STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC10
10/28/25
TN
Date: October 28, 2025
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Sonya Patterson, Director - Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Community Services Department
Subject:Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Avenue J Pocket Park Deed Restriction
Recommendation:
A.Approve a Deed Restriction for the park and open space improvements funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
B.Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the deed restriction and related documents, subject to City Attorney's review and approval.
G.C. Section 84308: N/A
Fiscal Impact:
There is no immediate impact to the general fund with these actions. However, the project does require a 50% match and the PARCS Department is actively seeking matching funds through grants.
Background:
The City of Lancaster's Parks, Arts, Recreation & Community Services (PARCS) Department has been awarded a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for the development of the Avenue J Pocket Park. The grant will reimburse the city up to 50% of the project's estimated total cost of $5,020,606. The PARCS Department is actively seeking additional grant funding to cover this required match.
The National Park Service (NPS) granted federal approval on July 22, 2025, which marks the start of the grant's performance period. The city will have until July 21, 2030, to complete the project and be eligible for reimbursement.
A key grant requirement is the execution and recording of a Deed Restriction on the property title.
This Deed Restriction will provide notice of the LWCF grant requirements and ensure the property 1 3
9 2
is maintained for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. This action is a standard requirement for LWCF grants and must be completed before any grant payments can be approved.
The Avenue J Pocket Park project includes the construction of a new 2.9-acre park featuring a drought-tolerant demonstration garden, a shaded playground, a pedestrian/bike lane with lighting and benches, a shaded plaza/picnic area, a fitness course with exercise stations, a shaded open space area, signage, perimeter fencing, and landscaping.
Attachment:
LWCF Deed Restriction
SP:AC