Agenda Item No. 8
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: June 23, 2025 FROM: Matthew Bronson City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kristin Eriksson, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: 2025 Summer Events Update
RECOMMENDATION
Receive information about upcoming 2025 special events in the city taking place primarily at 16th Street Park given construction at Ramona Garden Park.
BACKGROUND
Throughout the year, the City provides fun family-friendly events to bring the community together and provide entertainment for residents and visitors. Many of the events typically occur during the summer at Ramona Garden Park, located at the city center with a large event lawn area. However, summer events this year will not be held at the park as the City has begun construction on the Ramona Garden Park Rehabilitation project, which will install a new inclusive playground, new restrooms, a concert amphitheater with a bandshell and seating at the park.
This $4 million project is largely funded by 2023 Community Development Block Grant funding with a remaining funding gap of approximately $450,000. The City is working with the Grover Beach Community Foundation on a donation program to raise money to close this funding gap.
Those who wish to support the project and make a lasting contribution to the community may purchase commemorative bricks, which will be placed around the playground area, as well as sponsoring park benches and tables. Additionally, there is an opportunity to secure bandshell naming rights for 20 years with a larger donation. Information about the program may be found at www.groverbeachcf.org. The park rehabilitation project is anticipated to be completed by mid2026 and will enhance the park and the City’s events held there.
For this summer, the City will continue with a robust program of events at other locations primarily 16th Street Park. The City hosted a Summer Game Night on June 13 at the Grover Beach Community Center and a Movie in the Park featuring “The Goonies” on June 20 at 16th Street Park. Additionally, the community can enjoy numerous other events this summer including:
• Summer Concert Series July 13-August 17– Every Sunday from 3-6pm with food, beverage and craft vendors beginning at 2pm at 16th Street Park • Grover Beach Night Out July 26 – 5pm at 16th Street Park featuring music, food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, a pinewood derby race and a spectacular drone light show • Stone Soup Music Festival August 23-24– Annual music and street festival put on by the Clark Center on 9th Street and Ramona with 12 bands, 2 stages, a kid zone and food, beverage and craft vendors
• Movie in the Park September 5– 5pm at 16th Street Park featuring “A Minecraft Movie” Staff Report: 2025 Summer Events Update Page 2
June 23, 2025
• Grover Beach Dune Run 5K Fun Run September 14—Fun run at the Beach Plaza at the end of West Grand Avenue with an entry fee of $30 for early registrants who register between July 15 and September 5.
The City looks forward to welcoming the community to these events throughout the summer with plans to host even more exciting events after the completion of Ramona Garden Park in 2026.
Information about City events may be found on the Community Services webpage at https://groverbeach.org/141/Community-Services.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1) Receive a presentation on 2025 Summer Events; or
2) Provide alternative direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.