Parks & Recreation 2025/01/22MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805
January 22, 2025 — 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark, Vice Chair
James Cook
Bill Couture
Greg Martin
Robert Ryan
Fred Sigala, Jr.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Tony Flores
AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT:
Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Barbara Leggett, Senior Secretary
ACTION TAKEN
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. She welcomed and introduced new
Commissioners Robert Ryan and Bill Couture.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Cook led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Mazatl Tepehyolotzin spoke to the Commission on the
importance of using indigenous language on interpretive signage for native trees, brush, and wildlife in the parks.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: JJ Jimenez requested that the informational item regarding the La Palma
Park Mural be presented first to which Vice Chair Clark concurred. Director Larson -Cash provided an overview of
the North La Palma Promenade Street Improvement Project, noting that the mural is a key component of this
initiative. JJ Jimenez outlined the scope of the project and introduced mural artist Damin Lujan, who presented
his concept and shared insights into his artistic process.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Vice Chair Clark presented the December 4, 2024 Minutes to the
Commissioners for changes or corrections. Commissioner Cook made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded
by Commissioner Sigala. The motion was approved with 4 votes in favor; Vice Chair Clark accepted the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report— November & December: Anaheim Sporn presented both reports and noted that the
data for Center Greens has been separated out from the Downtown Community Center data. She highlighted
a slight increase in patrols and occurrences in December which may be attributed to special events that took
place during the holiday season as well as a change in weather.
Questions were answered regarding dog off -leash, alcohol, and possible substance abuse occurrence data
as well as about correlation between the report data and the newly implemented park ordinances.
b) Recreation, Human & Neighborhood Services Activity Report — October/November: Anaheim Sporn
presented the report and highlighted the 101 st Fall Festival and 100th Halloween parade that took place on
October 26th as well as the annual Dia de Los Muertos community event which took place at the recently re-
opened Center Greens park. Anaheim also provided an update on the Pearson Park Amphitheatre
renovations.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
January 22, 2025
Page 2
c) Parks Activity Report — November/December: JJ Jimenez presented the report and noted that the activities
from the past two months have included projects to prepare the city's athletic fields for the upcoming baseball
season. JJ also highlighted ongoing maintenance projects such as play area repairs and upkeep of facility
amenities such as benches and trash bins.
Questions were answered regarding fire clearance.
d) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and provided an update on the
completion of the Barton Playground Surfacing Project. She then informed the Commission of the progress
on the Brookhurst Splash Pad Project and presented an image of the final design. Ana highlighted the
beginning of construction on the Rio Vista Park Improvements. Lastly, Ana announced the completion of the
Riverdale Park play area, which opened to the public on January 9th, and explained the inspiration for the
river themed design.
Questions were answered regarding the lifespan of the new Barton Playground surfacing, the water system
for the Brookhurst Splash Pad, and the process for the selection of the La Palma Park mural.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Approve Master Plan and Naming of River Park: Sjany Larson -Cash presented the proposal of the
Master Plan and name `River Park' for the City's future 69th park.
Questions were answered regarding vehicle parking options, open space availability, and the depth
of footings for certain amenities like shade structures at the future River Park. Additional questions
were answered regarding restroom facilities, interpretive signage, and native landscaping.
Vice Chair Clark made a motion to approve the proposed Master Plan of River Park, seconded by
Commissioner Couture. The motion was approved with six votes in favor.
Vice Chair Clark made a motion to recommend that the City Council approve the Naming of River
Park, seconded by Commissioner Couture. The motion was approved with six votes in favor.
b) Selection of Chair: Nominations for Chair were made: Commissioner Couture nominated Vice Chair
Clark and Commissioner Sigala nominated Commissioner Cook. Vice Chair Clark received six votes
in favor; Commissioner Cook received one vote in favor, one against, and four abstentions. Vice
Chair Clark will be the new Chair.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Commissioner Sigala spoke about his attendance at the groundbreaking event for
the Pioneer Park accessible field and requested information on any other improvements of Pioneer Park and on
the feasibility of adding a dog park to this space.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.