SR 10-15-2019 8A
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: October 15, 2019
Agenda Item: 8.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Architecture Services
Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Review of Master Plan layout and park program for renovation and expansion
of Memorial Park
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Review and comment on the master plan layout and programmatic concepts for
the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project;
2. Direct staff to proceed with Request for Proposals for design and pre-
construction services of phases 1 and 2 of the master plan ;
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fourth modification to
agreement #9910 (PCD) in the amount of $149,000 (including 10% contingency)
with Wood Environmental & Infrastructure Solutions Incorporated, a California-
based company, for preparation of the Environmental Impact Analysis for a total
contract amount not to exceed $527,000;
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate Fiscal and Use Agreements with Santa
Monica College (SMC) and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
(SMMUSD) for capital improvement costs for Phase I implementation.
Executive Summary
The Santa Monica parks system includes 32 parks encompassing more than 130 acres.
Within this parks system there are small neighborhood parks such as Ozone Park and
Euclid Park and larger community parks such as Clover, Virginia Avenue and Memorial
Parks. Each of these parks feature amenities that together form a rich range of
opportunities for various types of sports, play experiences, gardening, picnicking,
walking and relaxing. Memorial Park, which was established in the 1950’s and
geographically located in the center of the City, is important to the overall park system
as it serves as the primary park for baseball and softball as well as being the home for
the City’s only public gymnasium, skate park and more of a home for pickleball. The
Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project would combine Memorial Park
and the adjacent, 2.9-acre City-owned former Fisher Lumber site into a 13-acre newly
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renovated and expanded community park to meet an increasing demand for
recreational activities. The project would also integrate components of the Pedestrian
Action Plan and Bicycle Action Plan. An extensive community outreach process guided
the development of a master plan layout and park program for the future renovation and
expansion of Memorial Park that would include additional diamond sports fields and
other highly-desired community amenities.
Staff recommends the Council review and provide direction to staff related to the
proposed master plan and park program; provide direction to staff to proceed with a
Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional design and pre -construction services for
phases 1 and 2 of the master plan; authorize a modification to Wood Environmental and
Infrastructure Solution Inc.’s (Wood) existing contract to provide environmental impact
analysis of the proposed master plan consistent with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) and to add preparation of CEQA compliant documentation to the
existing Scope of Work; and authorize the City Manager to negotiate agreements with
both Santa Monica College and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District that
would facilitate funding contributions for the implementation of Phase 1 of the master
plan and shared use of the proposed renovated and expanded facilities at Memorial
Park.
Background
The Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project would combine the existing
10.3-acre Memorial Park with the former Fisher Lumber site – a City-owned, 2.9-acre
property adjacent to the existing park – into a newly renovated and expanded
community park. The combined site is bound by Colorado Avenue to the north, 16th
Street to the east, Olympic Boulevard to the south and 14th Street to the west.
The need to expand and redefine the role of Memorial Park was established in Santa
Monica’s 1997 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The City purchased the Fisher
Lumber site in 2004 with the intention of expanding Memorial Park. The City took
occupancy of the site in 2005 and has since used the property to house Public Works
staff and equipment.
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The Council adopted the recommendation of the Recreation and Parks Commission in
March 2016 and formally selected the City’s highest priority park projects – including the
expansion of Memorial Park – to be incorporated into the Los Angeles Countywide
Parks Needs Assessment Report. After a competitive procurement process, Council
awarded an agreement to AHBE Landscape Architects in January 2018 to provide
professional design services for the development of a feasibility study and master plan
layout for an expanded and redeveloped park that would meet the following objectives -:
• Maximize opportunities for fields with a focus on diamond sports;
• Consider community programs such as the gymnasium, Santa Monica Police
Activities League (PAL), and fitness facilities;
• Integrate appropriate buffering along busy vehicular corridors;
• Integrate the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan s; and
• Consider the park’s relationship to the surrounding neighborhood and City
context.
Environmental Consulting Services
Council authorized a contract with Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solution Inc.
(formerly AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc.) in May 2014 for environmental
consulting services related to the Memorial Park Neighborhood Plan. Services related to
the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion were not included in the scope of
work at that time as a timeline for advancing the project had not been determined.
