By Mia Alva
Outlook Valley Sun
The La Cañada Flintridge City Council moved discussions forward on upgrades for the Mayor’s Discovery Park such as adding playground and exercise equipment during the Feb. 21 meeting.
The city is set to receive approximately $190,000 from Proposition 68, a 2018 state ballot measure that approved bond funds for local parks. The purpose of the measure is to encourage recreational activities at city-owned or leased facilities.
After city officials and staff reviewed venues where those potential dollars could be spent, Mayor’s Discovery Park stood out to them.
Members of the community echoed to the city staff that “the park itself is very quaint and they would like to keep it that way,” said Arabo Parseghian, deputy director of administrative services, adding that children are frequent users of the park.
At the meeting, the LCF Parks and Recreation Commission prioritized a list of recommendations for the city council to consider, including:
- Installing a playground where the current sandbox is;
- Installing outdoor exercise equipment;
- Replacing the fountain with a performance stage;
- Installing a bocce/mixed-use court;
- Replacing some of the existing benches with game board benches; and
- Adding LED lighting improvements.
The items recommended are potentially eligible for Proposition 68 funds. But, those updates total $237,000, based on the city staff’s estimate.
The parks commission also requested that a dog waste station be installed. However, the staff continues to have issues with Mayor’s Park when it comes to dogs being off leash.
“Because of the double gate that the park provides, a lot of people use it as an unofficial dog park,” said Parseghian. “Staff’s concern is that installing a waste station could potentially promote that even further.”
But ultimately, it is up to the City Council. Mayor Keith Eich was in favor of installing a waste station.
With proposed project and maintenance items, the total cost is about $280,000 with $190,000 from Proposition 68. The rest would potentially be funded through the general fund or other sources, to be determined by city staff.
The City Council had some questions about adding more rubberized asphalt and getting a different playground set.
“As long as staff has a general consensus from the City Council and approval that the layout works … we have time to adjust, if other suggestions come in,” said Parseghian.
Resident Maura Brown spoke out in favor of the proposed plan, unlike most of the other public speakers at the meeting.
“This plan has something for [people with] different interests, and for our communities’ youngest members and its eldest members,” said Brown.
Other members of the community wanted a dog park instead of the improvements recommended, or a mix of both.
“I think that the Mayor’s Discovery Park is an ideal location for a dog park if the council would consider. It’s completely enclosed with a high fence. It’s not large enough for any organized sports and most importantly, that’s how it’s currently used,” said resident Deborah Pitts.
Parseghian noted that a dog park is not eligible for Proposition 68 funds because the money is for improving recreation activities for humans.
“One of the problems with single purpose spaces is you exclude all the other people in the community and a dog park potentially would add to that,” said resident Scott Lorenz.
Others mentioned the lack of maintenance at the park.
“There [is] pine needles, pinecones and rocks everywhere. The maintenance at Mayor’s Park is just horrible,” said Tracy Feehan.
Eich mentioned that in the future a lot next to the park could be transformed to a dog park.
“I would love to see a dog park in this town. We get asked for it every day at work. But I think this park was designed to be a family park. It was designed for the younger children in mind,” said Councilmember Terry Walker.
Councilmember Kim Bowman weighed in, addressing public concerns.
“I think that one park can’t do it all. Especially if it’s not a really big park. So, if it’s a smaller park, we can’t say let’s do these five or 10 things, sometimes we have to pick,” said Bowman.
Now, the city will apply for the grant and public works will continue with the bid documents. Tweaks can be changed as they go, Parseghian explained.
“Without your input, things aren’t going to change,” said Eich, talking to the audience and public speakers. “So, I appreciate you showing up and speaking up, even if we don’t all see eye to eye.”
