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Report regarding Park Division projects at Orange Memorial Park. (Joshua Richardson, Parks Division Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission be apprised on the status of improvements at Orange Memorial Park.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Parks staff have been working diligently to prepare Orange Memorial Park over the past few months in an effort to complete much-needed updates to the park, but to also prepare for Concert in the Park and Festa Italiana. Additionally, staff have planned volunteer events and a maintenance schedule to have the park looking the best possible prior to September 12.
One impactful improvement to the park has been the painting of the Eucalyptus Picnic Shelter, which occurred in June. This painting was completed by a contractor and consisted of pressure washing the structure and then painting all surfaces to match the existing restroom and concession building color scheme. This painting project will allow staff to touch up areas as needed or if graffiti occurs, and gives the shelter a clean appearance that matches the rest of the park. Park staff also undertook the laborious task of refreshing the play structure near the meadow. This work was done with in-house staff who pressure washed the structure, sanded rust, primed and painted the entire structure to give it a fresh look and extend the structure’s life.
In addition to this work, staff have been replacing barbecue pits, removing three dead or near dead trees, and pruning the palms that run along both sides of the canal. Scheduled maintenance also includes weed abatement, turf top dressing, rolling to level the field, as well as refreshing of the synthetic sports field.
Most notably, the main restrooms that serve the ballfield are almost completed with the ongoing renovations. The restrooms have new FRP partitions, epoxy flooring, increased passive and active ventilation, lighting, and no touch features for the sinks, toilets, and urinals. The doors were also removed from the structure and replaced by gates that can be locked, and will help with the passive ventilation of the building. These restrooms will be completed just prior to the concert.
While staff have their work cut out for them, volunteers will also play a role in preparing the park. Maze Therapeutics, a company located on Oyster Point, will be volunteering on August 25 to plant and spread mulch behind the Eucalyptus Picnic Shelter. Improving Public Places Committee (IPP) members have been invited to participate in this event as well. It will serve to brighten the area which has been vacant for quite some time and be a welcoming experience for attendees. Additionally, IPP members will be volunteering for two smaller events to help clean up the park prior to Concert and Festa. This work will include litter/debris removal, trimming of plants, and general tidying of various areas around Orange Memorial Park.
CONCLUSION
Staff will continue to make improvements to Orange Memorial Park to complement the various capital projects that are occurring in the park and provide the residents with the nicest possible amenities. It must be noted that staff have been balancing these improvement projects with the daily demands of other sites and rental usage, as well numerous other events such as National Night Out, Touch-a-Truck, Fourth of July parade and various tabling events. The ability for staff to complete these projects while balancing the other needs of the City is a priority. In addition to the other residents volunteering to help in the park, the Commission is also invited to attend any of these future volunteer events, should they desire to do so.