TO: Chair and Members of the Park Planning & Community Events Commission
THRU: Leslie Hardy, Community and Library Services Director
FROM: Robert Ambriz, Jr., Parks and Facilities Manager
1. Subject
title
Capital Improvement Project Planning for Fiscal Year 2027-28
body
2. Summary
Potential park capital improvement projects for consideration for Fiscal Year 2027-28.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Review and recommend to the City Council the proposed Fiscal Year 2027-28 collective list of potential park capital improvement projects as presented by staff.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance Quality of Life Through City Services
6. Discussion and Background
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning tool used by each Department to determine future project needs and identify necessary improvements within the community. Unless indicated otherwise, Community and Library Services capital improvement park projects are funded through the Park Acquisition (510) fund (Park Development fees) and not the General Fund.
Fiscal Year 2027-28 CIP Planning
Fiscal Year 2027-28 (FY28) projects listed below include Capital Improvement Projects previously approved by City Council, projects that have been approved but require additional funding, deferred maintenance, and continuation projects. Given the City’s current operating budget constraints and the inability of the Department’s operating budget to absorb large, deferred maintenance projects, some deferred maintenance has been included within the list of potential FY28 CIP projects. The Commission is being asked to review and recommend the collective list of projects.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) Current CIP Projects
The table below is a list of the current FY27 CIP projects, along with the status of each project. Unless completed by June 2027, these projects are anticipated to be carried over to next Fiscal Year (FY28), with no additional funding being requested at this time.
|
Project |
Status |
Budget |
|
Grijalva Park Masterplan Update |
Work in progress with Kimley Horne to re-conceptualize the remaining undeveloped acres of Grijalva Park to understand what will feasibly fit within the allowable open space. |
$100,000 |
|
El Modena Basin Area Improvements |
Staff received contractor proposals for design in June 2026. Project review committee has evaluated and scored the proposals received. Staff is preparing to present a contract award for design to the City Council for consideration and approval this fall. |
$230,000 |
|
Olive Ballfield Netting |
Completion anticipated by Fall 2026. The project construction contract was awarded in an amount well below the available budget. |
$200,000 |
|
New Park in West Orange |
The project design consultant, MIG, has finalized the conceptual park design and will proceed with final park plans once 100% approved levee plans are provided by OC Public Works. The CEQA process for the project has been completed. The consultant is now coordinating with HUD regarding the required NEPA environmental review. |
$4,095,963 |
|
Skatepark at Grijalva Park |
In progress, construction has begun and completion is anticipated for Summer 2027. |
$2,818,527 |
|
El Modena Park Area Renovation |
Approximately $135,000 in the (512) El Modena Park Facility fund was used to pay for the completed design and associated pre-construction services. This project will be put out to bid for construction this fiscal year. |
$1,224,125 |
|
Parking Lot Pavement Rehabilitation |
Yorba Park and Steve Ambriz Memorial Park are scheduled for rehabilitation this fiscal year. Improvements will include pavement repairs, slurry seal, and restriping to protect the asphalt and extend the longevity of the parking lots. |
$75,000 |
|
Hart Park Diamond 1 Field Improvements |
Design plans are finalized; putting the project out to bid for construction is contingent upon agreement with Chapman University and Orange Lutheran High School. |
$250,000 |
|
Parks Master Plan |
This project will develop a comprehensive parks and recreation masterplan to determine long-term strategies that will guide how the City’s community parks and recreation facilities are developed, maintained, and optimized. Completion is anticipated for June 2028. |
$270,000 |
|
Hart Park Bandshell Renovation |
Anticipate putting out to bid for construction this fiscal year. |
$36,000 |
|
Rampart Street Park |
Staff received contractor proposals for design in June 2026. Project review committee has evaluated and scored the proposals received. Staff is preparing to present a contract award for design to the City Council for consideration and approval in the fall. |
$1,510,000 |
|
Park Restroom Interior Renovations |
Funding has been approved to complete restroom interior renovations at Hart and Santiago Hills parks. While that work is being completed, staff intend to have a gap year in FY28 and bring a similar request for restroom renovations at the next prioritized park in FY29. |
$280,000 |
|
Playground Equipment Replacement |
This is the FY27 segment of a recurring CIP project to replace aging playground equipment with safe, accessible, and engaging play environments. Per the Commission’s recommendation, the lower playground at Eisenhower Park will be replaced in FY27. |
$800,000 |
|
Sports Court Resurfacing |
This is the FY26 and FY27 segment of a recurring CIP project to resurface in-need sports courts at Hart and El Camino Real Parks (not including tennis courts at El Camino). Staff requests funds be programmed annually for sports court resurfacing at separate prioritized park sites. |
$65,000 |
|
Veterans Park Memorial Fountain Restoration |
Includes restoration of the existing fountain to restore fountain tiles and correct waterflow issues. |
$50,000 |
|
Santiago Creek Trail - Lodge Pole Fencing Replacement |
Project intends to replace 3,000 linear feet of deteriorating lodge pole fencing from S. Cambridge Street heading east to S. Tustin Street. |
$200,000 |
|
El Camino Sports Court Resurfacing and Conversion Project |
Standalone project is separated from annual/recurring sports court resurfacing project as this project also includes permanently converting 1 of the 6 tennis courts into 4 pickleball courts. |
$155,000 |
|
El Modena Park Upper Restroom Replacement |
Project description was established as a part of the most recent 5-Year CIP with the understanding that funding would be appropriated during a future budget cycle once (512) El Modena Park Facility fund balances accrue higher reserves. |
$0 |
Previously Approved Recurring Projects Requiring Additional Funding
Below is a list of recurring projects that will require additional funding each fiscal year.
