February 3,2026
City Council
DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Subject:
Cheese Park (La Moine Park) Improvements—
Permanent Restrooms, Drinking Fountain, Playground
Safety, Toddler-Area Fencing, Children’s Bike Garden,
and Completion of Volunteer-Led Repainting
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Developing the proposed scope and funding strategy will involve staff time and coordination across departments.
While no immediate costs or budget changes are
anticipated, future improvements will require City Council review and approval of funding sources before
implementation.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Cheese Park (La Moine Park) is the only community park
in Richmond east of I-80 and serves more than fifteen
thousand (12,000) residents. The park is a vital gathering place for families, children, seniors, and community
groups. Residents have raised longstanding concerns
regarding the lack of permanent restroom facilities,
absence of a drinking water fountain, and the need to
restore and ensure the safety of the play structure.
In addition, volunteer residents have initiated repainting and park improvement efforts using their own funds and
labor. The City has an opportunity to support this
community stewardship by completing and sustaining
these improvements.
Residents have also raised safety concerns about the
toddler play area and the need for fencing to reduce the AGENDA
REPORT
February 3,2026
risk of small children wandering beyond the play area.
Community members have reported wildlife activity in the vicinity, including a mountain lion sighting, underscoring the need for clear safety boundaries and improved park
design.
Finally, the community has expressed interest in adding a children’s bike garden (skills course) to promote safe bike riding habits. Examples and concepts are attached, and
collaboration with local nonprofit organizations such as Bike East Bay could support design, programming, and
safety education.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to DIRECT City staff to prepare a
comprehensive work plan for improvements at Cheese
Park (La Moine Park), including permanent restrooms, a
drinking water fountain, playground restoration, safety fencing around the toddler area, completion of repainting started by volunteers, and the design of a children’s bike garden in collaboration with community partners such as Bike East Bay; and identify feasible funding sources in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–27 Capital Improvement Program
and operating budget process - Councilmember Soheila
Bana (510-672-3490) and Councilmember Claudia
Jimenez (510-620-6565).
DISCUSSION:
Cheese Park (La Moine Park) is the only community park in Richmond east of I-80 and serves more than fifteen thousand (12,000) residents. The park is a vital gathering place for families, children, seniors, and community groups. Residents have raised longstanding concerns regarding the lack of permanent restroom facilities, absence of a drinking water fountain, and the need to restore and ensure the safety of the play structure.
In addition, volunteer residents have initiated repainting and park improvement efforts using their own funds and labor. The City has an opportunity to support this community stewardship by completing and sustaining these improvements.
Residents have also raised safety concerns about the toddler play area and the need for fencing to reduce the risk of small children wandering beyond the play area.
Community members have reported wildlife activity in the vicinity, including a mountain lion sighting, underscoring the need for clear safety boundaries and improved park design.
February 3,2026
Finally, the community has expressed interest in adding a children’s bike garden (skills course) to promote safe bike riding habits. Examples and concepts are attached, and collaboration with local nonprofit organizations such as Bike East Bay could support design, programming, and safety education.
If adopted, the resolution would direct staff to prepare a comprehensive work plan that improves basic amenities, safety, and equitable access to a key community park.
The work plan elements requested include:
Permanent restroom facilities (replacing reliance on temporary units), including ADA accessibility
Drinking water fountain (preferably with bottle-filler) Play structure restoration to ensure child safety and code compliance Safety fencing around the toddler area to improve child safety and address community concerns, including wildlife activity
Completion of repainting and finishing work initiated by volunteer residents, with appropriate surface preparation and durable materials
Children’s bike garden in collaboration with partners such as Bike East Bay, using attached examples to support safe riding skills and education
City staff would also be directed to identify feasible funding sources through consideration as part of the FY 2026–27 Capital Improvement Program and operating budget process.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution for Cheese Park (La Moine Park) Improvements Attachment 2 – Rainbow Streetscape Map Children’s Bike Garden Examples / Concepts (provided by Dani Lanis, Bike East Bay)
Attachment 3 – Rainbow and Clover Children’s Bike Garden Examples / Concepts (provided by Dani Lanis, Bike East Bay
Attachment 4 – Photos of current conditions / volunteer repainting work