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Thematic Attic.
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CDBG Economic Development Program
Utilizing funding from the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), the City of Covina Economic Development program
is designed to create permanent jobs for low and moderate income people.
When approved by the Covina City Council, limited funds, known as Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, are available each fiscal year
for the Economic Development loan/grant program. A maximum of $100,000
is available to each participant, depending on available funds, and
one low- to moderate-income full-time equivalent employee is to be hired
for each $25,000 loaned/granted. The business must agree to maintain
the minimum guaranteed employment level for at least five years, must
report quarterly to the City for five years, and maintain records for
an additional five years. After a project is approved, and an agreement
is signed, the CDBG funds can be used to purchase fixtures and equipment,
to rehabilitate property, or to fund expansion. The spending of all
such funds must comply with applicable Federal rules.
In the last fiscal year, Thematic Attic, now at 235 E.
Badillo, was awarded Economic Development funds to assist their expansion
to their new location. Thematic Attic, a children’s educational
store, specializes in resources for teachers and parents. The move to
the new location allowed Thematic Attic to expand to twelve times the
floor space of their previous location, and provides jobs for four new
full-time equivalent employees.
Composites Horizons, Inc., a Covina business that fabricates aerospace,
industrial and medical products, has recently been awarded funding which
will assist in their expansion to a larger building, and will create
four full-time equivalent positions for low- to moderate-income persons.
COVINA PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT—
Creating Community Through People, Parks & Programs
Yes, the Covina Parks & Recreation Department still
coordinates the traditional recreation activities we all remember from
our youth—sports, swimming, etc. But in today’s busy world
of “do more with less” most city recreation departments are
serving their communities in much broader ways. All age groups and all
segments of the community have come to rely on assistance and services
from professionals in the parks and recreation field. Covina’s
busy department is a prime example.
Creating Community for Teens
Most of us, including educators and law enforcement professionals, agree
that keeping teens busy with positive activities is not only good for
the teens and their families, its one of the best ways to help young
people do well in school and stay out of gangs, away from drugs and
other negative behaviors. Most people, especially the teens, also agree
that there is not enough for them to do after regular school hours end.
Covina Parks & Recreation staff, working with Covina-Valley Unified
School District and other community organizations, have made great progress
in this area over the last few years.
Organized sports, cheerleading and drill team, and a jam
packed drop-in center at Las Palmas Middle School provides an atmosphere
with the right balance of supervision and freedom.
• Attendance at the Hollfelder Teen Center at Covina
Park has been steadily rising, with teens attracted by caring staff
members who know how to relate to teens, offeringinnovative programs
and trips. Teens are stepping up for leadership roles with the formation
of TAG, the Teen Advisory Group, to help plan the future.
• Thanks to the sponsorship of the Sunrise Covina
Rotary Club’s Operation Santa Clothes, 32 teens enjoyed a 3-day
camping trip to Camp Coulter Pines, operated by the San Gabriel Valley
YMCA.
• TEEN FEST 2000, a partnership effort of Parks &
Recreation and the Police Department Police Activities
League, attracted over 500 teens for college and job information, music,
a basketball tournament and more.
• The Volunteen Program continues to help 60 teens
prepare for the “real working world” while completing community
service required by schools.
Creating Better Parks—
More Improvements to Kahler Russell Park
The community has enjoyed major improvements to Covina’s largest
park, now known as Kahler Russell Park, since the first phase of improvements
were completed in 1997. The two roller hockey rinks, paved parking,
security lighting, rest rooms, sidewalks, 160 new trees, landscaping,
and playground equipment added during that phase have made the park
one of Covina’s showpieces. However, the Charter Oak Wash, running
through the north side of the park, created additional challenges to
fully utilizing this 17 acre green space. Parks & Recreation Department
staff are now in the process of meeting the challenge and making Kahler
Russell Park even better.
During winter storms, the Charter Oak Wash does what it
was designed to do and funnels water to the ocean. Over the years, the
water has eroded the banks of the wash, causing encroachment on the
homes to the south. To mitigate potential damage to the homes, a major
project for erosion control was needed. In addition to addressing this
concern, the Parks & Recreation Department’s long range Park
Master Plan outlined a nature trail as a desired addition to the park.
Staff applied for and received grants from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation.
As this goes to press, the erosion control system is being
installed. It consists of a felt lining, rocks, a chain link fence and
concrete combined to form what are called “gabions.” The gabions
protect the homes and further erosion by repelling the water back into
the stream of water coming through the wash and helps the water flow
more swiftly.
The Nature Trail will be a one-way distance of 4/10 of
a mile. Everyone is urged to enjoy this new addition to our beautiful
park, but everyone is also asked to help keep it beautiful and safe.
Report any vandalism or graffiti as soon as possible to the Parks &
Recreation Department at (626) 858-7271. Working together, we will
continue to create a wonderful community.
Creating Community Programs and Events
Orangeblossom Festival, Safety Fair, Rotary Fun Run, Thunderfest, Bluesapalooza,
Christmas Parade…and the list goes on and on. All of these wonderful
events make Covina a very special place. All of these events involve
the hard work of hundreds of people from many different organizations.
And, all of these events also rely on support from many city departments.
Pulling the effort all together is often the job of the Parks &
Recreation Department. Parks & Recreation staff work with the organizations
involved to make every event the best it can be.
More than 100 Years of Community
Although Covina was founded in 1886, a major event for the year 2001
will be the 100th anniversary of Covina’s incorporation as a city.
Much of our early history is currently on display as “The Vintage
Years, Covina Before 1950.” This permanent pictorial display is
presented by the Covina Cultural Arts Commission working with Parks
& Recreation Department staff. The project is being funded through
donations, and contributions are still being accepted. This display
is available for viewing whenever City Hall is open, Monday-Thursday
from 7:30 am–5:30 pm and alternate Fridays from 7:30 am–4:30
pm. Docent led tours may also be scheduled by calling the Parks &
Recreation Department at (626) 858-7271, Monday-Friday from 10 am–5:30
pm.
Activities to celebrate the City’s incorporation Centennial will take place in October 2001. Details will be available in the Spring and Summer issues of City View. Anyone interested in serving on the Centennial Committee should call the Parks & Recreation Department at the number listed above.