STAFF REPORT
PARKS AND
RECREATION
DATE: August 11, 2022
TO: Parks and Recreation Board Members
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation, and Community Services Director BY: Diego Cevallos, Deputy Director Recreation Services
SUBJECT: George Izay Park Public Engagement and Master Plan Process Update
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss, note, and file the report.
BACKGROUND
In May 2021, the Parks and Recreation Department (Department) initiated a Request for Proposal process to select a consulting firm to develop a public engagement framework to identify and determine the needs for George Izay Park (Park) buildings and amenities.
Information gathered during this process was to guide the development of a George Izay Park Master Plan (Master Plan).
The Department received four (4) submissions during the competitive bid process that was open from May 14, 2021 to June 17, 2021 . Proposals were submitted by Goodale Architecture Planning ; RJM Design Group ; Sacramento State - Consensus and Collaboration Program ; and Global Urban Strategies . Staff conducted in -person interviews that began with a presentation by each consulting firm, followed by structured questions asked by a panel of Department staff. As a result of extensive deliberation and a competitive scoring process , on September 3, 2021, RJM Design Group (Consultant) was awarded the George Izay Park Public Engagement Project.
DISCUSSION
The Department prioritizes community engagement and the value it brings to a thoughtful and inclusive decision -making process. Over the last ten (10) months the Department actively engaged residents by conducting several community outreach events.
On October 5, 2021, RJM Design Group conducted an initial kick -off meeting with the Department to review the following: scope of services; objectives; methodology; guiding principles; community outreach framework; project schedule; Department standards and ATTACHMENT 1
2 policies; budgets; key deliverables; as well as roles and responsibilities of team members.
The Department quickly established c lear communication with the Consultant to include regular monthly virtual meetings with a dedicated Project Manager, Tamara McClory.
Following the kick-off meeting, the Consultant and City Staff conducted a site tour of the Park. During th e site tour the Consultant reviewed the following: existing conditions ; maintenance practices ; and building and facility conditions , including, grading and drainage; site topography; pedestrian and vehicular circulation ; site access; trees and vegetation; physical limitations and site adjacencies ; external influences; site amenities; facilities; buildings; and recorded the location of above-ground utility infrastructure.
Shortly thereafter, t he Consultant developed a dedicated project website (www.BurbankCA.gov/IzayMasterPlan) to educate the public about th e project. The Consultant developed a story map platform on the website for the community to learn about the various stages of the project . This website has been a hub for community collaboration and meaningful two -way feedback. As each of the outreach efforts were completed, the results were shared on the site. Th e website enables continued community involvement for the life of the project and allows for direct community comments via a “Feedback” button. As feedback is recorded, it continues to be reviewed and shared with the project team on a monthly basis. The project website also aims to provide clear and open communication about the pro cess to provide a public record of the process, outcomes, while displaying a range of collected views and ideas. Currently, the project website has received over 8,700 views.
On November 17, 2021, the Consultant launched a Virtual Town Hall Presentation and Online Survey # 1 . The initial community outreach event include d a robust Department Marketing campaign designed to build awareness. These efforts included distribution of door hangers to over 1,000 residents around the Park, and distribution of postcards and poster boards throughout Recreation and Community Centers and public counters. In addition, a pre-recorded video presentation introducing the project, background, timelines, outreach methods completed to date, future outreach methods, and goals were posted “live” on the project website . The video has remained accessible on the website for participants who were not able to “attend” but want to stay involved. The benefit of the online presentation allows participants to remain engaged on their own time.
On November 17, 2021 , a video presentation kicked off a three (3) week “live” online Survey #1 for community members to provide input. After Survey #1 closed, participants were still able to provide feedback on the website. This survey focused on likes, dislikes, and preferred amenities, programs, facilities , and improvements community members would like to see at the Park. In total, 838 community responses were collected for Survey #1 and are displayed in an easy-to-follow graphical format on the project website.
On December 9, 2021, the Consultant began soliciting the attitudes and perceived needs of community stakeholders as an essential part of the project. Stakeholders are often involved in the front lines of community recreation support and have a unique understanding of community desires. Fifteen (15), virtual one -on-one interviews were
3 conducted with selected key stakeholders such as members of various boards and commissions.
On January 26, 2022, a second pre-recorded video presentation introducing the project; background; timelines; outreach methods completed to date and results ; and future outreach methods and goals was posted “live” on the project website. This video presentation initiated another three (3) week “live” community online Survey #2. Survey #2 focused on the prioritization of the top amenities, facilities, programs, and improvements collected from Survey #1 and Stakeholder Interviews. Survey #2 had a total of 613 responses.
During the community outreach process, a statistically valid multi -modal survey was conducted among 400 residents (132 by telephone and 268 online ). Interviews were conducted with respondents on both landline and mobile phones with Spanish and Armenian translation available if necessary. For the online survey phase, the Consultant invited participation via email and text message. Security measures precluded individuals from completing the survey more than once and allowed only the designated resident to complete the survey. The survey results were published on the project website.