Past Council Actions
07/01/97 (Attachment A) Adopted Santa Monica Parks and Recreation Master Plan
05/27/14 (Attachment B) Awarded $378,000 agreement with AMEC Environment &
Infrastructure for environmental impact analysis services
03/22/16 (Attachment C) Directed staff to include Memorial Park in Los Angeles
Countywide Parks Needs Assessment Report
01/23/18 (Attachment D) Awarded agreement with AHBE Landscape Architects for
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feasibility study and master plan design services
Discussion
Memorial Park is Santa Monica’s primary public park for hosting diamond sports
activities. Youth baseball, youth fast pitch softball, high school baseball, and adult
softball leagues use the fields at Memorial Park. The park also houses the only public
gymnasium and skate park in Santa Monica.
The existing park includes six baseball/softball fields – four of which have limited
playability due to overlapping outfields, a skate park, four tennis courts striped for
pickleball, a small children’s play area, on-site surface parking, restrooms, a small
concession building, an off-leash dog run and three City-owned and operated
community buildings. The existing buildings house the Santa Monica Police Activities
League (PAL), community meeting rooms, staff offices, a small fitness gym and the
Memorial Park gymnasium.
Along the park’s northern boundary sits the former Fisher Lumber site, which currently
houses the City’s Public Landscape Division offices, vehicles and equipment. The City
is in the process of relocating the Division to a non-aviation site at Santa Monica Airport.
The feasibility study and master planning process included an examination of existing
conditions and park program elements and the completion of an extensive community
outreach process. The result is a single, cohesive master plan layout that would
address long-standing issues at Memorial Park, including but not limited to inadequate
field functionality, restrictive perimeter and edge conditions, poor connections to the
surrounding neighborhood, and misused restrooms and other amenities. The master
plan would also inform the design and phased implementation of the project.
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Figure 1: Memorial Park and former Fisher Lumber site
Community Outreach Process
An extensive community outreach process informed the development of the master plan
layout. Park users and stakeholders engaged in this process through focus groups,
online surveys, and community workshops. Public input guided the master planning
effort and resulted in a layout and program that is responsive to community aspirations
and Council direction.
The outreach process commenced with a series of focus group discussions in April and
May 2018 that engaged skate park users, gymnasium users, field permit holders, th e
Field Sports Advisory Committee (FSAC), Police Activities League (PAL) Youth
Leadership Council, PAL Board of Directors, Santa Monica College staff, and
interdepartmental teams of City staff. The focus group discussions included
approximately 95 attendees in total and provided an initial opportunity for user groups to
share thoughts on the existing park and ideas for its expansion and redevelopment.
Community Workshop 1 was held on May 23, 2018 at the Memorial Park gymnasium
and was attended by over 155 park users, residents, and other stakeholders who
shared their aspirations and program requests for the master plan. The design team
provided a brief presentation summarizing initial observations and findings and led small
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group discussions. The public input received at Community Workshop 1 validated many
of the things the design team heard from the focus groups.
The City also conducted an online survey from April through June 2018 to solicit input
from park users, stakeholders, and the community at-large. The survey was open for
approximately 40 days and received 608 responses. Key findings from the survey
included the following:
• Greater than 70% of respondents live in the zip code areas immediately adjacent
to the park;
• 73% of respondents drive to the park;
• 77% of respondents visit the park a least once a week or more;
• Sports activities at the park are most popular although 40% of respondents
indicated the facilities need updating;
• Respondents indicated safety concerns related to the existing restrooms and the
edges of the park (61% and 28% of respondents, respectively); and
• Parking is the primary challenge for 54% of respondents when visiting the park.
Community input received through the survey and all other modes of engagement was
aggregated and used to inform the development of three conceptual layouts that were
presented to the public along with the survey results at Community Workshop 2 on
August 13, 2018 at the Civic Auditorium’s East Wing. More than 170 attendees provided
feedback through facilitated table discussions. An overview of each of the three
conceptual layouts presented is provided below.
