Marcona Preserve to add 1,200 homes

Gossamer Grove is not the only development bringing homes, parks and future retail development to the city. The Marcona Preserve Development, also to be built by Lennar Homes, is beginning a construction phase that will bring about 400 new residences to the city, right down Seventh Standard Road from Gossamer between the Friant-Kern Canal and the Calloway Canal.

The area will include single-family residential development, a middle school, recreation amenities that include four parks, meandering sidewalks, a bike path, a natural trail and a dedicated walking path. Construction on the project begins in three weeks, and it is planned to grow to a total of 1,200 homes in three phases.

The prices for the homes will start in the $300,000s and will feature a variety of floorplans, including three, four and five bedrooms, open concept plans and also plans that include NexGen homes, which are energy-efficient and include add-on units to the property. The first move-ins are scheduled set for spring 2025.

The parks and recreation plan for the development includes a 3.8-acre public park on the western side of Jewetta Avenue North and a 4.3-acre park on the eastern side of Jewetta Avenue North, north of the planned school. One approximately 1.01-acre park and one approximately 1.75-acre park on each side of Jewetta Avenue North, south of the school site.

In addition, a specific plan will develop a multiuse walkway along Jewetta Avenue North, the development's main road. Sidewalks will connect Jewetta Avenue North to the parks and natural trail.

Sand pedestrian bridges are expected to cross both the Friant-Kern Canal and the Calloway Canal along Seventh Standard Road to further increase connectivity of the area's trail system, as part of the Gossamer Grove and Mission Lakes Specific Plan areas (east and west of the Marcona Preserve property). Sidewalks will connect the parks and the school area east and west of Jewetta Avenue North.

A bike lane will also be implemented along Jewetta Avenue North, and the development will provide multiple access points to a bicycle trail originating in the City of Bakersfield. The public parks are envisioned as gathering places for the community, and may accommodate small neighborhood events. These areas, together with the multiuse walkway, will be focal points of the Marcona Preserve community.

The parks will be primarily passive recreation areas, and may include amenities such as children's play areas with adjacent seating and paths, multipurpose turf, bike racks, picnic tables, and other park furniture. Lighting within the parks will be consistent with street lighting along Jewetta Avenue North. Landscaping will also be consistent with the landscape design along Jewetta Avenue North. The 1.01- acre and 1.75-acre public parks will be maintained by the City of Shafter and the larger parks may be maintained by Shafter.

The multi-use walkway along Jewetta Avenue North will be a meandering path that will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as other nonmotorized users. The multiuse walkway will provide residents with an alternative mode of transportation throughout the community, and may enhance social interaction within the area. In addition, Class II bike lanes will be implemented along both sides of Jewetta Avenue North. Sidewalks will be developed to connect the parks and the school to Jewetta Avenue North. A minimum 36-foot wide Natural Trail will be implemented along the entire frontage along Seventh Standard Road, which will tie into the trails planned as part of the Mission Lakes and Gossamer Grove plans.

The Natural Trail will include a 10-foot wide landscaped sidewalk separated from Seventh Standard Road by at least 10 feet of landscaping.