On March 13, 2022 , the Department hosted an In-Person Community Pop-Up Event at Johnny Carson Park with over 300 registered participants. This pop-up event provided an opportunity to solicit ideas and feedback from community members. The Department used the Consultant’s prepared project graphics, survey links, and the project website to bring awareness to the project and to register participant s for the Ma rch 16, 2022 In- Person Community Design Charrette Workshop.
On March 16, 2022, the Consultant conducted an In-Person Community Design Charrette Workshop with support from City Staff. There were 61 community members in attendance, including 14 youth (age 5-11). The workshop included a presentation by the Consultant about the purpose of the project, background, research conducted, project timeline, and outreach results to date. Concluding the presentation, a park site tour was conducted allowing participants to get a better understanding of the Park condition including amenities and facilities that make up the Park.
Thereafter, participants were divided into five (5) adult groups and two (2) youth groups to design their ideal Park using site plans, design amenity templates, markers, and other tools. At the conclusion of the workshop, each group presented their plans. Consensus items among the groups were discussed.
Following the Community Design Charrette Workshop, each Group Plan was developed into a Bubble Group Plan utilizing like colors to rep resent the same amenity or facility type. Each Bubble Group Plan was laid one on top of another representing a master Composite Plan. The Composite Plan was utilized by the Consultant to develop a clear and concise Consensus Plan that represented where a t least two like amenities or facilities existed in generally the same location. The Consensus Plan was made available
4 on the project website, along with the results of the Community Design Charrette Workshop including the Group Plans, Bubble Group Plans, and Composite Plan.
The Consultant then prepared the Initial Conceptual Park Master Plan (Attachment 1) Illustrative Bubble Diagram. This plan represents the Consensus Plan items identified during the Community Design Charrette Workshop as well as consensus feedback heard throughout the community engagement process.
The next community outreach opportunity included an In-Person Community Presentation and Feedback Workshop. The workshop was hosted at the Olive Recreation Center on April 28, 2022 with 66 participants in attendance. After the presentation, t he community was invited to review the site analysis exhibits, Group Plans, Bubble Plans, Composite Plan, Consensus Plan, and Initial Conceptual Park Master Plan Illustrative Bubble Diagram Plan. Pos t-It-Notes and comment cards were provided to participants, allowing them another opportunity to share feedback . These comments were collected for inclusion in the final community voice summary of the Master Plan process. A high- quality video was produced by the Department memorializing the project milestones and posted on the project website.
At the conclusion of the Feedback Workshop, all community input gathered during the public engagement process was synthesized into a Top Needs chart representing th e community voice. Top Needs identified are listed in the table below:
TOP NEEDS
Art Center Benches Biking Drinking
Fountains
Exercise
Stations
Expansion Inclusive of
Special Needs
Programming
Landscape Lighting Little Theater
Maintenance Modernize Open Space Parking Pedestrian
Pathways
Pickleball Picnic Areas Playground
Renovation
Recreation
Center
Recreation
Class/Program
Renovate
Buildings
Restrooms Safety Seating Streetscapes
Sports Tables Trash Trees / Shade Variety of
Activities
Walking Wayfinding
Signage
Top Needs represent feedback collected from the three (3) community outreach methods; small group (stakeholder interviews), public/community (online surveys, feedback comments, and workshops) and surveys (multi-modal community survey).
Based on the Top Needs identified in the community voice, a Refined Park Master Plan was prepared. Key Strategies were developed based on the Top Needs representing
5 recommendation goals for future Park improvements. An Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate (Attachment 2) was developed based on the Refined Park Master Plan.
A final Master Plan Report (Attachment 3) was prepared incorporating all background research, community input results, outreach efforts, plans prepared, estimates, key strategies, and recommendations. Detailed recommendations outline how future phasing improvements may be addressed at the Park, hardscape versus softscape comparisons, parking analysis, and building feasibility study recommendations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Based on the Conceptual Master Plan, an Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate has been prepared to identify the potential costs of improvements. Further design development studies will need to be conducted to confirm the estimated quantities as it relates to all items, in particular trees, utilities, building square footages, and phasing opportunities. As additional studies are performed, the preliminary cost estimate may be more accurately updated. It is important to note, that o ver the last 18 months (December 2020 to May 2022), the construction industry has seen a 17% increase in costs. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Department to prepare design development and construction document plans that can be more accurately estimated at a time more closely related to actual construction.
With a limited annual budget, the Department will seek creative opportunities to fund the Master Plan . The Master Plan provides the framework to strategically pursue several grant opportunities to secure funding for ongoing maintenance, major renovations, and new capital projects.
CONCLUSION
The George Izay Park Public Engagement and Conceptual Park Master Plan process was developed in close partnership with community and stakeholders who provided invaluable input at each critical stage of en gagement. The Department is proud to have solicited the input of community members, park users, and Burbank enthusiasts who expressed their ideas and concerns through the workshops, online surveys, city -wide surveys, and stakeholder interviews . The Park Master Plan reflects the needs, values, priorities, and the community voice of the City of Burbank.
The City of Burbank Parks and Recreation Department will use the George Izay Park Master Plan to inform and prioritize future improvements to the Park and its amenities, facilities, and buildings.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1- George Izay Park Conceptual Master Plan
Attachment 2- Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate
Attachment 3- George Izay Park Master Plan Report