TITLE:
title
DONATION OF A MEMORIAL BENCH AND PLAQUE AT TEWINKLE PARK
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/MAINTENANCE SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER (714) 754-5123
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services Commission accept the donation of a bench and plaque to be installed at TeWinkle Park in memory of Steven Lee Baker.
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BACKGROUND:
The City is in receipt of a letter from former Parks and Community Services Commissioner, Sara Fahy, requesting permission from this Commission to donate a bench and plaque to be installed at TeWinkle Park in memory of Steven Lee Baker who passed away July 6, 2025 (Attachment 1).
Mr. Baker was a long-time resident of Costa Mesa who deeply loved the beautiful parks in the community and the nature woven through the neighborhoods. He had many hobbies such as surfing, fishing, camping and especially music. He turned his love for music and vintage instruments into a career, traveling the world, and acquiring a private collection of rare American vintage stringed instruments, particularly banjos, with showrooms in Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Newport Beach.
Mr. Baker’s investment in the arts, culture and outdoors of Costa Mesa involved organizing a first of its kind ‘Bluegrass and Traditional Music Expo 86’, held at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The event featured over 200 exhibits where families and the community gathered to enjoy folk music. On September 5, 1986, the Daily Pilot featured a spread on the event and interviewed Mr. Baker, who spoke of the resurgence of Bluegrass Music and the value of community.
His family has fond memories of this event. His love for music and nature often went hand in hand and you could find him on a park bench playing the banjo or harmonica, bringing joy to those around him. The family would love to have a bench near the lakes at TeWinkle Park, where they have so many precious memories together. The bench would serve as a place to gather and share those memories with family and friends who still reside in Costa Mesa.
ANALYSIS:
The request meets the requirements set forth by City Council Policy 800-4 (Attachment 2). Staff has reviewed the proposed location at TeWinkle Park and determined it to be suitable for the memorial bench and plaque (Attachment 3). Upon approval by this Commission, staff will work with the donor to schedule the installation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Commission may deny the request or recommend an alternate location.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The installation of the bench and plaque will have minimal fiscal impact on the City, as the donor will incur the cost of the items.
LEGAL REVIEW:
No legal review is required for this item.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services Commission accept the donation of a bench and plaque to be installed at TeWinkle Park in memory of Steven Lee Baker.