SR-303-011 (3)
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Attachment II
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Virginia Ave. Park Expansion Project
V ir!linia Avenue Park Advisor\' Board Recommendations of F ebruar\' L 1999
Members in attendance: Art Casillas
George Hickey
Joanne Leavitt
Andrew Macias
Mat Millen
Rik Ricard
Clyde Smith
Peter Tigler
Betty Tomeo
Note: Bold text indicates corrections made at the February 1, 1999 meeting
from earlier V APAB discussions.
1. Purchase of Pico orooerties to the West of the Park: The Board unanimously
supports the purchase of the parcels for "recreation and park" purposes.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. The Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Working Group
will make recommendations on the use of the new park properties.
2. Traffic: The Board recommends that parking and traffic impacts should be
minimized on Virginia Avenue and surrounding streets around the park, particularly
during the farmer's market operation.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. The Environmental Impact Report will analyze and
assess access and circulation issues With the park expansion. Presently, the concept
design calls for the market traffic to utilize Pico Boulevard. With gates, access to
Virginia Avenue could be controlled. The final configuration will only be made after all
the traffic analYSIS is complete.
3. Police Activities LeaQue (PAll Gvm: The Board recommends a community cultural
center and library for the park. "The PAL has their new facility on Olympic Boulevard
and their sole use of this space (in Virginia Avenue Park) should be re-evaluated.
V A PAB will examine this issue very closely, with future meetings to decide a timeline
for transition of this space to its Intended community purpose." (Board member
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Joanne Leavitt abstained).
Staff Recommendation: The joint City-PAL application for replacement of the gym
received widespread community support, including letters of support from the Virginia
Avenue Park Advisory Board and the Pico Neighborhood Association, among others. In
addition, parents of PAL members recently attended a V APAB meeting to discuss their
concern with the Board's position on this matter. The gym facility must be developed
and used in accordance with the stipulations in the contract with the Los Angeles
County Parks & Open Space District. The County Grant contract requires the center to
be used 100% for at-risk youth. Other uses at the park needing building space will be
discussed as part of the Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Working Group process.
4. Half Basketball Court: "The Board still has concerns regarding the basketball half
court... (although) landscaping and berming of this facility may meet our concerns."
Staff Recommendation: The court as shown is 60 feet from the property line. A
buffer of hedges, trees, and berms are planned to provide a visual screen between the
apartment building and the park. To limit night time use, lighting of this court is not
proposed. Staff and the design team will continue to work with the V APAB to address
their concerns.
5. RelocatIon of the Playoround and "Greenino" of the area between Pi co Boulevard
and Thelma Terry Center: The Board would like further study of the moving of the play
area as well as an assessment of the play equipment to see which items could be
retained "for continuity and historic reasons." Child safety should superceed any
historic considerations.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. The new play area is very close to the current one.
The size of the play area (and the perimeter concrete curbs around the existing play
area) must be revised to meet ADA standards, and to better integrate the play area
Into the new park expansion and pedestrian Circulation. Two play areas are proposed,
including one for younger children and one for older children. (8-13 years of age).
Some of the existing play features may be retained, thus saving on replacement costs.
These details will be refined in the design development stages, with V APAB review
and input.
The paved areas between Pica Boulevard and the Thelma Terry Center include tree
piantings, grassy areas, shrub, and groundcover plantings to "break up" the paving. In
addItion, a variety of paving materials, such as colored concrete, interlocking pavers,
raised planters. and other landscaping may be utilized. These details will be proposed
during the design development stage of the project, with public and V APAB review and
input.
6. Barbeoues: The Board recommends barbeques be located at various areas
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throughout the park, and not be concentrated in one area.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. The precise BBa locations will be determined as the
design development process continues. This could be discussed in further detail at
future V APAB meetings.
7. Edqe treatment alonq the Pico Cloverfield lot: The Board agrees with the proposed
park edge treatment. The Board states "The North wall (separating the residential area
northeast of the park from the new oval area) has a much welcomed hedge and
landscaping. "
Staff Recommendation: Concur.
8. Exercise Stations: The Board recommends elimination of the exercise stations. "A
walking path (rather than a 'jogging' path with exercise stations) is preferred. There is
an existing path with exercise stations in nearby Clover Park, (and) we feel there is no
need for separate but equal 'new' exercise stations to be located at Virginia Avenue
Park (VAP)."
Staff recommendation: The exercise course was highly favored in the community
surveys. especially among the adults. The'course provides fitness opportunities to the
neighborhood and no other concerns have been raised regarding the proposed exercise
stations. The equipment in the stations will be constructed of appropriate materials for
durabilIty, ease of use, sustainability, maintenance, and enjoyment.
9. Water Element: The Board believes "water play is acceptable pending review of the
design." (Board member Joanne Leavitt voted" no").