Option 1 included:
• Six diamond sports fields: four synthetic turf combo fields located along Colorado
Avenue and two renovated natural turf youth ba seball fields in their existing
location;
• A central community hub with children’s play area, park restrooms, concessions,
and sports/park storage;
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• A new Community Recreation Center within the footprint of the existing buildings
at 14th Street and Olympic Boulevard;
• Renovation of The Cove skate park without an expansion of the space;
• Four on-grade tennis courts striped for pickleball located adjacent to 16th Street;
• An expanded surface parking lot along 14th Street; and
• A new dog park located along Colorado Avenue between the two combo fields.
Figure 2: Conceptual Layout Option 1
Option 2 included:
• Six diamond sports fields: two synthetic turf combination fields at the corner of
14th Street and Colorado, two synthetic turf combo fields along 16th Street, and
two renovated natural turf youth baseball fields in their existing location;
• A central community hub with children’s play area, park restrooms, concessions,
sports/park storage, and a small dog run;
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• A new Community Recreation Center on the corner of 16th Street and Colorado
Avenue with four tennis courts striped for pickleball on the roof;
• Renovation and expansion of The Cove skate park; and
• A new surface parking lot at the corner of 14th Street and Olympic Boulevard that
did not increase the on-site parking capacity.
Figure 3: Conceptual Layout Option 2
Option 3 included:
• Six diamond sports fields: four synthetic turf combo fields located along Colorado
Avenue and two renovated natural turf youth baseball fields in their existing
location;
• The new Community Recreation Center along 16th Street with integrated
concessions, sports/park storage, and park restrooms;
• A children’s play area located in the center of the park;
• Renovation and expansion of The Cove skate park; and
• A new dog park on the corner of 14th Street and Olympic Boulevard;
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• Four elevated tennis courts striped for pickleball over an expanded surface
parking lot along 14th Street.
Figure 4: Conceptual Layout Option 3
All three options included a community walking loop with exercise stations and planted
landscape areas within the park and around its perimeter. All three conceptual layouts
were presented at Community Workshop 2 with an area depicted for the Sustainable
Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) tank. This provision has since been abandoned with
the relocation of the tank to the Civic Center parking lot.
Throughout the event, workshop participants made repeated requests for more fields –
in addition to what was shown in any of the three layout options. Attendees also voiced
support for the following elements:
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• A new community recreation center within the footprint of the existing buildings at
14th Street and Olympic Boulevard;
• A central community hub with children’s play area, concessions, restrooms and
storage;
• Elevated tennis courts striped for pickleball over an expanded surface parking lot;
• Expansion of The Cove skate park; and
• A community walking loop with exercise stations.
Following Community Workshop 2, the design team revisited the conceptual layouts in
an effort to incorporate additional field space. The team held a working session with
leadership from field permit groups, representatives from FSAC and from the
Recreation and Parks Commission. Attendees collaborated on optimal field dimensions,
field quantity and layout, and desired field amenities. The working session resulted in a
layout that incorporates an additional field dedicated to youth fast pitch softball.
Although a new, larger dog park was included in each of the three conceptual layout
options presented at Community Workshop 2, it was later eliminated due to space
constraints that resulted from community prioritization of other program elements.
Subsequently, a third community outreach package was released in June 2019 to share
the culmination of the design team’s efforts up to that point. Conceptual plans,
renderings and program element diagrams were posted to the project’s webpage for
public review and comment. Additionally, an information booth was set up at Memorial
Park on June 1, 2019 to display the materials, and City staff was on hand to answer
questions and gather community feedback.
Materials that were shared with the public at each step of the community outreach
process are included in Attachment E.
Proposed Master Plan
The proposed master plan was informed by the input gathered through the extensive
community outreach process as well as the Council’s directive to focus on meeting the
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needs of diamond sports at the site. The layout reflects the inclusion of many and varied
park program elements within fixed site constraints and the large spatial requirements of
programs such as sports fields and other amenities highly-desired by the community,
including parking, tennis/pickleball courts, and a community recreation center. To
achieve these objectives, the park’s footprint would be expanded into portions of 16th
Street and Colorado Avenue. The proposed master plan is shown below, followed by
detailed information on each major component of the design.
