TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM: P.J. Mellana, Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT:Consideration and possible action to approve the City of Bellflower Department of Parks and Recreation Special Event Calendar for calendar years 2025 and 2026.
DATE:January 13, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Special event programming is a cornerstone of the Parks and Recreation Department’s mission to enhance the quality of life for Bellflower residents. Demand for quality community events and recreational programs continues to increase and this priority has been further emphasized in the recently adopted Bellflower Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which identifies the Department as being in a critical growth phase.
In preparation for the biennial budget process and to ensure efficient and strategic planning, staff is seeking City Council approval for the proposed special event schedule for calendar years 2025 and 2026. Planning events two years in advance allows the Department to align programming efforts with its seasonal recreation brochure distribution and established special event schedule, ensuring cohesion and optimal resource allocation.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Approve the City of Bellflower Department of Parks and Recreation Special Event Calendar for calendar years 2025 and 2026; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
The adoption of the proposed special event calendar has no immediate fiscal impact.
Detailed financial allocations for these events will be included in the budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
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Staff Report – City of Bellflower Parks and Recreation Special Event Calendars January 13, 2025
DISCUSSION
Attached is the proposed Special Event Calendar for the City of Bellflower Department of Parks and Recreation for 2025 and 2026.
When analyzing the proposed schedule, the following considerations are highlighted for review:
1.Event Planning and Coordination Timeline: The successful implementation of special events often requires several months to a year of planning, coordination, and preparation. These efforts, including securing contracts, coordinating with partners, finalizing logistics, and managing resources, are not immediately visible when reviewing a surface-level schedule or calendar. Recognizing the extensive lead time underscores the complexity of delivering high-quality, well-attended events.
2.Departmental Scope and Impact: Special events are a key component of the Parks and Recreation Department’s operations but represent just one aspect of its extensive responsibilities. These include managing recreation programs and classes, coordinating neighborhood clean-up initiatives, overseeing facility rentals and special park use permitting, managing local transportation services, and providing services for seniors and special needs participants. The Department is also tasked with administrative functions, grant administration, and oversight of the City’s Information Technology Division.
At current staffing levels, significant adjustments to special events or other programming could directly impact the personnel responsible for planning and implementation, potentially affecting their capacity to address other departmental priorities effectively.
3.Additional Special Event Responsibilities: In addition to City-sponsored events, the Parks and Recreation Department serves as a liaison and is responsible for issuing permits and providing logistical support for events hosted by or in partnership with private organizations. Examples include the National Day of Prayer, Joint Service Club Luncheon, and the Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat event.
4.Scheduling Conflicts and Community Participation: The timing of special events must be planned to avoid conflicts with other community activities and programs, including Little League, school breaks, facility uses, and other City-sponsored events. Conflicts can significantly impact participation levels and compromise the overall success of an event.
5.Importance of Timing and Consistency: Consistent scheduling, particularly for recurring events, has been key to building attendance, improving execution, and establishing community expectations. Deviations from established timing can disrupt the momentum and success of an event.
ATTACHMENT
2025 and 2026 Parks and Recreation Special Event Calendar ....................................... 3 2 City of Bellflower Updated: January 13, 2025
Department of Parks and Recreation
Special Event Calendar
Special Event Calendar
2025 – TENTATIVE
(YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS ARE DETAILS AND/OR DATES THAT ARE TENTATIVE) (BLUE HIGHLIGHTS ARE HELD AT THE MAYNE OR WILL IMPACT PARKING/ACCESSIBILITY) (GREEN HIGHLIGHTS ARE NEW)
DAY/DATE EVENT/LOCATION NOTES
MON, JAN 27, 2025 OUTGOING MAYOR’S CEREMONY (CITY
HALL/GREENROOM)
OTHER DEPTS. ASSIST
SAT, MAR 22, 2025 ARTFEST (SP)TYPICALLY IN MAY – MOVED FOR 2025 ONLY THU, APR 24, 2025 BRAVO AWARDS (THE MAYNE)MOVED FROM FEB TO APR EFFECTIVE 2022 THU, MAY 8, 2025 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION (TP)
SAT, MAY 17, 2025 COMMUNITY SHREDDING EVENT (TP)AFTER TAX SEASON FRI, JUN 13, 2025 SUMMER KICK-OFF EVENT (CP)
THU, JUN 19, 2025 STREETFEST 1 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
THU, JUN 26, 2025 STREETFEST 2 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
TUE, JUL 1, 2025 ROOFTOP MOVIE
(MAYNE PARKING STRUCTURE)
THU, JUL 10, 2025 STREETFEST 3 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
SAT, JUL 12, 2025 COMMUNITY WALK (BIKE TRAIL)
THU., JUL 17, 2025 RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
(CITY HALL/GREEN ROOM)
THU, JUL 17, 2025 STREETFEST 4 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
THU, JUL 24, 2025 STREETFEST 5 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
SAT/SUN JUL 26-27, 2025 SUMMER CAMPOUT (CP)
THU, JUL 31, 2025 STREETFEST 6 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
TUE, AUG 5, 2025 MOVIE NIGHT/NNO (TP?)
SAT, AUG 23, 2025 CONCERT IN THE PARK (CP)
THU, OCT 2, 2025 STATE OF THE CITY (THE MAYNE)TYPICALLY 1ST THURS. IN OCT. *SAT, OCT 4, 2025
(NEED CC APPROVAL)
CAR SHOW - NOON LIONS + CITY
(BELLFLOWER BLVD. CLOSED WALNUT TO FLORA
VISTA)
TUE, OCT 7, 2025 COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST
(THE MAYNE)
TYPICALLY TUES. FOLLOWING STATE OF
THE CITY. MINISTERIAL ASSOC. EVENT
THU, OCT 9, 2025 JOINT SERVICE CLUB LUNCHEON
(TP TENTATIVELY)
TYPICALLY THUR FOLLOIWNG PRAYER
BREAKFAST. SERVICE CLUB LED.
