TITLE:
title
DONATION OF A MEMORIAL TREE, BENCH AND PLAQUE AT ESTANCIA PARK
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DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/MAINTENANCE SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: ROBERT RYAN, MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGER (714) 754-5123
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 tree, bench and plaque to be installed at Estancia Park in memory of Mary Alice Schureman.
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BACKGROUND:
The City is in receipt of a letter from Sue Nichols, the daughter of Bob and Mary Alice Schureman, requesting permission from this Commission to donate a tree, bench and plaque to be installed at Estancia Park in memory of her mother, Mary Alice Schureman, who passed away October 28, 2025 (Attachment 1).
The Schureman family lived in their home for sixty-one years and raised five children in Costa Mesa, all of whom attended Adams Elementary, TeWinkle Middle School, Estancia High School and Orange Coast College. Mary was a dedicated educator, teaching preschool at Mesa Verde Preschool for many years before continuing her career in Early Childhood Development for nearly two decades.
According to the request, Mary had many passions, especially gardening. She spent countless hours tending to her garden, creating a peaceful haven filled with hummingbirds and butterflies. She was also an avid animal lover; she and her husband, Bob, cherished their dogs and enjoyed taking them to local parks and the beach.
The request states that planting a Jacaranda tree at Estancia Park and honoring their mother’s favorite color, purple, would be a meaningful tribute to her memory and this space would offer a place of reflection and serve as a lasting expression of her love for nature and the community.
ANALYSIS:
The request meets the requirements set forth by City Council Policy 800-4 (Attachment 2). Staff has reviewed the proposed location in Estancia Park and determined it to be suitable for the donated items (Attachment 3). Upon approval by this Commission, staff will work with the donor to schedule the installation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Commission may deny the request for the donations or may suggest an alternate location.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The installation of the tree, 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 tree, bench and plaque to be installed at Estancia Park in memory of Mary Alice Schureman.