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 provide direction regarding two City-owned parcels and whether they should be considered for future park development.
DATE: August 11, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Director of Parks and Recreation (“Director”) continues to identify and pursue grant funding opportunities to support future park development in alignment with the City of Bellflower’s Strategic Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Director is currently seeking City Council direction on whether two City-owned parcels should be considered for future potential park development.
The properties include the 9443 Artesia Boulevard Parcel (APN 7161 -001-900, approximately 10,999 square feet) and the Riverview Park Adjacent Parcel (APN 6275 -027-900, approximately 2.5 acres). While each of these properties presents challenges to future development and uses as park space, both sites present unique opportunities to address the limited availability of land for new park projects, and both are currently owned by the City - a key factor in securing competitive grant funding.
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the suitability of two parcels for future park development; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with providing direction on the potential suitability of the 9443 Artesia Boulevard and Riverview Park Adjacent parcels for future park development.
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Staff Report – City Parcels Considered for Park Development August 11, 2025
DISCUSSION
The City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan identifies the 9443 Artesia Boulevard Parcel and the Riverview Park Adjacent Parcel as potential sites for new park development while also recognizing the challenges that these two parcels present for future development. Each location presents significant and unique challenges for marketing to commercial or residential developers, but could be potentially viable for future development of open space and parks and recreation uses – some of which were discussed as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
9443 Artesia Boulevard (APN 7161-001-900): The property at 9443 Artesia Boulevard encompasses approximately 10,999 square feet and has been vacant for some time. It was purchased by the Bellflower Redevelopment Agency in 2003, then subsequently purchased by the City from the Successor Agency around 2017. Historical records indicate that the property previously included both residential and commercial uses on the same lot. It is currently zoned General Commercial (C-G) along this section of Artesia Boulevard; therefore, a zone change to Open Space and a corresponding General Plan Amendment would be required for future park use. In recent years there has been limited interest in the site for housing or commercial development due to its small size - one developer briefly considered multi-unit housing but ultimately found the site limitations unrealistic for the project.
Due to its limited size, the parcel will require innovative and space-efficient design solutions to maximize community benefit. Despite its location in a commercial zone and size constraints, the parcel presents a unique opportunity to create a pedestrian -oriented pocket park that enhances park equity, provides passive green space with self-directed recreational amenities in an underserved area. Its visibility, walkability, and potential for urban greening could make it a viable use of limited land.
The Riverview Park Adjacent Parcel (Former Andy’s Nursery Parcel - APN 6275-027-900):
This parcel encompasses approximately 2.5 acres currently zoned as Open Space and consists of a vacated nursery. The site is currently landlocked with no vehicular access, minimal infrastructure, and is near the Southern California Edison right of way. The property has been considered for redevelopment (residential and otherwise) in the past, but due to infrastructure challenges and associated costs, that development did not go forward. Any future development will require infrastructure improvements, including access, plumbing, and electrical service. These challenges are less problematic for parks and open spaces than with commercial and residential development and may be able to be addressed during design, with an emphasis on cost efficiency and sustainability. Potential strategies include modular building solutions and solar-powered lighting to minimize long-term maintenance and operating costs.
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Staff Report – City Parcels Considered for Park Development August 11, 2025
DISCUSSION – Continued
Due to its size, location, and adjacency to both Riverview Park and the San Gabriel River and trail system, the 2.5-acre parcel presents a significantly higher level of viability for park development. As referenced in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the site could accommodate active recreation, programmed use, controlled access, and on -site staffing. Its strategic position enhances connectivity to the citywide park and trail network, also establishing it as a potential regional destination accessible to neighboring communities. The property’s scale, connectivity, and potential for programmed recreational use offer substantial public benefit and make it well-positioned for future grant opportunities related to both park design and construction.
While each of these sites present challenges for development, the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified them as potential opportunity sites to expand the availability of parks and open space in the community. Should the City Council desire to advance conceptual planning for either or both of these sites, the Director will seek to apply for grant funding for development.
ATTACHMENT
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