• Sports Court Resurfacing (FY27-28): The City has 23 parks, several of which have sports courts. Parks with either tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and/or handball courts include Steve Ambriz, El Camino Real, Grijalva, Hart, Santiago Hills, and Serrano Parks. Court surfacing is specialized and requires maintenance on a regular schedule in order to maintain a safe playing surface. A typical maintenance schedule includes court resurfacing every 5 - 6 years. With a total of 11 sports courts, the court resurfacing program will resurface one or two courts annually based on priority of current conditions and cost. The next two sports courts most in need of resurfacing are the basketball courts at Santiago Hills and Serrano parks.
Annual Project budget: $65,000
• Playground Equipment Replacement (FY27-28): Park playground equipment typically has a useful life of 8-12 years, and several playgrounds throughout the City are reaching or have exceeded that timeframe. While staff routinely inspect and repair playgrounds to maintain safety, aging equipment is showing increased wear and becoming more costly to maintain. The Playground Equipment Replacement Project will provide a proactive, multi-year program to replace aging playgrounds with safe, accessible, modern, and engaging play environments, while incorporating improvements such as ADA upgrades and inclusive play features, pour-in-place rubberized surfacing, and shade sails where still needed. Staff anticipates replacing one to two playgrounds annually based on age and condition, with funding needs varying by playground. The Hart Park playground will be replaced in FY28, and this was the Commission’s second choice for FY27.
Project budget: $850,000
Proposed New Projects for FY28
Additionally, the Commission is hereby being asked to consider the following new potential park capital improvement projects for FY28.
• Grijalva Fitness Equipment Replacement - This project would replace the existing outdoor fitness equipment at Grijalva Park and replace the equipment’s surrounding decomposed granite (DG) with a concrete surface. The fitness equipment was installed in 2014 and is heavily utilized by the community. While staff routinely inspect and perform repairs to maintain safety and functionality, the equipment is experiencing increased wear and more frequent component failures, resulting in rising repair costs. The existing decomposed granite surfacing is also contributing to deterioration around the equipment bases caused by moisture build up in the DG, creating additional maintenance and stability concerns. Replacing the equipment and installing a concrete base would provide a more durable and secure installation, improve long-term stability, reduce maintenance issues, and provide a cleaner and more accessible surface.
Project budget: $750,000
• Santiago Creek Bike Trail Paving Rehabilitation: This project would rehabilitate the Santiago Creek Bike Trail from Cambridge Street to the Cannon Street Parking Lot by grinding high spots, filling cracks, applying slurry seal, and restriping the trail. The bike trail is a heavily used recreational asset for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users. Restoring the trail to high-quality condition will improve safety, extend the life of the existing pavement, and support continued community use for recreation and fitness. This project would incorporate the Asphalt Consulting Services for Bike Trails and Parking Lots inspection report prepared by Quality Engineering Solutions, Inc. for the FY24 CIP project, Resurfacing Bike Trails and Walking Paths.
Project budget: $200,000
• Basketball Post and Backboard Replacement: This project would replace aging and deteriorated basketball posts, backboards, and hoops at Grijalva, El Camino, Santiago Hills, Serrano, and Steve Ambriz parks. The existing concrete basketball posts have experienced deterioration, particularly near the base due to corrosion and age. While staff routinely inspect the posts and perform repairs to backboards and hoops, the condition of the existing posts and court equipment warrants complete replacement to address ongoing safety concerns. New basketball posts and equipment would be designed with corrosion-resistant materials and finishes to provide greater durability, reduce future maintenance needs, and extend the useful life of the basketball courts.
Project budget: $150,000
• Eisenhower Park Concrete Repair: This project would address approximately 1,638 square feet of damaged and deteriorated concrete walkways at three locations within Eisenhower Park. Scope of work would include removing the existing damaged concrete, preparing and compacting the underlying base as needed, installing new concrete, and restoring adjacent areas disturbed during construction. Replacement of deteriorated concrete is needed to address uneven surfaces and potential tripping hazards that could create safety issues for park visitors. Maintaining safe, accessible, and well-maintained pedestrian walkways is important to ensure park visitors can safely access and enjoy the park.
Project budget: $80,000
Funding is available in the Park Acquisition (510) fund (Park Development fees) to support the projects listed above.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• None.