OCT 2025 (DATES TBD)HALLOWEEN DECORATING CONTEST
SAT, OCT 18, 2025 FAMILY DANCE PARTY (TP)
FRI, OCT 24, 2025 TRICK OR TREAT EVENT (TCP)TYPICALLY FRIDAY PRIOR TO HALLOWEEN.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT.
FALL 2025 (DATE TBD)ROOFTOP MOVIE @ MAYNE PARKING
STRUCTURE
MON, NOV 10, 2025 VETERANS EVENT
(VETERANS MEMORIAL)
BUSINESS DAY PRECEDING VETERANS DAY
11/11
TUE NOV 18, 2025 PHOTO CONTEST RECEPTION (CITY HALL
LOBBY)
*FRI, DEC 5, 2025 (RDO)TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
(BELLFLOWER BLVD CLOSED FLOWER TO FLORA
VISTA)
TYPICALLY FIRST FRI IN DEC
MON, DEC 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION (CITY
HALL)
IF NO ELECTION, MOVES TO COUNCIL
CHAMBERS.
DEC 2025 (DATES TBD)HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
*SAT, DEC 13, 2025 KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY (TP)TYPICALLY SECOND SAT / AFTER TREE
LIGHTING
*DO NOT BOOK FACILITIES ON THESE EVENT DATES /SP events temporarily relocated to TP due to construction 3 City of Bellflower Updated: January 13, 2025
Department of Parks and Recreation
Special Event Calendar
Special Event Calendar
2026 – TENTATIVE
(YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS ARE DETAILS AND/OR DATES THAT ARE TENTATIVE) (BLUE HIGHLIGHTS ARE HELD AT THE MAYNE OR WILL IMPACT PARKING/ACCESSIBILITY) (GREEN HIGHLIGHTS ARE NEW)
DAY/DATE EVENT/LOCATION NOTES
MON, JAN 26, 2026 OUTGOING MAYOR’S CEREMONY (CITY
HALL/GREENROOM)
OTHER DEPTS. ASSIST
THU, APR 23, 2026 BRAVO AWARDS (THE MAYNE)
SAT, MAY 2, 2026 ARTFEST (TP)
THU, MAY 7, 2026 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION (TP)
SAT, MAY 16, 2026 COMMUNITY SHREDDING EVENT (TP)AFTER TAX SEASON FRI, JUN 12, 2026 SUMMER KICK-OFF EVENT (CP)
THU, JUN 18, 2026 STREETFEST 1 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
THU, JUN 25, 2026 STREETFEST 2 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
TUE, JUN 30, 2026 ROOFTOP MOVIE
(MAYNE PARKING STRUCTURE)
THU, JUL 9, 2026 STREETFEST 3 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
SAT, JUL 11, 2026 COMMUNITY WALK (BIKE TRAIL)
THU., JUL 16, 2026 RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
(CITY HALL/GREEN ROOM)
THU, JUL 16, 2026 STREETFEST 4 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
THU, JUL 23, 2026 STREETFEST 5 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
SAT/SUN JUL 25-26, 2026 SUMMER CAMPOUT (CP)
THU, JUL 30, 2026 STREETFEST 6 (BELLFLOWER BLVD.)
TUE, AUG 4, 2026 MOVIE NIGHT/NNO (TP?)
SAT, AUG 22, 2026 CONCERT IN THE PARK (CP)
THU, OCT 1, 2026
+Rehearsal/set-up day prior
STATE OF THE CITY (THE MAYNE)TYPICALLY 1ST THURS. IN OCT. *SAT, OCT 3, 2026
(NEED CC APPROVAL)
CAR SHOW - NOON LIONS + CITY
(BELLFLOWER BLVD. CLOSED WALNUT TO FLORA
VISTA)
TUE, OCT 6, 2026 COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST
(THE MAYNE)
TYPICALLY TUES. FOLLOWING STATE OF
THE CITY. MINISTERIAL ASSOC. EVENT
THU, OCT 8, 2026 JOINT SERVICE CLUB LUNCHEON
(TP TENTATIVELY)
TYPICALLY THUR FOLLOIWNG PRAYER
BREAKFAST. SERVICE CLUB LED.
OCT 2025 (DATES TBD)HALLOWEEN DECORATING CONTEST
SAT, OCT 17, 2026 FAMILY DANCE PARTY (TP)
FRI, OCT 23, 2026 TRICK OR TREAT EVENT (TCP)TYPICALLY FRIDAY PRIOR TO HALLOWEEN.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT.
FALL 2026 (DATE TBD)ROOFTOP MOVIE @ MAYNE PARKING
STRUCTURE
TUES, NOV 10, 2026 VETERANS EVENT
(AT VETERANS MEMORIAL)
BUSINESS DAY PRECEDING VETERANS DAY
11/11
TUE NOV 17, 2026 PHOTO CONTEST RECEPTION (CITY HALL
LOBBY)
*FRI, DEC 4, 2026 (RDO)TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
(BELLFLOWER BLVD CLOSED FLOWER TO FLORA
VISTA)
TYPICALLY FIRST FRI IN DEC
DEC 2026 (DATES TBD)HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST
*SAT, DEC 12, 2026 KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY (TP)TYPICALLY SECOND SAT / AFTER TREE
LIGHTING
MON, DEC 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION & OATH OF
OFFICE (CITY HALL)
WJBCA W/ RECEPTION IN LOBBY (IF NO
ELECTION, MOVES TO COUNCIL
CHAMBERS)
*DO NOT BOOK FACILITIES ON THESE EVENT DATES /SP events temporarily relocated to TP due to construction 4