Caltrans’s first Clean California funded project transforms roadside area into community parklet

The Vance Avenue Parklet project creates a recreational area along the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Humboldt County, California,, with picnic tables, benches for wildlife viewing, native plant beds, designated parking spots, decorative trash receptacles, a bike rack, and an improved view from nearby State Route 255. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. – Caltrans unveiled the first completed Clean California funded project in the state on Tuesday in Manila, a historically underserved community on the Humboldt County coast.

The project is made possible through Gov. Gavin Newsom's Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.1 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and engage communities to transform public spaces.

“The Vance Avenue Parklet is not only the first Clean California beautification project the public can enjoy, it’s also an excellent example of what Governor Newsom’s visionary effort can accomplish,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “This picturesque parklet on the Pacific demonstrates — as will the other Clean California projects throughout the state– that relatively small community spaces can have great value.”

**Prior to the Clean California project, the area was a site of frequent illegal dumping. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.**

The $75,000 project created a recreational area along the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge with picnic tables, benches for wildlife viewing, native plant beds, designated parking spots, decorative trash receptacles, a bike rack and an improved view from nearby State Route 255.

The parklet will also discourage illegal dumping and add a sense of community pride to a previously desolate area.

“Clean California has created this exciting new parklet, a project that was requested by the community, for the community, and to be enjoyed by the community. I hear the sunrise is amazingly beautiful from this location,” said District 1 District Director Matthew Brady.

“Witnessing its speedy transformation from an illegal dumping ground to a place where people can enjoy the beauty of Humboldt Bay has been inspiring,” said Jennifer Savage, a Manila resident and Peninsula Community Collaborative member. “The restoration work and improvements made by Caltrans will benefit cyclists, birdwatchers, community members and everyone who enjoys a good sunrise or a reflective moment."

**Students from Redwood Coast Montessori painted the concrete picnic tables for the parklet. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.**

This project is among 126 Clean California beautification projects worth $312 million designed to transform communities and create connectivity along the state highway system.

Additionally, in March, Gov. Newsom announced 105 Clean California projects statewide funded by nearly $300 million in Clean California local grants to remove litter and transform public spaces in underserved communities.

Collectively, these projects are expected to generate 7,200 jobs.

Since launching Clean California in July last year, Caltrans has removed more than 756,000 cubic yards of litter from state highways — the equivalent of about 12,700 tons or enough to fill 231 Olympic-size swimming pools — and hired 728 new team members as part of Clean California, including 469 maintenance workers who collect litter and remove graffiti.

For more information, visit CleanCA.com.