Cache Creek Parkway Feasibility Study

Yolo County (California0

Yolo County retained BAE to prepare a financial feasibility study for the Cache Creek Parkway Plan.  The proposed parkway would function as a regional open space and recreational resource, linking a series of reclaimed gravel quarrying areas along Cache Creek.

Ultimately, Yolo County will acquire approximately 1,650 acres of land as gravel mining operations are completed on various properties under the jurisdiction of the County’s gravel mining permit system.  The sites have been or will be restored and maintained for a range of uses, including wildlife habitat, passive open space, and parklands for various active uses.  BAE prepared a cash flow financial feasibility analysis to project the anticipated operating costs or the parkway system as the County acquires sites over time.  The analysis considered four different scenarios, representing different levels of Parkway improvements, which would support progressively increasing levels of public use, beginning with passive open space and day use, to overnight camping and active uses such as swimming, boating, and mountain biking.  BAE projected annual operating costs, based on surveys of costs from other similar park systems and existing County expenditures.  BAE incorporated one-time capital improvement cost estimates provided by the County’s landscape architect.  BAE then projected a range of operating revenues, including a designated portion of ongoing gravel mining fee proceeds, in-kind support from existing Parkway partners, and user fees.  In addition, BAE considered potential revenues from a countywide parcel tax that could fund one-time capital costs as well as ongoing operating costs.  BAE’s analysis demonstrated that the Parkway system could be viable at a baseline level of operation, based on existing known funding sources, and that more intensive use of the Parkway would be supported with introduction of new revenue sources tied to expanded activities and user groups.