Loading...
Parks & Recreation 2025/07/23MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805 July 23, 2025 — 6:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: CarlottaRhea Clark, Chair Greg Martin, Vice Chair Jim Cook Bill Couture Robert Ryan COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Tony Flores 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 6:01 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Clark led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Kevin Barrot spoke to the Commission to advocate for the expansion of pickleball infrastructure within City parks. Shorlette Knighton addressed the Commission to express her support for the renovation and improvement of the Olive Hills tennis courts. Art Castillo commented on his experience attending the Center Greens Mural Community Design Workshop and expressed appreciation for the Commission's efforts to improve City parks. Mazatl Tepehyolotzin addressed the Commission regarding the heritage of the Gabriel ino/Tongva Nation, commented on his collaboration with community advocates, performed a traditional song, and emphasized the importance of representation in the upcoming mural at Center Greens. 4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: Three electronic submissions were distributed to Commissioners and made available as part of the official public record of the July 23, 2025 meeting. 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Clark presented the June 25, 2025 Minutes for changes or corrections. Commissioner Ryan made a motion to accept the Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Couture. The motion was approved with 4 votes in favor and 1 abstention. Chair Clark accepted the Minutes. 6. REPORTS: a) Park Ranger Report — June: Anaheim Sporn presented the report, highlighting a slight decrease in patrols compared to May. This was likely due to several new Ranger staff still transitioning from training to independent patrols. However, compared to June 2024, patrols have increased significantly, a result of having more staff available this year. Anaheim also noted that curfew advisements and patron counts were lower than the previous month, which may be due to various reasons including recent immigration enforcement. a) Parks Activity Report— May/June: JJ Jimenez presented the report, noting several key projects and activities across City parks. He highlighted the renovation of the John Marshall Park athletic field in the Brookhurst Sector and the replacement and renovation of trash receptacles in the Boysen and La Palma Sectors. JJ also reported on the successful opening of the splash pads at Miraloma and Ponderosa Park over Memorial Day weekend. Additional unique maintenance efforts included the cleaning of the Pearson Park pond, and the installation of a new drainage system at Oak Canyon Nature Center. Additionally, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 23, 2025 Page 2 ongoing fire clearance work was performed by the Peralta Sector in the east. He noted several special events attended by TreePower staff as well as permitted events through the Facility Scheduling Section. JJ concluded by highlighting a special event at Yorba Park, where Anaheim Elementary School students helped break the Guinness World Record for the largest game of Red Light, Green Light. Questions were answered regarding the replacement of trash receptacles and the frequency of maintenance at the Pearson Park pond. b) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and provided an update on the Brookhurst Park Splash Pad project. She shared that the design and construction documents are complete and the project is currently in the plan check stage with construction anticipated to begin in early 2026. Ana updated the Commission on the Rio Vista Park Improvements project, noting that construction is underway on the new restroom facility along with utility installations at the existing site. Ana reminded the Commission that the full project scope includes a new shade structure, picnic tables, and upgraded hardscape adjacent to the playground, as well as enhancements to a second picnic area. Project completion is anticipated in Fall 2025. Ana also reported on the River Park project, which is in the construction document development stage and will be submitted for plan check in the coming months. Construction of the City's future 69th park is expected to begin in Summer 2026. Questions were answered regarding the completion timeline of River Park and OC River Walk in relation to the OCVIBE development and plans for native landscaping at River Park. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Sjany Larson -Cash introduced the informational item which was agendized in response to community input on the Olive Hills tennis courts. Ana Straabe then provided a presentation outlining the current condition of the courts and the actions planned for future improvements, presenting phased options that ranged from resurfacing and repairing the existing courts to a full replacement, depending on the level of funding available. Sjany Larson -Cash added that staff recommend pursuing repairs as a temporary measure given the current condition of the courts and lack of sufficient funding for a larger -scale renovation at this time. Questions were addressed regarding the current level of use at the Olive Hills tennis courts, potential funding sources for the phased improvement options, the expected lifespan and scope of temporary repairs, and the anticipated timeline for completing the necessary work on the existing courts. Additional questions regarding the role of the Commission in recommending and supporting new capital improvement projects. Vice Chair Martin requested to agendize a discussion of pickleball courts within the park system in response to strong community interest in the sport. The Commission agreed on this request. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.