Figure 5: Proposed Conceptual Master Plan Layout
Sports Fields
The proposed master plan establishes seven diamond sports fields at Memorial Park
which will provide for an additional field from what exists today and will allow for greater
flexibility, including the ability to play simultaneous games on Fields 1 – 4, something
the existing fields cannot currently accommodate.
• Combo Fields: Fields 1 - 4, referred to as the combination (or combo) fields,
would utilize synthetic turf to create adaptable play space for baseball and
softball groups of all ages. They are designed for flexibility; each combo field
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could accommodate a single regulation high school baseball game, adult softball
game or collegiate softball game. Additionally, each combo field can be divided
with temporary fencing to accommodate two youth baseball or two youth fast
pitch softball games played simultaneously. Each field would feature covered
dugouts, shaded spectator seating, and LED sports lighting. A batting cage for
shared use sits adjacent to the combo fields. Amenities such as pitchers’
bullpens and additional batting cages will be considered in the design phase.
The use of synthetic turf, portable pitching mounds, and adjustable bases would provide
flexibility in field usage and also reduce maintenance intensity by eliminating the need to
irrigate, fertilize, mow and aerate the fields. The fields would be striped for play and
require no chalking, allow for year-round play without extended maintenance downtime,
and would be ready for use immediately following rainfall or other inclement weather,
whereas natural turf can take several days to dry after a heavy rain event. Furthermore,
significant synthetic turf system innovations have advanced in recent years with
products available that are composed of recycled materials and use locally-harvested
organic fill materials that do not pose health concerns and reduce the heat island effect.
A large percentage of the materials used in synthetic turf systems can be recycled for
reuse at the end of the systems lifespan
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Figure 6: Combo Field
• Youth Baseball Showcase Fields: Fields 5 and 6 would be natural grass with
skinned infield baselines sized specifically for Little League baseball. These
showcase fields would feature the amenities of a first-class facility, including
covered dugouts, batting cages, electronic score boards, shaded spectator
seating, and LED field lighting.
• Youth Fast Pitch Softball Showcase Field: Field 7 would be natural grass with
skinned infield baselines sized specifically for youth fast pitch softball. This
showcase field would also feature the amenities of a first -class facility, including
covered dugouts, batting cages, an electronic score board, shade covered
spectator seating, and LED field lighting.
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Figure 7: Showcase Fields
The Cove Skate Park
An expansion to the existing skate park would provide an opportunity to update the
park’s existing elements and add other modern skateboarding and BMX features as well
as other amenities, such as shade for spectators.
Community Hub
The community hub would be centrally located within the park and include a children’s
play area, restrooms, concessions, storage for field permit groups and park
maintenance equipment, and a small office for field monitor staff. The playground would
be universally accessible and feature ample integrated shade. The location of the
community hub relative to the diamond sport fields, tennis/pickleball courts, The Cove
skate park, and parking lot would make it the active center of the park.
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Figure 8: Community Hub Area
Community Fitness Trail
The community fitness trail would be a dedicated ½ mile walking loop with a series of
interspersed or grouped exercise stations. The path would travel the park’s perimeter
along 14th Street, 16th Street, and Colorado Avenue, then traverse the park’s interior
and connect to the centrally-located Community Hub.
Tennis/Pickleball Courts
Four tennis courts striped for pickleball would be elevated over the new on -site surface
parking lot and include stairs and an elevator. The courts would feature LED sports
lighting, wide perimeter clearance spaces, and dedicated equipment storage
immediately adjacent to the play area.
Parking
The covered parking lot would increase parking inventory by 49 spaces for a total of 128
spaces to be used exclusively by park patrons and would include a safe and convenient
passenger loading zone and turnaround area. The parking lot’s central location would
make it easily accessible from all areas of the park. The footprint of Memorial Park
would be expanded into portions of 16th Street and Colorado Avenue, resulting in a
reduction of 37 metered street parking spaces adjacent to the park.
