FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 4, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Interim City Manager Alex Posada
BY: Interim Recreation and Parks Director Angela Oslund
SUBJECT: Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment 2024
Description:
The City Council will receive a presentation of the 2024 Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment to gain a better understanding of the current general condition of the park system along with its current and future needs.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and file the 2024 Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment; and
2. Provide staff with direction on the consideration of possible funding alternatives for an all-City Park fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Recreation and Park system for the City of Santa Maria consists of 28 parks, a variety of multi-purpose trails, plazas, a riverbed, and a unique ranch property outside of the City limits containing a wide variety of plants, wildlife, and nature trails. In addition to the vast acreage of the park system, it contains play equipment, sports courts and fields, restroom facilities, and various buildings. Due to the ongoing need for maintenance and to meet the ongoing and upcoming recreational needs of the residents and guests of the City of Santa Maria, it is necessary to regularly perform an assessment of the park system to determine the short and long-term needs of the city including planning, budgeting, and ongoing operations. The 2024 Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment is the document intended to meet this need by examining the entire park system and assigning an objective rating system for overall condition.
DISCUSSION:
The 2024 Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment uses a standardized approach to provide detailed insight into the overall condition of the park system. This document will be vital in short and long -range planning to ensure that any current areas of deficiency are addressed on a short -term basis, while issues that are not immediately due for correction or upgrade can be studied, projected into future budgets, and implemented into medium and long -range planning cycles. The Assessment a lso provides a snapshot in 2 time so that as the City of Santa Maria grows in population, previous assessments can be used to measure progress and identify trends for future needs.
The 2024 Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment was first presented to the Recreation and Parks Commission on November 14, 2023. It was brought back to the Recreation and Parks Commission on February 13, 2024 , where the commission approved the Assessment, and voted to refer the document to the City Council for further discussion.
Fiscal Considerations
There are a variety of recommendations contained within the document that estimate costs associated with the maintenance and improvements identified according to the timeframe recommended.
Impact to the Community
The Citywide Parks Assessment is expected to have a long-term benefit to the community by providing an in-depth and site-specific evaluation of the park system. Through an in - depth assessment of these sites and amenities, the Recreation and Parks Departmen t, Recreation and Parks Commission , and Santa Maria City Council will have the information necessary to set short and long -term goals in terms of budgeting, planning, and implementation of repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and potential expansion of our park system resulting in increased and improved recreational activities for residents and guests of the City of Santa Maria.
Attachment A- 2024 Santa Maria Citywide Parks Assessment