CITY OF GROVER BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 6
Placement: Business
Meeting Date: April 13, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Erin Wiggin, CIP Manager
SUBJECT: CIP 1259 Ramona Garden Park Improvement Project Update
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the Ramona Garden Park Improvement Project Phases 1 and 2 and provide input and direction to staff.
BACKGROUND
Overview
Ramona Garden Park (“Park”) is a multi-use park, bounded by North 9th and North 10th Streets on the west and east, and Ramona Avenue and Brighton Avenue on the south and north, respectively. The Park is the focal point for activities in Grover Beach and the South County, in general. Many public and private functions are held at the park such as the Stone Soup Music Festival and Street Fair and the City’s Summer Concert Series.
After a community outreach effort beginning in 2019, the Council adopted the Ramona Garden Park Master Plan (“Master Plan”) in November 2020, which provides a “road map” for the City to guide future park improvements over a multi-year period along with implementation and construction of these improvements. The Master Plan was refined with a consultant-led effort on the design and construction phasing of this project. The Master Plan is divided into four phases with Phase 1 being the playground and restroom while Phase 2 features the amphitheater and bandshell. Attachment 1 shows the project plan with Phases 1 and 2 outlined in red.
In March 2024, the City received approval for a 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $3,150,000 to fund Phases 1 and 2 of the project. The Council on December 9, 2024 received an initial update on the project prior to the start of construction and approved a Ramona Park Community Donation Policy shown in Attachment 2 to help provide additional funding for this project led by the Grover Beach Community Foundation (Foundation).
On April 14, 2025, the Council approved a construction contract for this project and construction started in June 2025. The Council received a subsequent update on the project on October 27, 2025 highlighting the initial construction activities, community donation program, and memorial plaques, benches, and trees.
Substantial construction activities have taken place since October include earthwork activities, grading, construction of concrete slabs and walkways, utility work, installation of the new restroom building, installation of the playground equipment and the surfacing, irrigation and landscaping, and construction of the bandshell. Weather permitting, project construction is expected to be Staff Report: CIP 1259 Ramona Garden Park Improvement Project Update Page 2 April 13, 2026
completed by the beginning of June to achieve the goal of allowing the Summer Concert Series to return to Ramona Garden Park beginning on June 28. Staff is also beginning to work on a ribbon-cutting event in June. Project updates continue to be provided on the City’s website.
Community Donation Program
Along with the CDBG funding, the City reported in October that funding from the Parks Construction Fund, Parks Development Impact Fee Fund (DIF), and Recreation DIF Fund was being used to fund this project for a total of $3.6 million in available project funding. Given that the total cost of the project is $4.1 million, there was a gap of approximately $450,000 to fully fund construction. The Council had previously authorized use of General Fund reserves to close this funding gap, however the Council also authorized the community donation program with the Foundation to help offset this cost as noted earlier.
In total, the Foundation sold 173 commemorative pavers along with two benches which generated $56,100 in net proceeds after the paver purchase. The City is also continuing to work with prospective donors on naming rights for the bandshell at the new amphitheater in the park for 25 years pursuant to the Community Donation Policy. Such naming rights would involve a significant donation for this notable sponsorship opportunity and staff will bring a naming rights agreement to the Council for approval if this donation is secured.
Memorial Plaques, Benches, and Trees
As shared with the Council in October, numerous plaques and benches were installed at Ramona Garden Park over many years by community members to recognize loved ones who passed. In addition, community members planted numerous trees at the park in various locations often as part of this recognition. The placement of these memorial plaques, benches, and trees at the park was raised with the Council and Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission (Commission) during the project design review as the Phases 1 and 2 improvements conflicted with the location of many of these memorial items. Transitioning these memorials to commemorative pavers in a walkway or a future memorial wall was recommended with Council and Commission concurrence at the time given the revised configuration and amenities of the park.
However, the Council in October directed staff to work with the six families affected to assist them with selecting new memorials to honor their loved ones in recognition of these past memorials.
Staff is working with these families on these memorial items for installation prior to the completion of the project and these items are estimated to cost a total of $7,500. These installations will be documented with agreements between the families and the City for accurate record-keeping.
FISCAL IMPACT
The CDBG program award provided $3,150,000 for the project with approximately $461,000 in additional funding allocated previously from the Parks Construction Fund, Parks DIF Fund, and Recreation DIF Fund for a total of approximately $3.6 million in available project funding. Given the $4.1 million total cost of the project, there has been a gap of approximately $450,000 to fully fund construction for which the Council had previously authorized use of General Fund reserves along with the community donation program to close this funding gap.
