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 2026-27
body
2. Summary
Potential park capital improvement projects for consideration for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Provide input on the collective list of potential park capital improvement projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
end
4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life.
3.7: Continue to offer high quality and efficient, city led recreation programs.
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 Services capital improvement projects are funded through the Park Acquisition (510) fund (Park Development fees) and not the General Fund.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 CIP Planning
Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) projects listed below include Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) previously approved by City Council that require continual funding, as well as previous recommendations from Park Planning and Community Events Commission (Commission), deferred maintenance, and continuation projects. Given the City’s current operating budget deficit 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 FY27 CIP projects.
New major renovation projects are not included in the FY27 CIP list. As the City embarks on the upcoming Parks Master Plan process (a Fiscal Year 2025-26 approved project), the Commission, along with the community, will be providing input on needs, etc., which in turn will help identify larger park projects and renovations.
The Commission is being asked to review and provide input on the list presented below.
Previously Approved Projects Requiring Additional Funding
• Parking Lot Pavement Rehabilitation: As part of a multi-year parking lot pavement rehabilitation initiative to address various stages of degradation of park parking lots, successful pavement maintenance & renovation treatments have been completed at the following parking lots: Killefer, Eisenhower, El Camino, Olive, Grijalva, Shaffer, Handy, Fred Barrera, McPherson, Serrano, and Santiago Hills Park. The next parking lot location in need of rehabilitation is Steve Ambriz Memorial Park. After this parking lot is rehabilitated, the project will be complete. This project was approved as part of FY26 for FY27; however, the money had not been approved.
Project budget: $60,000 (Slurry Seal and Stripe)
• Park Restroom Interior Renovations: Nineteen of the City’s parks have restroom buildings. Many of these restrooms were last renovated 15 to 20 years ago and are in need of renovation to ensure the restrooms are functional and an inviting space for public use. This project will involve initial evaluation, design, and renovation of facilities that are past their useful life or are in need of an update in subsequent years. A specific scope will be developed for each restroom building depending on individual needs. This program looks to renovate restrooms at one park per fiscal year. The restrooms at Hart Park were included in FY26 CIP. Based upon site inspections and evaluations, the next restroom facility in need of rehabilitation is at Santiago Hills Park.
Project budget: $70,000
• Sports Court Resurfacing: The City has 22 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 five years. The oldest courts were last resurfaced in 2010, 2012, and 2014. With a total of 10 sports courts, the proposed court resurfacing program will resurface two courts annually based on priority of current conditions for the next 5 years. Estimates to resurface each sports court varies, so project budget will vary every fiscal year. The next two sports courts most in need of resurfacing are the volleyball courts and tennis courts at El Camino Real Park.
Project budget: $125,000
o Alternate option to El Camino Real Park Tennis Court Resurfacing
With the resurfacing of the El Camino Real tennis courts, the option of permanently converting 1 tennis court to 4 pickleball courts within this project could be considered. Although 10 new pickleball courts will be coming to Hart Park in 2026, staff has received community feedback asking for a permanent conversion of at least 1 tennis court to pickleball courts.
Project Budget: (Permanent Court conversion) TBD
Additionally, the Commission is hereby being asked to consider the following new potential park capital improvement projects for FY27.
• Veterans Park Memorial Fountain Restoration: Due to ground settling, the foundation of the Veterans Park fountain is lifting and is no longer level. This has caused fountain water to pass over the weir unevenly, causing tile discoloration and cracking due to mineral buildup. This project would include restoration of the existing fountain to correct waterflow issues, tile removal, and replacement of current tiles at the fountain.
Project budget: $40,000
• Santiago Creek Trail - Lodge Pole Fencing replacement: Along the north side of the Santiago Creek trail, in the section between S. Cambridge Street heading east to S. Tustin Street, the split-rail fencing is rotted and broken in several places. The splintering wood and fence openings create potential safety hazards for trail users. Replacement is needed for the approximate 2,500 linear feet of fencing.
Project budget: $50,000
• Playground Equipment Replacement: The typical lifespan of park playground equipment is 8-12 years and the existing playground equipment in several of our City parks is reaching the end of their useful life. While they are inspected regularly for safety standard compliance, many are exhibiting signs of wear and tear. Over the years, staff have made numerous repairs and installed replacement pieces, but the equipment will soon need to be replaced altogether. The goal of this project would be to replace playground equipment that has reached the end of its life with new, safe, and accessible structures to enhance community well-being and provide a vibrant, engaging play space. One to two playgrounds would be replaced annually, based on priority of current conditions and age. The cost to replace each park playground will vary, so project budget will vary each fiscal year. The remaining park playgrounds without shade sails installed (one at Hart, Killefer, McPherson, Santiago Hills, and two at Eisenhower), would have shade sails installed along with the installation of new playground equipment.
Project budget: will vary per playground
Based on the Commission’s input, staff will return with the list for Commission’s recommendation to Council at the October meeting.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• None.