TITLE:
title
CITYWIDE PARK AND PLAYGROUND ASSESSMENT
end
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 the Parks and Community Services Commission:
1. Receive and file final report for the Citywide Park and Playground Assessment.
end
BACKGROUND:
The City maintains thirty-two (32) parks with thirty-eight (38) play structures. Twenty-two of those existing play structures were installed over twenty-five years ago. A citywide playground assessment is needed to provide an unbiased report identifying and prioritizing essential improvements that provides safe, functional and enjoyable spaces for the community.
The City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Citywide Park and Playground Assessment on February 20, 2025. On April 10, 2025, a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) was executed for David Volz Design (DVD) Creative for the Citywide Park and Playground Assessment.
The goals of the project were to:
1. Prioritize parks with the greatest needs for improvement.
2. Identify and assess existing playgrounds.
3. Identify facilities/buildings where improvements are needed.
4. Improve safety and site access.
5. Evaluate long-term maintenance needs.
6. Identify sustainable opportunities.
Lastly, the assessment will provide cost estimates to assist with planning and budgeting to implement the recommended improvements.
ANALYSIS:
The team from DVD Creative visited each park in Spring and Summer 2025 to inspect and review seven (7) key elements: playgrounds, structures, fields/courts, amenities, hardscape, landscape/irrigation and maintenance. Each category was scored on a 1 to 5 scale and weighted to aid in prioritization. Existing conditions were documented and photographed. The final ranking is based on the total scores from the park criteria categories. The final assessment is included as Attachment 1.
As the evaluation was conducted in mid 2025, several of the recent improvement projects were not taken into account. Park improvement projects are currently underway at Brentwood, Ketchum-Libolt and Shalimar parks. Therefore, evaluations conducted and the results at those parks are no longer valid.
The above methodology and resulting Park Assessment Study report will guide the City to objectively compare parks and allocate resources more effectively during the upcoming and future budget process. Staff requests Commission’s feedback and comments on the study.
ALTERNATIVES
There are no alternatives to consider for this item.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There is no fiscal impact related to this presentation.
LEGAL REVIEW:
There is no legal review required as this item is administrative in nature.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the Parks and Community Services Commission:
1. Receive and file final report for the Citywide Park and Playground Assessment.