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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: AUGUST 26, 2025
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT
APPLICATION TO THE RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS
CONSERVANCY PROPOSITION 4 GRANT PROGRAM FOR
LA PALMA PARK
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 17
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Resolution:
1. Approve the submittal of an application, in an amount of $1,500,000, to the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program for the La Palma Park Project; authorize the Director of Community Services, or designee, to act as the Agent of the City of Anaheim on all matters concerning the grant program; accept such funding on behalf of the City in the amount of $1,500,000; and increase the Community Services Department budget accordingly for the fiscal year in which grant funds are awarded; and
2. Determine that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (Information Collection).
DISCUSSION:
Opened in 1939, La Palma Park (park) is the second oldest and one of the most well-used parks in Anaheim, serving as the venue for popular festivals as well as many sporting events and celebrations. While the east portion of the park provides active uses, the west portion contains mostly passive and outdated amenities that include a picnic shelter, turf area, a sparse playground, the Martin Recreation Center, and a small parking lot.
The community has advocated for the revitalization of the west portion of the park. In response, Community Services staff worked with local residents and user groups to develop a vision that would make the park a more fun, beautiful, and safe place to visit. The community’s vision transforms the site into a space with soccer fields, security lighting, exercise equipment, walking paths, playground, covered picnic areas, open-air arena, restroom building, and more. The estimated project cost is approximately $15 million.
Resolution to approve the Submittal of a Grant Application to the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Proposition 4 Grant Program for La Palma Park
August 26, 2025
The City has been actively seeking funding to implement this project and was awarded a $6,000,000 grant from the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program and $2,000,000 from Congressmember Lou Correa’s Federal Earmark. Recently, staff identified this project as a competitive candidate for the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy’s Proposition 4 Grant Program. Staff recommends approval of the grant application for this funding opportunity. Award announcements are expected in September 2025.
Staff is currently working with a design consultant to develop construction documents and obtain plan check approval, which is estimated to be completed in Spring 2026. The last phase of the Project entails bidding and construction with an anticipated park completion in late 2027.
This Project is in line with the City’s Strategic Plan Goal A – Maintain Financial Responsibility, Strategy 2 – Continue proactive pursuit of state and federal grant funds, and Goal C – Invest in Infrastructure and Amenities, Strategy 11 - Review and implement the Parks Master Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The Community Services Department recommends that the City Council determine that this action is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15306 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, which pertains to information gathering purposes leading to an action that a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
If awarded, the Community Services Department budget will be increased by the amount of the grant in the fiscal year in which the grant funds are awarded.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Master Plan