SALINAS, Calif- (KION-TV) - UPDATE ON JULY 25, 2023 AT 11:53 AM- The City of Salinas and Big Sur Land Trust is looking for a name for a planned park at Carr Lake.

In 2017, the Big Sur Land Trust bought 73 acres of Carr Lake to transform the park into a community park. The City of Salinas and Big Sur Land Trust is targeting the start of construction for the park to start in late November.

The neighborhood park would be six acres and there will be 67 acres of open space habitat and trails.

The park will have an amphitheater, a skate park, tennis and basketball courts, a picnic area and a dog park.

The last day to submit names for the new park will be on Aug. 31. For more information click here.

Big Sur Land Trust hopes to start construction of Carr Lake project by end of 2023

UPDATE ON JULY 16, 2023 AT 5:07 PM: A project six years in the making could potentially start construction by the end of the calendar year.

The Big Sur Land Trust bought 73 acres of the Carr Lake property back in 2017 to transform the agricultural land into a community park.

Carr Lake sits on top of three creeks, the Gabilan, Natividad and Alisal Creek. The area has been prone to flooding during the winter which was evident earlier this year.

Andrea Ortiz who is a Salinas native hopes that this new development can prevent flooding from happening during extreme weather events.

"This area is prone to flooding which I am sure can be a problem," Ortiz said. "Hopefully with the developers they can think of any ideas that can avoid any tragic events from happening."

Rachel Saunders who is the conservation director for the Big Sur Land Trust hopes that they can transform the area.

"A lot of people know Carr Lake as an area that floods a lot in the winter time," Saunders said. "We have designed our project to account for that."

The Land Trust plans to use the first six acres to create the community park. Construction will be divided up into two levels.

The upper level will have a picnic area and a park while the lower lands will will grow indigenous plants and host birds of the region.

Azucena Barrios who is part of the Center for Community Advocacy says that they are looking to implement the history of Carr Lake into the project.

"One of the biggest things that we keep hearing is the history and not letting that part go," Barrios said. "That is something we are trying to incorporate in that process of the project."

Big Sur Land Trust plans to host more community meetings as they want community input to submit name suggestions for the new recreational park. The last day to submit name suggestions is August 31. You can submit those names and learn more about the project right here.

Big Sur Land Trust acquires Carr Lake property

Big Sur Land Trust has purchased 73 acres of land within the Carr Lake Basin in central Salinas. The group plans on transforming the seasonally dry lake bed into a "central park."

The Land Trust announced the deal at a press conference Wednesday, saying it is the first time the organization has acquired land in an urban landscape.

According to Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, Big Sur Land Trust's president and CEO, the purchase of land will address a lack of parks and open space in the heart of Salinas. The project will also address ecological restoration, water quality improvement and flood control.

"We are especially excited to begin working with residents, community groups and city leaders to co-create a multi-benefit central park that reflects the heart and soul of Salinas," Tuitele-Lewis said.

The Land Trust says it does not intend to own the property long-term and expects to eventually make it publicly-owned land.

Carr Lake was once the largest of seven lakes that captured water from Fremont Peak. Water flowed from the lake to Monterey Bay. In the early 1900s, the lake was drained to create farmland.

Big Sur Land Trust purchased the 73-acre parcel from the Ikeda Farms Partnership for $3.95 million. Funding was provided by California State Coastal Conservancy, the California Natural Resources Agency River Parkways Program, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, and Barnet Segal Charitable Trust.