Parks & Recreation 2025/03/26MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805
March 26, 2025 — 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark, Chair
Greg Martin, Vice Chair
Jim Cook
Bill Couture
Tony Flores
Robert Ryan
Fred Sigala, Jr.
STAFF PRESENT:
Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Sjany Larson -Cash introduced Ex-Officio Member Patricia
Soave and welcomed her to the meeting.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Clark presented the February 26, 2025 Minutes to the Commissioners
for changes or corrections. Vice Chair Martin made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Commissioner
Couture. The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor and 2 abstentions; Chair Clark accepted the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — February: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted that the number of public
contacts has decreased in comparison to February of 2024. She explained that this shift could be attributed
to a significant number of new ranger staff recently completing their training and adapting to the reporting
system as well as the colder weather as the winter season came to an end. Anaheim highlighted a decrease
in curfew advisements which is likely due to the joint efforts of the Park Ranger program and Anaheim Police
Department over the past few months. Lastly, Anaheim noted that the Park Ranger program is working with
the City's IT Department to add e-bike advisements into the reporting system.
Questions were answered regarding staffing levels, the priority of the ranger program in the case of funding
deficiencies, and alternate methods of reporting besides virtual data collection.
b) Parks Activity Report — January/February: JJ Jimenez presented the report and gave a brief overview of the
responsibilities and functions of the Parks Division. He highlighted the Anaheim Coves, the only nature park
located outside of the Peralta Sector, and encouraged Commissioners to visit this unique facility. He also
shared an update on the annual maintenance of the Pearson Park pond. Finally, he emphasized an
improvement project at Sycamore Park, playground equipment repairs in the Brookhurst Sector, and a newly
established youth program through the Chivas Soccer Organization, coordinated by the Facility Scheduling
section.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
March 26, 2025
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding turf repair at Little People's Park, the factors involved in deciding to
seed or sod an area, premier baseball fields, the closure of athletic fields due to inclement weather, and
reseeding at Maxwell Dog Park.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and provided a brief overview and
update on the Boysen Skate Park project including the final design and an approximate timeline. She then
highlighted the Canyon Rim playground replacement and the Maxwell Park KABOOM! project. Ana
announced the dedication ceremony for the completion of the La Palma Park Way Promenade project and
explained the additional renovations that will take place as part of the larger La Palma Park Improvement
plan. Lastly, she provided an update on River Park including the award of an Environmental Enhancement &
Mitigation Program Grant in the amount of $750,000.
Questions were answered regarding the details of the La Palma Park Way Promenade design, the possibility
of corporate sponsorships on future skate park projects, future improvement plans for Maxwell Park, and the
renovation of the mural at Modjeska Park.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Anaheim Sporn highlighted the new issue of the Your Community brochure and
encouraged Commissioners to attend the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration which will be held on May 3rd and,
for the first time, at the newly renovated Center Greens.
Commissioner Couture commented on his experience attending the Pioneer Accessible Baseball Field Re -
Opening and thanked Parks Division staff for their efforts in improving the space.
8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.