Memorial Park Redevelopment
and Expansion Project
City Council Presentation
January 27, 2026
Agenda Item 11.D
Item 11-D
January 27, 2026
Item 11-D
January 27, 2026
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution certifying the attached Environmental Impact Report for the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project;
2. Adopt mitigation measures set forth in the Environmental Impact Report; and
3. Approve the revised plan and direct staff to proceed with design development and construction documents for Phases 1 and 2 of the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project.
• As an alternative action, direct staff to eliminate elevated pickleball/tennis courts and associated structure from the proposed Revised Plan, proceed with on-grade courts in place of future Field 5, and consider incorporating the future Field 5 development as part of the Airport Conversion Project.
Item 11-D
January 27, 2026
Item 11-D
January 27, 2026
City Council Presentation
• Project Background
• Memorial Park Master Plan
• Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)
• Design Process
• Environmental Review
• Construction Budgets
• Alternative Actions
• Proposed Revised Plan
• Next Steps
Item 11-D
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Item 11-D
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Project Background
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Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project
1997: Parks and Recreation Master
Plan established need to expand and
redefine park
2004: City purchased Former Fisher
Lumber site with intent to expand
Memorial Park
2005: PLD relocation to Fisher
Lumber site (interim)
2016: Incorporated into Parks Needs
Assessment as a high priority project
2016: Voters approved Measure V
providing up to $20M from SMC
Oct 2019: Council approved Master
Plan for Memorial Park
redevelopment and expansion
2020: Project suspended due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
Sept 2022: Council approved Project
restart with reduced initial phase
Aug 2024: SWA Group awarded
design contract for Phases 0, 1, 2
Mar 2025: Project kickoff
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Item 11-D
January 27, 2026
Phase 0 - Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) Early Conceptual Park Layout Options
SWIP is a critical component of the City’s water sustainability strategy.
Phase 0 involves designing an underground storm water capture and reuse and/or infiltration system with a maximum capacity of 3 million gallons (3 MG).
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Item 11-D
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Design Process
Phases 0, 1, 2
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Project Team
City Team Public Works, Recreation and Arts, Department of Transportation, Community Development, Fire
Design Team SWA Group (lead), Lever, Tetratech, Lloyd Consulting Group, KPFF, P2S, Fehr & Peers, Carlberg Associates, Sweeney, Cumming Group Survey Psomas
Geotechnical Smith-Emery Laboratories
Environmental WSP
Meetings & Presentations
Public Meetings
& Presentations
Recreation and Parks Commission, Urban Forest Task Force, Field Sports Advisory Council, Mid City Neighbors, Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment Stakeholder
Meetings
Santa Monica College, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Metro, Recreation and Parks Commission Ad Hoc
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Master Plan Objectives
• Maximize fields with a focus on diamond sports;
• Consider community programs such as the Police
Activities League (PAL), gymnasium, and fitness facilities; • Integrate the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plans; • Integrate appropriate buffering along busy streets;
• Consider the park’s relationship to the surrounding
neighborhood and City context.
