Pollock Pines award would represent one of the more significant state-funded park improvement projects in El Dorado County in recent years.
For more information on the project, residents can visit the El Dorado County Parks and Trails Division webpage or review public planning documents available through the county website.
