19 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND In July 2002, the City Council approved the Master Plan for the Downtown Parks and Trails System (DPTS). The Plan was created as a guide for the design improvements of seven park/recreation sites in the Downtown area, including Lions Wayside Park and Delucchi Park. The DPTS recommended that these two parks, the adjoining portion of the Regional Trail Corridor, and the area around Firehouse Arts Center be treated as one single park area. The combined facilities would serve the immediate neighborhood as well as the City as a whole. In 2008, with the anticipated completion of the Firehouse Arts Center and the City's acquisition of the Regional Trail Corridor, improving the Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks was a logical next step. The principal from the firm of Richard Larson & Associates, Landscape Architects was retained to develop the Master Plan for the project. Mr. Larson developed two draft schematic designs (Attachment 1 - Option A and Option B) for the parks; one of which was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2009. However, due to the uncertain economic conditions, the project was placed on hold. In March 2011, the Parks and Recreation Commission prioritized their projects for presentation to the City Council at the Council's Priority Setting Workshop scheduled for April of 2011. Completing the re-design of Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks was among the top three priorities for the Commission. In 2013, this project became the number one priority for the Commission, and this information was communicated to the City Council during their 2013 Priority Setting Workshop. The two parks, in combination with the Firehouse Arts Center, have become an important community gathering place, hosting popular events such as the Concerts in the Parks, Farmers' Market, as well as various programs at the arts center. This project is on the City Council's Work Plan Priorities list. The City is currently in the process of developing a city-wide "Parks & Recreation Master Plan." The Plan is intended to be a significant planning tool to help the City plan for the changing scope of recreational activities. As part of the process, an assessment of the parks and recreation facility needs of the community was conducted. During the "community outreach" phase, three public workshops were conducted where residents and stakeholders were able to provide feedback regarding the City's multitude of parks, facilities and programs. Workshop participants identified the renovation of Lion's Wayside and Delucchi Parks as one of the most important and significant improvements that the City should pursue. DISCUSSION Recently, staff was asked to complete the design planning process for the Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks Master Plan. The purpose of today's presentation is to provide the City Council with a status report on the project and to obtain the Council's input. For reference, the site conditions as well as history of public input, particularly as it relates to the treatment of the drainage swale, are outlined below. Page 2 of 5