Staff Recommendation: Concur with Board. The interactive water play element was
the most popular park amenity requested by the local youth who were surveyed. The
feature will be flush to the ground surface, with water jets. to provide spray. This
deSign will accommodate all ages, is safe, and has been utilized successfully in many
parks In California, including Central Park in Davis and Bautista Park in Calabassas
without any Significant safety problems. Details will be brought back for further
VAPAB review.
10. Hand Ball Courts: The Board, citing safety considerations, states "the issue of
handball courts although previously considered is now not recommended." (Board
Member Joanne Leavitt voted "no").
Staff Recommendation: Handball was highly favored in the park expansion surveys,
particularly among teens. Research on handball courts in Oakwood Park (Venice) and
Stoner Park (West LA) revealed few operational issues with these facilities, which are
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also sometimes utilized for tennis practice. Finally, the site plan will be revised to
provide the appropriate back court area, alleviating interference with the other courts,
which was also a concern raised by the Board.
11. Relocatinq Exterior Restrooms: The Board states that" relocating the just rebuilt
public toilets is unacceptable. We suggest that a south-facing patio space be
developed between the Thelma Terry Center and the refurbished cultural center and
library, by closing both ends and creating a garden-like space including art. (Also
adding a doorway between both buildings)."
Staff Recommendation: The interim improvements made to this restroom were
relatively minor (such as relocating the height of fixtures, painting, etc.). Most of the
improvements were associated with making the facility ADA compatible until the park
expansion construction occurs. This restroom building eliminates views from the
Thelma Terry Center into the Park, is not well positioned to serve the activities planned
for the southeastern portions of the park (farmer's market, oval lawn area, etc.), and
prohibits the possible future expansion of the Thelma Terry Center to the east. In
addition, the restroom building's exterior appearance detracts from the Center and the
new park amenities planned for the park.
12. Northwest Corner of Pi co and Cloverfield Boulevards: The Boa'rd proposes a
"gateway" at this corner. The Board recommendation states "the Pio Pico Gateway
proposal is of great interest and importance to our community. Originally proposed to
the design team in initial meetings with the V APAB, this feature follows a lengthy and
exhaustive public process and a positive decision by the V APAB. This design feature,s
a large fountain with depiction of full Pio Pi co statue in a tastefully designed plaza
area. This Pio Pico Gateway feature would connect the water element from the Water
Garden and Ralphs market sites, with garden themes from the Arboretum." (Board
Members Joanne Leavitt and Art Casillas voted "no").
Staff Recommendation: The public artist selection process was an open and
competitive process which concluded with selection of a Los Angeles-area artist
collaborative. Two members of the V APAB were Included on the selection panel (one
did not attend). The themes and concept ideas for the proposed artwork were
discussed at the public workshops, at previous V APAB meetings, and at the special
August 11 meeting held at the park. The conceptual artwork is an integral part of a
neighborhood gateway at the corner of Pico and Cloverfield Boulevards, which includes
speCial landscaping and incorporation of the Pico Boulevard Streetscape paving and
design features. Although there are significant issues with regard to fountains (water
conservation and maintenance), staff and the design team are exploring the possibility
of including water in the gateway design. With the corner right turn lane being
redesigned, additional changes to this area of the park expansion project may also be
made and brought back for review by the public, V APAB, Public Art Committee and
Art Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, Planning Commission, and City
Council.
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13. Storaae: The Board recommends that Virginia Avenue Park (VAP) storage "needs
to be inventoried with excess storage buildings eliminated. Space is very limited.
Storage (should bel for VAP use exclusively." The VAPAB requested that existing
storage buildings be accessible for examination reasonably soon.
Staff Reco'mmendation: The storage area has been substantially reduced from earlier
concept design configurations, and efficiently designed to maximize green space for
the park. Staff recognizes that park storage is a citywide issue and that the City's
storage facilities, including the Parks & Sports Division Airport hanger, are currently at
capacity. The Virginia Avenue Park Expansion Working Group will address the issue of
storage at Virginia Avenue Park with the planning recommendations for the new park
properties, and in light of the upcoming park restroom, concession, and storage capital
Improvement project. Staff is ready to assist the V APAB in accessing the storage at
their earliest convenience.
14. Crosswalk at 22nd Street: The Board recommends a crosswalk at 22nd Street.
Staff Recommendation: The addition of a crosswalk would occur outside the scope of
thiS proJect. The crosswalk study recently completed for Pico Boulevard, which
examined the feasibility of a crosswalk at 22nd Street, recommended a decision on a
crosswalk at this location be deferred until ~the park expansion project concept design
IS complete. The study, adopted by City Council in January 1999 did not recommend a
crosswalk at this location given current traffic and the low level of pedestrian activity.
The appropriateness of a crosswalk at 22M Street may be re-examined once a design
olan IS In place for that area of the park expansion project.
15 Deslqn Details: The Board would like future discussions on park furniture, lighting,
fencing, filtered drinking fountains, proper parking lot landscaping, telephones, refuse
and recycling receptacles, tot lot equipment. types of trees. and future Police presence
in the park.
Staff Recommendation: Concur. The VAPAB should be included in the review of
design details.
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