Bellflower Parks and
Recreation Master Plan
November 12, 2024
City Council
Presentation
Presentation Overview
Master Plan Description
Existing Conditions
Community Engagement
Recommendations
P.J. Mellana: Director of Parks and Recreation
Kristen Smith: Recreation Manager
Mike Machado: Recreation and Marketing Supervisor
Alan Pennington
Khushboo Hussain
Chas Jordan
Joe Punsalan
Jacob Leon
Nicole Rogge
Isabel Perez
Project Team
What is a Parks and Recreation Master Plan?
•A comprehensive planning effort that will guide the city in short, mid, and long-term projects and programs for current and future Bellflower residents
•Master plans like these are updated every 10 years
•Provides a clear set of goals for both infrastructure and program improvements as well as financial sustainability •Includes community and stakeholder engagement
Why Is This Master Plan Important?
City demographics and
park & recreation needs
evolve over time
Access to parks & recreation is
linked to City’s overall physical,
mental, and economic health
Ensure that under-represented
groups are equitably engaged
and that the outcomes directly
improve quality of life
Existing Conditions
Existing City Parks and Facilities
Constitution ParkCaruthers Park
Library GardensJohn S. Simms Park
Population 2023: 79,070
Acres per 1,000: 79.07
Total park acres needed to reach goal: 316.28
Park Level of Service
Existing LOS for City Parks
Existing Park Acreage 99.50
Recommended Adopted Standard
per 1,000 Population 4.00
Acres per 1,000 Population (2023)1.26
Total Surplus/Deficit Acres per
1,000 Population (2023)-2.74
Acres in Deficit 216.78
*Population estimates from census.gov
Comparing Nearby Cities
City Population Park Acres Acres per
1,000 Goal
Acres per
1,000
Gardena 61,543 49 3 0.80
Norwalk 106,629 113 NA 1.10
Bellflower 79,070 100 4 1.27
Montebello 62,742 125 4 1.30
Lakewood 79,919 150 4 1.88
Whittier 85,306 260 5 3.05
Cerritos 51,488 187 3 3.64
Average 74,605 147 4 2
•Mapping tool that helps visualize
distances from an origin point.
•Helps understand access or lack of
access to parks.
•Often use 1/2-mile distances,
approximately equal to a 12-minute walk
Travelshed Analysis
Existing Parks Half-
Mile Travelshed
•Half mile is
approximately a 10-12
minute walk
•Some gaps are evident in
the northwest and
southeast part of the City
•City offers various
services and
programs for youth,
adults, and seniors.
•From June 2022 to
June 2023, the City
offered over three
hundred program
registration options
Programs and Services
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
•Inclusive
community
engagement for
every major
milestone
•Website, survey,
social media, focus
group meetings,
workshops, pop-up
events, etc.
Community Engagement
Community Survey: Key Takeaways
Recommendations
Recommendations Overview
Caruthers Park Example
Examples of Short, Mid, and Long-Term Goals
Examples of Short, Mid, and Long-Term Goals
Examples of Short, Mid, and Long-Term Goals
Future Park Opportunities
Future Park Opportunities: Concepts
Future Park Opportunities: Concepts
Future Park Opportunities: Concepts
Pocket Park Concept Mini Park Concept
Linear Park Concept
Future Park Opportunities: Concepts
Aquatics Center Concept Aquatics Center Concept
Future Park Opportunities: Concepts
Court Sports Complex Concept Sports Field Complex Concept Court Sports Complex Concept
Next Steps
Staff Recommendation to City Council
•Receive, file, and adopt the City of Bellflower Parks
and Recreation Plan prepared by KTU&A; or
•Alternatively, discuss and take other action related
to this item.
Fiscal Impact Note: Plan adoption has no immediate
fiscal impact; however, future projects and initiatives based on the Plan may require separate policy and
fiscal evaluations.
Thank
You!