Title
Receive Status Update and Provide Direction on the Chochenyo Park Play Area.
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Receive Status Update and Provide Direction on the Chochenyo Park Play Area.
BACKGROUND
During the City's Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/21 Budget process, a group of Jackson Park neighbors spoke at the Recreation and Parks Commission (Commission) meeting to advocate for a small play area to be installed at Jackson Park. After hearing the comments, the Commission included project in its recommendation to City Council for the FY 2019/21 budget. The City Council allocated $75,000 toward a play area at Jackson Park during its FY 2019/21 budget discussions and approval.
On July 23, 2019, staff held a neighborhood meeting and approximately 75 people attended. Overall, the comments were equally for and against a play area at the park with some people expressing interest but with reservations. Residents also expressed concerns that there is deferred maintenance at the park that should be addressed.
In December 2019, the Commission approved a tree and asphalt replacement plan. Phase 1 of the asphalt pathway replacement was completed in June 2020. Throughout 2020, a larger silver linden tree and magnolia tree were planted in addition to a volunteer tree planting event in November 2020 in which twenty trees of several varieties were planted throughout the park.
In September 2019, the Commission provided direction for a landscape play area design and in June 2020, the Commission provided direction to focus on the design created by Tyler Velten with a train log focus. Tyler Velten has provided his services at no cost.
DISCUSSION
The location of the landscape play area is proposed to be closer to the center of the north end of the park for safety reasons to avoid the higher traffic Encinal Avenue (Exhibit 1). Based on input from the Commission, th...
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