TITLE:
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PROPOSED DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS FOR SHALIMAR pARK
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION
PRESENTED BY: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: RAJA SETHURAMAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, (714) 754-5343
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff requests that Parks and Community Services (PACS) Commission review and recommend the conceptual design plan for the proposed improvements at Shalimar Park, 782 Shalimar Drive, Costa Mesa, for approval by the City Council.
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BACKGROUND:
Shalimar Park is located in the Westside neighborhood of Costa Mesa along Shalimar Drive between Wallace Avenue and Placentia Avenue. The park was dedicated in January 1999, and despite its relatively small size, less than half-acre, the current park includes a playground featuring elements for young children, trees, seating area and benches. The park is situated between two large apartment complexes and is an essential part of the community in serving the nearby underserved residents with recreational amenities. The proposed improvements will expand the park area, enhance the playground equipment, play area, landscaping, irrigation, lighting, and supporting facilities.
In 2023, the City secured the services of Pat West, LLC, and City Fabrick to conduct several community outreach meetings for the Shalimar Park improvements. Moreover, the preliminary park design options were discussed with the City’s Parks and Community Services (PACS) Commission on August 10, 2023.
On January 16, 2024, the City Council awarded Community Works Design Group (CWDG) as the consultant to provide design services for the Shalimar Park improvements.
ANALYSIS:
The City’s consultant, CWDG, based on input from prior community meetings and input from the PACS Commission, developed conceptual plans for Shalimar Park. A community outreach meeting was held on May 17, 2024 at Shalimar Park to review conceptual plans. Meeting notices were distributed to residents in the surrounding area and also through social media. The meeting attracted large number of residents and stakeholders, who shared their opinions and ideas on the conceptual plans. CWDG and City staff presented design boards with various options. Community members were encouraged to provide their comments as well as indicate their preference of various features using “dot” stickers. In addition, for those who could not attend the community outreach meeting, City-sponsored online opinion survey was commissioned to obtain additional input.
The conceptual plans were presented at the community outreach meeting, and their comments and suggestions have been incorporated as two options: Plan A and Plan B, which are shown as Attachment 1. Plan A features a layout consisting of an expanded playground with added swing gliders and picnic tables. Plan B features a prominent grassy area in front of the park, which accentuates the open space aspect for this small park. The community responses are reflected in Attachments 2A and 2B.
Staff requests the PACS Commission review and select from one of the conceptual plans (A or B), along with the amenity options for Shalimar Park for City Council approval.
ALTERNATIVES:
The proposed improvements have been developed utilizing community input and feedback. The Commission may choose to provide suggestions to revise the proposed conceptual design plan selected by the Commission or recommend staff to pursue a different design plan. This recommendation from the PACS Commission will be forwarded to City Council for final approval.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Funds are available from the $1.0 million state budget earmarked from state Senator David Min adopted in Fiscal Year 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and approximately $1.3 million in other City funds for Shalimar Park budgeted in prior fiscal years.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This item is administrative in nature and no legal review is necessary.
CONCLUSION:
Staff requests that Parks and Community Services (PACS) Commission review and recommend the conceptual design plan for the proposed improvements at Shalimar Park, 782 Shalimar Drive, Costa Mesa, for approval by the City Council.