STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: February 11, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Mandana Motahari, City Architect
Adrine Ovasapyan, Recreation Services Manager
Subject: Arnaz Mini Park – Playground Improvements Project Attachments: 1. Conceptual Design Drawings
INTRODUCTION
This report provides information on the design of Arnaz Mini Park play equipment replacement. The schematic design has been presented on December 18, 2025 to the Recreation and Parks City Council Liaisons, Mayor Nazarian and Councilmember Wells, and recommended for staff to prepare bid documents.
BACKGROUND
Deeded to the City in 1925, Arnaz Mini Park is one of the City’s seven Public Mini Parks.
The concept of mini parks in Beverly Hills was initiated by Edward E. Tufte who was a resident of Beverly Hills for 41 years and served the City as City Engineer and Public Works Director from 1959 to 1976. Mr. Tufte persuaded City Council to buy small, scattered parcels of land and transform them into beautifully landscaped public parks.
Arnaz Mini Park underwent major improvements and was rededicated in 2008.
DISCUSSION
The 7,500 square feet park includes hardscape and landscape areas with mature trees, a water feature, a small picnic area, and a 475 square feet playground. As part of 2008 improvements, fire engine play equipment was installed and has been serving as the only play equipment at this playground. While regular maintenance has been performed on this apparatus, it has reached its useful life and is due for replacement.
The new playground will replace the existing fire engine on the oval-shaped safety surface.
The new design includes play equipment in the form of colorful cubes suitable for climbing in, on and through, creating play experiences in small spaces, while the interiors of the cubes provide tactile play amenities. The selected equipment provides increased play value.
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Meeting Date: February 11, 2026
Framing the playground environment are freestanding colorful poles with oversized butterfly shapes on top, creating whimsical elements and butterfly patterns on the ground.
All proposed changes are designed to work within the limited area of existing safety surface geometry.
The poured-in-place safety rubber surface is ADA accessible and relatively new. Surfaces will only be replaced where the new play equipment is situated in a pattern that is compatible and complementary with the existing design.
The next step will involve preparing construction documents and bidding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current estimate for this project is $175,000, and there is $1,847,447 available in Parks Facilities Maintenance and Improvements - CIP 00315 to cover the cost of construction.
RECOMMENDATION
This report is for information only.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
ARNAZ MINI PARK | DECEMBER 13, 2024
PLAY CUBE STRUCTURES + BUTTERFLY SHADE CANOPIES
Steel Butterfly
Shade Elements
Playworld ‘Play Cube’
Climbing Structures
Rubber Safety
Surface
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ARNAZ MINI PARK | DECEMBER 13, 2024
BUTTERFLY SHADE CANOPIES
PAINTED STEEL SUPPORTS
STEEL BUTTERFLY CANOPIES
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