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Additional Items for Design Considerations (2019):
1. Incorporation of a premier California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) baseball field;
2. Incorporation of a NCAA tournament level softball field;
3. Inclusion of elements such as bullpens, warm up areas, dugouts, seating, public address systems, and score booths at all fields;
4. Incorporation of an off-leash dog run;
5. Clustering the proposed outdoor fitness equipment in groupings;
6. Incorporating shade for the playground;
7. Consider the possible access from the Expo station and whether rotating fields 3 and 4 might provide an opportunity for permeability and entry for Expo pedestrian traffic;
8. Consider making the entrance on 14th Street, where the drop-off is located to make more of a pedestrian experience;
9. Consider making area designated as field #5 (masterplan phase 2) more flexible to include passive recreational use prior to construction of masterplan phase 2;
10. Consider the addition of more community amenities, including barbecue grills;
11. Study the possibility of closing all or additional portions of 16th Street and expanding the park into that space;
12. Analyze and document the parking loss impacts on 16th Street;
13. Analyzing the tree canopy, relocating existing trees, and planting new trees where possible;
14. Examining aspects of sun & shade affecting players’ vision in determining positioning of fields;
15. Conducting further analysis of natural turf vs. synthetic turf; SEE: Staff Report
Attachment A
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Schematic Design Process
Project Initiation – Spring 2025
Project Kick-off, Existing Data/Conditions Analysis, Site Inspection, Schedule Coordination, Survey, Geotech, Preparation of Base Map, Permits & Approvals Design Alternatives – Summer/Fall 2025
Develop design alternatives, develop and refine one Schematic Design based on feedback and coordination
Schematic Design – Fall/Winter 2025/26
Present proposed Revised Plan to RPC and City Council for input to be considered in Design Development
SEE: Staff Report
Attachments B & C
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Environmental Review
In accordance with CEQA, an Environmental Impact Report was prepared to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the project
February 27, 2025
Notice of Preparation
March 12, 2025
Scoping Meeting
September 19, 2025
Public Draft EIR
January 2026
Final EIR Certification/
Project Approval
SEE: Staff Report
Attachments P, Q & R
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Environmental Review
• Focused analysis on:
Air Quality
Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• EIR determined there would be no significant environmental effects • Analyzed 3 alternatives
Alternative 1 – No Project Alternative
Alternative 2 – Real Grass Turf Fields
Alternative 3 – Reduced Development Alternative
SEE: Staff Report
Attachments P, Q & R
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Construction Budgets
Preliminary cost estimates for Phases 1 and 2 based on the proposed Revised Plan and additional design phase input indicate higher construction costs. *Of the $2.75 million allocated from the
$20 million SMC bond measure funds for
phase 1 design and pre-construction
services, staff expect to use only $2 million,
preserving $18 million for construction.
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Pursuing Grant Funding
ORLP = Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
Measure W = Safe Clean Water Program
LWCF = Land and Water Conservation Fund
Measure A = Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure Competitive Grant Program Spring 2026 Summer 2026 Fall 2026 (Updates per grantor) Item 11-D
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Alternative Actions
Given the remaining shortfall, even if all grant funding were awarded, Council may also consider the following alternative actions:
• Direct staff to further reduce the scope of work for each phase to align with current construction budgets.
This approach is not recommended, as further scope reductions could result in unresolved issues at the site until future phases are implemented.
• Direct staff to update construction budgets as necessary and delay project implementation until additional funding is secured. This approach is not recommended, as construction costs would continue to rise during the delay, increasing the overall project expense. • Eliminate elevated pickleball/tennis courts and associated structure from the proposed Revised Plan, proceed with on-grade courts in place of future Field 5, and consider incorporating the future Field 5 development as part of the Airport Conversion Project. This approach is recommended to bring the project closer to the current total construction budget of $40 million for phases 1 and 2. This alternative would maintain six total fields at Memorial Park while increasing overall playability with the addition of the combo fields. Recognizing the master plan’s objective to add a seventh field at Memorial Park, this alternative includes consideration of incorporating the future Field 5 development into the Airport Conversion Project.
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DRAFT
If directed to proceed
with on-grade courts:
1. Prioritize evaluating
on-grade courts at the
future Field 5 location.
2. If challenges or
opportunities warrant
further consideration of
alternatives, then other
potential locations
would be assessed.
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DRAFT
If directed to proceed
with on-grade courts:
1. Prioritize evaluating
on-grade courts at the
future Field 5 location.
2. If challenges or
opportunities warrant
further consideration of
alternatives, then other
potential locations
would be assessed.
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Addt’l Design – Up to 4 months
Schematic Design – Jan 2026
Present proposed Revised Plan to City Council.
Design Alternatives – Up to 2 months
Value engineering and identifying design alternatives based on approved Revised Plan and Council direction to proceed with on-grade tennis/pickleball courts in place of future Field 5.
Schematic Design – Up to 2 months
Develop, refine, and finalize layout based on feedback
from interdepartmental group (PW, RAD, DOT, CDD, Fire).
