TITLE:
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DONATION OF A MEMORIAL TREE, A BENCH AND TWO PLAQUES AT ESTANCIA 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 tree, a bench and two (2) plaques to be installed at Estancia Park in memory of John (Jack) Thomas O’Meara.
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BACKGROUND:
The City is in receipt of a letter from Catherine Franklin and Martha O’Meara requesting permission from this Commission to donate a tree, a bench and two (2) plaques to be installed at Estancia Park in memory of John (Jack) Thomas O’Meara (Attachment 1).
The O’Meara family moved to Mesa Verde, down the hill from Estancia Park, in 1967 where they reside today. Jack was born in Illinois in 1931. After graduating from Colby College, he joined the Navy and was stationed in California. He married his wife, Martha, and they had three daughters. They originally settled in Los Angeles and moved to the Mesa Verde neighborhood in Costa Mesa, which they felt offered a more tranquil and safer neighborhood with a sense of community and quality schools. The family has enjoyed six decades in Mesa Verde, sharing this special community with their children, grandchildren and now their great-grandchild.
The family has many fond memories of carefree days at Estancia Park throughout the years, including playing in the fields, using the swings, flying kites, watching Santa Claus arrive by helicopter, attending Balearic Elementary School, and enjoying winter activities at the park. According to the letter, Jack would jog around the Estancia Park fields and go up to the adobe to sit in peace. He loved the community so much that he turned down promotions that would have required him to move because he considered Mesa Verde the perfect place to live.
Mr. O’Meara passed away on July 13, 2026, at the age of 95. The family would like to donate a bench and tree to the City he loved so much. They believe Estancia Park would be a fitting place to honor his memory and provide a special place for family members to visit and remember him.
ANALYSIS:
The request meets the requirements set forth by City Council Policy 800-4 (Attachment 2). Staff has reviewed the proposed location at Estancia Park and determined it to be suitable for the memorial tree. A new bench will replace an existing rusted bench. One plaque will be installed with the new bench, and a second plaque will be installed next to the tree (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 tree, a bench and two (2) plaques 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, a bench and two (2) plaques to be installed at Estancia Park in memory of John (Jack) Thomas O’Meara.