Update: Tuolumne County Library and Parks & Recreation Department

Liz Peterson, Deputy County Administrator and currently serving as the Interim Director of the Library and Parks and Recreation Department, reported on recent department activities at the January 6 Board of Supervisors meeting. Contact her with any questions or comments: (209) 533-6396 or epeterson@co.tuolumne.ca.us.

Library

A first-time inventory of books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials was completed at all county library branches. Karen Orr-Fritts spearheaded the effort with all branch managers and has developed an annual inventory process to ensure collections are updated.

In partnership with Columbia College students, the library is developing plans to offer technology classes to the public.

New furniture donated by Friends of the Library recently arrived at the Sonora main branch. Also, the Sonora Sunrise Rotary is donating new furniture for the children’s area there.

Parks & Recreation

The Sheriff’s Jail Inmate crews performed extensive grounds maintenance at Standard Park. A new groundskeeper, Dennis Costello, initiated a semiannual schedule in October 2025 to aerate, overseed, and fertilize the grass fields. An audit of the park’s irrigation system was completed and will help determine future replacement and upkeep.

The groundskeeping team has moved to a permanent shop at Standard Park. The new facility includes a complete workroom, office, bathroom, workstation, and breakroom. Several county teams, in addition to groundskeeping (IT, Facilities, probation work release), facilitated the move.

The Board of Supervisors will consider whether to continue to manage park operations or issue a Request for Proposal to outsource the work.

 (Added note: Standard Park will not be privatized in the near future.)