PENDING COUNCIL
DIRECTION
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Proposed
Revised Plan
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ACTIVE LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY GATHERING MOBILITY CONNECTIONS Item 11-D
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Original vs. Proposed Revised Plan DRAFT
Master Plan Future Phases
Reduce number of
driveways
Incorporate
dog run
Shift structure
east
Reposition future
field 5
Preserve angled
parking
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DRAFT
Revised Plan Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Item 11-D
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DRAFT
Note: Ball field
layout within ROW
requires summary
vacation.
Revised Plan Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Item 11-D
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DRAFT
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Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Dog Run DRAFT
Revised Plan
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DRAFT
Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Tennis/Pickleball Courts – Phase 1
Revised Plan
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DRAFT
Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Courts & Community Hub – Phase 2
Revised Plan
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DRAFT
Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Community Hub – Phase 2
Revised Plan
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Tree Strategy
• Trees to Protect-in-place
or Relocate: 14
• Trees to Remove: 82
• Proposed New Trees: 110
• Restitution Trees
to Replant (36” box): 423
*14 Prop ose d Na tive
Tre e s a long
C olora d o w ill b e
w ithin Pa rk Prop e rty
DRAFT
Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Note: Tree Counts are subject
to change as design progresses
through design development
(coordination with utilities,
planting, equipment, etc.).
Revised Plan
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Proposed Trees DRAFT
Revised Plan Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Item 11-D
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DRAFT
Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Colorado Ave
Existing Section Master Plan Section
Revised Plan Section Revised Plan at Colorado Ave
Revised Plan
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DRAFT
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Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability 14th Street DRAFT
Existing Section Master Plan Section
Revised Plan Section Revised Plan at 14th Street
Revised Plan
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Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability 16th Street DRAFT
Existing Section Master Plan Section
Revised Plan Section Revised Plan at 16th Street
Revised Plan
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DRAFT
Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Note: Parking Counts are
subject to change as design
progresses through design
development (coordination
with utilities, planting,
equipment, etc.).
Existing
Parking Counts:
Off-site (Street): 105
On-site (PLD & Park): 107
Total: 212
Parking Strategy
Revised Plan Phase 1 & 2
Parking Counts:
Off-site (Street): 77
On-site (Park): 142
Total: 219
Revised Plan
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SITES/LEED Preliminary Assessment
• Park Project
• Appears to meet prerequisites for SITES Certification • Certification level goal: Gold
• Analysis to be completed during Design Development
as we refine the design
• Community Hub Building
• Appears to be eligible for LEED certification
• Analysis to be completed during Design Development
as we refine the design
DRAFT
Revised Plan Sports Fields Tennis/Pickleball Courts Community Hub and Amenities Tree Canopy Mobility and Streetscape Improvements Parking Sustainability Item 11-D
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Next Steps
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Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution certifying the attached Environmental Impact Report for the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project;
2. Adopt mitigation measures set forth in the Environmental Impact Report; and
3. Approve the revised plan and direct staff to proceed with design development and construction documents for Phases 1 and 2 of the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project.
• As an alternative action, direct staff to eliminate elevated pickleball/tennis courts and associated structure from the proposed Revised Plan, proceed with on-grade courts in place of future Field 5, and consider incorporating the future Field 5 development as part of the Airport Conversion Project.
Item 11-D
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Anticipated Project Schedule
• Proceed with alternatives assessment, followed by final design • Plan for construction, including accommodating displaced programming • Continue community/stakeholder engagement
• Council – Spring 2026
• Request adoption of a resolution for the summary vacation of 16th Street • Provide an update on the development of fiscal and use agreements • Final construction scope and funding strategy based on available resources • Projected ongoing operations and maintenance costs associated w/Phases 1 and 2 • Complete Design Phase – Summer 2026 Fall/Winter 2026
• Complete Bidding – Fall 2026 Winter/Spring 2027
• Begin Construction Phase – Winter 2026/2027 Spring/Summer 2027 (Contingent on available construction funding)
PENDING COUNCIL
DIRECTION
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Thank You
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