The following is a press release issued by Caltrans:
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday morning at Anderson Valley Junior-Senior High in Boonville to mark the start of construction for the Anderson Valley Track to Health and Fitness project.
This $4.7 million Clean California project was made possible through Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.2 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and help communities beautify their public spaces.
This project will feature a new grass field that can be used for both soccer and football and an all-weather track accessible to students and the community, providing varied fitness opportunities for Boonville residents. The project addresses an important need, as there are no gyms or workout facilities within a 20-mile radius.
The project centerpiece is a state-of-the-art, six-lane running track with a rubberized, artificial surface for track and field athletics and community-wide exercise. The track will be accessible before and after school hours, on weekends and during the summer months.
“This project represents a significant investment in our school and community, creating a space that promotes health, recreation, and school pride,” said Anderson Valley Unified School District Superintendent Kristin Larson Balliet. “We are deeply grateful to Caltrans for recognizing the value of accessible outdoor facilities and for helping us bring this long-awaited project to fruition.”
These improvements will provide a safe and equitable venue for students from low- income families to participate in sporting events and independent soccer leagues in a clean, welcoming environment designed to help residents achieve their individual wellness and recreation goals.
“Through our partnership with the Anderson Valley Unified School District, this project highlights our commitment to improving quality of life in communities throughout the region,” said Caltrans District 1 Director Matthew Brady. “This athletic facility provides a convenient home base for Boonville residents and students to recreate and engage in outdoor activities.”
Representatives from the Anderson Valley Unified School District, Caltrans and Rege Construction joined students and staff for the groundbreaking event. Construction is expected for completion by spring 2026.
Clean California has funded 319 projects statewide to revitalize and beautify underserved communities. Projects are improving public spaces, tribal lands, parks, neighborhoods, transit centers, walking paths, streets, roadsides, recreation fields, community gathering spots, and places of cultural importance or historical interest in underserved communities. Since July 2021, Caltrans’ Clean California initiative and its local partners have picked up more than 2.9 million cubic yards of litter – enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 with trash from the Mexican border to Oregon. Caltrans also hosted more than 650 free dump days in communities throughout the state, resulting in the collection of 15,500-plus mattresses and 57,000 tires. The initiative has enlisted more than 72,000 community clean-up volunteers and created thousands of jobs, including positions for individuals who were formerly incarcerated, on probation, or experiencing housing insecurity.
This is how public initiatives should work—environmental cleanup + social impact + job creation. A model for other states! ?? #SustainableChange