Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 6.1. 11/15/2022 File #: 22-0572
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Leslie Hardy, Community Services Director
1. SUBJECT
Grijalva Park Skatepark Project Update.
2. SUMMARY
At the September 2022 City Council Meeting, staff presented an update on the Grijalva Park Masterplan, which included current status updates from the various community groups. Council requested staff to return with more information regarding the steps that would be required to move the skatepark project of the Masterplan forward, including environmental review, conceptual design, and potential funding sources.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Provide direction to staff on the skatepark project at Grijalva Park.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community a: Renovate, maintain, develop, and/or expand public use places and spaces.
Goal 3: Enhance and promote quality of life in the community b: Deliver high quality and safe recreational, social, environmental, educational and cultural services.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Background
The City owns 42 acres of land known as Grijalva Park at Santiago Creek. The land is located in the northwest corner of the intersection of Prospect Street and Spring Street with the Santiago Creek forming the western edge of the property. The first 15 acres were developed into a park with lighted soccer fields in 2002. A conceptual Master Plan was finalized in 2005 for the western 27 acres, commonly referred to as the “Grijalva Park Extension” (Attachment 1).
At the September 2022 City Council meeting, staff presented an update on the Grijalva Park Masterplan, which included a review of the 2019 updated Master Plan (Attachment 2) and the presentation of another potential version of the Master Plan (2022 version) which removed the aquatic center, relocated the library/senior center south of the Sports Center, and moved the skatepark (11,500 square feet) where the aquatic center had been previously located, outside of the landfill footprint (Attachment 3). Each of the active community groups provided an update regarding City of Orange Printed on 11/10/2022Page 1 of 3
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Item #: 6.1. 11/15/2022 File #: 22-0572
landfill footprint (Attachment 3). Each of the active community groups provided an update regarding the current status of their corresponding project and fund-raising efforts. As such, the skate park representative, Contenders Board Shop (Contenders) shared since becoming involved in 2019, they have raised approximately $28,000 towards the skate park project primarily through setting aside $5 from every shoe sale, online and in store.
Considering the design and construction of the skatepark would take place on a similar footprint as planned for in the 2005 Master Plan, and the overall cost for the skatepark project is less than the cost of the other facilities, Council requested that staff return with more information regarding the steps that would be required if the direction was to move forward with the skatepark portion of the Masterplan, with the intent to receive an update regarding the entirety of the Grijalva Park Masterplan at a later date.
Environmental Impact Review and Conceptual Design
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) No. 1753-05 of the Grijalva Park Extension Masterplan was approved in 2005 and included a 10,000 square foot skatepark built over the existing landfill. Staff reviewed the 2005 MND for the Grijalva Park Masterplan with the City Attorney’soffice. Considering the slight change in skatepark location and size, the City Attorney’s Office found the differences in lighting, noise, traffic, parking, and operations minimal and insignificant and, therefore, do not merit any additional formal environmental analysis or technical memo.
In addition, Contenders has shared a potential conceptual design of a 10,000 square foot skate park (Attachment 4).
Costs and Funding
In 2022, MIG Landscape Architects (MIG) provided an updated Opinion of Probable Costs for the entire Grijalva Park Master Plan Update. The total cost for an 11,500 square foot skate park at $80/sf and a 4-stall prefabricated restroom is estimated to be $1,389,960. It is estimated that design services could cost between $100,000-$140,000.
Staff have researched several state and federal grant funding opportunities. It was determined that the skatepark project was ineligible for these grants for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, inadequate population limits, this type of project does not align with grant requirements, and/or it does not meet income levels. Now that the City has an approved agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, staff will engage them to continue to identify and pursue other potential grant funding opportunities.
Considerations
Development of the skatepark and its adjacent amenities from the original masterplan, including a prefabricated restroom and seating, should consider the possibility that additional environmental review could be required depending on funding sources (such as a National Environmental Protection Act review required when federal funding is involved). In addition, planning for the site should consider existing programing at the site, which currently includes field and facility rentals, open gym, special events, and general park use.
Next Steps
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council regarding the skatepark project.
With Council’sapproval, the skatepark project could move forward as shown on the 2019 or 2022 City of Orange Printed on 11/10/2022Page 2 of 3
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Item #: 6.1. 11/15/2022 File #: 22-0572
With Council’sapproval, the skatepark project could move forward as shown on the 2019 or 2022 Alternative Grijalva Park Masterplan. Proceeding with building a skatepark consistent with the 2019 Masterplan would locate the amenity on top of the landfill. Building at this location could require additional design and/or geotechnical investigation to conduct soil testing. Conversely, proceeding with building the skatepark as shown in the 2022 Masterplan, outside of the perimeter of the landfill, would acknowledge that the area over the landfill could then only be used for limited surface amenities, such as parking.
The Council approved the Department’s FY23 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes $100,000 allocated for the Grijalva Park Masterplan funded out of Park Acquisition (Infill), which could be used towards design services and/or any geotechnical investigation needed. Funding for construction will also need to be identified. Future fiscal impacts for amenities such as utilities, parking, hardscape, landscape, as well as operations and maintenance, will be determined based on City Council input and direction.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· Attachment 1 - 2005 Grijalva Park Masterplan
· Attachment 2 - 2019 Updated Grijalva Park Masterplan
· Attachment 3 - 2022 Alternative Grijalva Park Masterplan · Attachment 4 - Skatepark Potential Conceptual Design
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