Throughout the project, staff has diligently managed change orders and adjusted project scope to help minimize costs which has now reduced the funding gap to approximately $360,000. Staff has also further reviewed DIF fund balances and based on current development activity, there is Staff Report: CIP 1259 Ramona Garden Park Improvement Project Update Page 3 April 13, 2026
sufficient DIF revenue to cover this remaining funding gap. As a result, General Fund reserves are not projected to be needed to fund project construction as revenue from the CDBG grant, development fees, and community donations should be sufficient barring any unforeseen project changes. Staff will recommend that the Council allocate an additional $156,418 from Fund 240 (Parks Construction) and $204,677 from Fund 256 (Parks DIF) to the project as part of the FY 2026-27 budget presented to the Council in June. The final accounting for this project will be completed once the project is finished.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Receive an update on the Ramona Garden Park Improvement Project Phases 1 and 2 and provide input and direction to staff; or
2. Provide alternative direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Project Site Map
2. Ramona Garden Park Community Donation Policy
Multi-Year Goals
☐ Public Safety and Community Services ☐ Economic Development and Housing ☒ Community Infrastructure ☐ Financial and Organization Sustainability Council Priorities
☐ Water & Wastewater Infrastructure ☐ Community Engagement Attachment 1
City of Grover Beach
Ramona Garden Park
Community Donation Policy
As Approved by City Council Resolution 24-58
Date:
December 9, 2024
Attachment 2
1 Table of Contents
SECTION 1 – OVERVIEW............................................................................................................2
1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................2
1.2 Administration of Policy.................................................................................................2
1.3 Role of the Grover Beach Community Foundation........................................................2 SECTION 2 – DONATIONS PROCESS.......................................................................................2
2.1 Donations Processing ...................................................................................................2
2.2 Accounting of Donations ...............................................................................................2 SECTION 3 – RECOGNITION ITEMS AND DONATION LEVELS ..............................................2
3.1 Donation Levels.............................................................................................................2
3.2 First-Come First-Served................................................................................................3
3.3 City Discretion and Approval for Recognition Items ......................................................3
3.4 Other Donations ............................................................................................................3 SECTION 4 – MAINTENANCE OF DONATED ITEMS ................................................................3
4.1 Amphitheater Bandshell Naming Rights......................................................................3
4.2 Picnic Tables and Benches...........................................................................................4
4.3 Bike Racks ....................................................................................................................4
4.4 City Website Acknowledgement....................................................................................4 SECTION 5 – LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................4 2 SECTION 1 – OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction
The purpose of this policy is to guide City staff, the Grover Beach Community Foundation and community members who wish to support the Ramona Garden Park Rehabilitation Project in managing donations for the project. The City values the support of the community and seeks to incentivize and acknowledge community generosity with appropriate recognition. The policy is intended to protect park resources and to assure the goals of Ramona Park Master Plan are adhered to.
Guidelines established by this policy will apply to all donations made after the effective date of this policy. Standards established by this policy will apply to purchased equipment, installation techniques, donation acknowledgements, and long-term care of all donations made after the adoption of this policy.
1.2 Administration of Policy
The City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Community Services Supervisor are authorized to administer and adjust this policy, including adjustment to the donation items and methods. Adjustments to the levels of acknowledgement and recognition requires City Council approval.
1.3 Role of the Grover Beach Community Foundation
The Grover Beach Community Foundation has partnered with the City to manage the Ramona Park Community Donation Program. The Foundation is authorized to accept donations on behalf of the City and to work with City staff to provide acknowledgements/recognition as specified by this policy.
SECTION 2 – DONATIONS PROCESS
2.1 Donations Processing
The Community Foundation will set up a webpage to process donations from the community. The Community Foundation will communicate with donors who will receive recognition items to coordinate language for plaques and/or pavers.
2.2 Accounting of Donations
All donations collected for this program will be placed in a designated account and will be tracked to ensure all donations are directly applied to the Ramona Garden Park Rehabilitation Project.
SECTION 3 – RECOGNITION ITEMS AND DONATION LEVELS
3.1 Donation Levels
The following are levels of donations under the Ramona Park Community Donation program and their respective recognition or items funded by each donation level. 3 Recognition Item Donation Level Number
Available
Picnic Tables $7,000 6
Park Benches $5,000 4
Bike Rack $3,000 1
Dedicated Pavers (Large – 8”x8”) $500
200
Dedicated Pavers (Small – 4”x8”) $250
Letter of Appreciation/Feature on Website $50 or more Unlimited
3.2 First-Come First-Served
Recognition items listed in Section 3.1 will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the time a donation is completed.
3.3 City Discretion and Approval for Recognition Items
3.3.1 – City Discretion. The City shall have sole discretion on the site placement, style and material of recognition items, in compliance with the Ramona Park Master Plan and design plans approved by the City Council.
3.3.2 – City Approval. Naming or other language featured on recognition items must receive prior approval from the City prior to installation to ensure it meets community standards and aligns with the park’s intended atmosphere. See Section 5 for language requirements.
3.4 Other Donations
3.2.1 - There may be additional donations of items possible other than those expressly listed or contained within this policy. The City may accept those donations subject to a review by the City Manager or designee. Additionally, the City may elect to seek additional donations to sponsor replacement recognition items after expiration of the maintenance period specified in Section 4.
3.2.2 – The City will accept donations in any amount, provided that they may not qualify for recognition as noted in Section 3.1.
SECTION 4 – MAINTENANCE OF DONATED ITEMS
4.1 Amphitheater Bandshell Naming Rights
The City may consider naming the amphitheater bandshell to be installed at Ramona Garden Park. Should the City approve naming the bandshell following a substantial donation, it shall remain for a period of twenty-five (25) years or the useful lifespan of the bandshell, whichever comes first.
4 4.2 Picnic Tables and Benches
Picnic tables and benches, along with the commemorative donor plaques, will be maintained by the City for ten (10) years or the useful lifespan of the items, whichever comes first. Upon removal of these items after this term, the City will contact the donor, if possible, to return plaques to the donor.
4.3 Bike Racks
Bike racks will be maintained by the City for ten (10) years or the useful lifespan of the item, whichever comes first.
4.4 City Website Acknowledgement
The City will maintain a list of donors on its website for a period of five (5) years.
SECTION 5 – LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Language and names applied to plaques and pavers listed in Section 3.1 must comply with the following:
• No profanity or derogatory language.
• Plaques should avoid language that may be offensive, divisive, or inflammatory. Words and phrases must be respectful and inclusive.
• Statements that advocate for specific political, religious, or social causes are not permitted. Dedications should reflect a positive and inclusive tone without specific ideological or religious language.
• Plaques should not include purely commercial content or advertisements. Recognition should be limited to the donor's name and, if appropriate, a brief dedication statement that aligns with the park's public mission.
• All language must comply with the text length determined by the City. • This list is not exhaustive and the City reserves the right to reject any language deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with community standards or the City’s desired atmosphere for City parks.