LAMORINDA WEEKLY | MCF announces ADA bathroom funding initiative


Rendering of the proposed bathroom building Graphic provided

Moraga Community Foundation, the volunteer-led group that raised funds for the surveillance camera police network in Moraga, recently announced its intent to fund a campaign to update the bathrooms located at the Moraga Commons Park next to the recently inaugurated all-access playground to the highest ADA standards. The town council will have to approve the project before the service group starts its campaign.

Tom Schnurr, current president of the foundation, came to the town council on Feb. 14 to present the idea. Schnurr explains that when the foundation board saw the great work Moraga Rotary had done raising funds for the all-access playground, it was inspired to contribute to the improvement of the park.

Dianne Wilson for the Moraga Rotary said the club has worked for the past year and a half to create and finance the finest all-access playground for children in the whole Bay Area. "Therefore, we are pleased to see the effort being made to make the restroom facilities conform to ADA standards to complement the beautiful play area," she added.

The group of volunteers started exploring possibilities and best practices, and is proposing a new facility that would not exceed the existing bathroom footprint. It would include four unisex fully ADA-compliant bathrooms, one with an adult changing table, a feature that is now often provided in California, explained Schnurr.

The exterior existing water fountain would also be upgraded for cyclists, pedestrians and their four-legged companions.

Schnurr said at the council meeting that the project's cost would be between $225,000 and $275,000. The project was to be reviewed by the parks and recreation commission on Feb. 20. MCF will also present it to the Parks Foundation, the Moraga Rotary Club, Moraga Lions Club and Moraga Valley Kiwanis for advice and support.

If approved, the project will be conducted by the town staff. The pricing presented by MCF takes into account a turnkey solution that would include the installation of the new bathrooms.

The MCF was created at the beginning of 2016 to build a vibrant future for Moraga. It is common knowledge that this philanthropic group has a watchful eye on the Rheem Theatre and would want to support efforts to turn it into a public asset, should the property owner cooperate. Schnurr says that the foundation can handle several projects at a time, and MCF recently raised enough money to install a network of security cameras in town.