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Figure 9: Surface Parking and Rooftop Tennis Courts
Mobility and Streetscape Improvements
For those who prefer to walk or bike to Memorial Park, the proposed master plan
includes 4’-wide planted areas that would provide a buffer between generous 8’-wide
perimeter sidewalks and field activity within the park. Street trees and parkway planters
would create a sense of comfort for pedestrians walking along the street and a shared
use bike path completely separated from the street along the Colorado Avenue park
frontage (Class I bike path), would allow for future connections to the Exposition
Corridor Bike Path.
Figure 10: Park Entrance at Colorado Avenue
Community Recreation Center (CRC)
The CRC would integrate the functions of the existing gymnasium, PAL building,
community rooms, and staff offices into one facility. Contemplated as a two story,
50,000 square foot building, it would be designed to create a strong connection to the
park and feature a flexible floor plan to allow for a broad array of recreational and
community programs and services, a larger gymnasium, and increased storage space.
Phasing and Cost Estimates
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The master plan envisions a phased approach that would be implemented over time as
funding is available. Phase 1 is shown below and would include four synthetic turf
baseball/softball fields, a temporary natural turf practice field, covered parking lot,
tennis/pickleball courts, and the Community Hub. This phase is estimated to cost
approximately $25 – 30 million in capital costs and involve roughly 18 – 24 months of
construction that would be staged to minimize disruptions to existing park usage. Due to
funding limitations, perimeter streetscape improvements would be included in Phase 2.
If perimeter streetscape improvements were to be added to Phase 1, they would
increase the capital cost by approximately $4 million.
Figure 11: Construction Phase 1
Phase 2 would include two natural turf youth baseball fields, the natural turf youth fast
pitch softball field, community walking loop with exercise stations, expansion of The
Cove skate park, and perimeter streetscape improvements, including street trees,
parkway planters, landscaped area buffers, and the Class I shared use bike path along
Colorado Avenue. This phase would cost approximately $15 – 18 million in capital costs
and involve roughly 12 – 18 months of construction that would be staged to minimize
disruptions to existing park use.
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Figure 12: Construction Phase 2
Phase 3 would include construction of the CRC to replace the existing buildings at the
southwest corner of the site. It is estimated to cost approximately $60 – 68 million in
capital costs and involve roughly 24 – 30 months of construction.
Figure 13: Construction Phase 3
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Advisory Body Reviews
Field Sports Advisory Committee
The proposed conceptual master plan was presented at the June 6, 2019 FSAC
meeting. Following public comment and discussion among committee members, FSAC
voted to formally support transmittal of the proposed master plan to the Recreation and
Parks Commission.
Recreation and Parks Commission
On July 18, 2019, the Recreation and Parks Commission reviewed and provided input
on the conceptual master plan layout and programmatic concepts. The Commission
also received public input and written comments (Attachment F).
Several off-leash dog run users spoke during public input to advocate for keeping a dog
run in the expanded park. Speakers noted that dog parks do not exist in Santa Monica
north of the I-10 freeway. They also spoke positively about the smaller size of the
existing off-leash dog run at Memorial Park and its decomposed granite surface.
Speakers noted that the space is unique – compared to other dog park’s in the city –
and desirable for that reason.
Field users also spoke during public input to express support for the additional fields
shown in the master plan, and specifically the synthetic turf combo fields. Speakers
expressed concern regarding orientation of the fields and how sun aspects may affect
players’ vision. They also requested additional amenities including warm-up areas and
score booths.
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica submitted written comments to the Commission
prior to the meeting, expressing the Club's interest in building and operating a new main
branch facility at Memorial Park. Representatives from the Club spoke during public
input to reaffirm their interest, share drawings from a preliminary feasibility study
conducted by architectural firm Moore Ruble Yudell, and request that the Commission
recommend inclusion of a facility for the Club in the master plan. Commissioners
acknowledged the Club's input and written comments, noted that the proposal should be
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explored, and determined that the Commission was not in a position to recommend
inclusion of a new main branch as part of the master plan. Since the meeting, city staff
have met with representatives of the Boys & Girls Club to discuss their proposal in
further detail and to discuss additional opportunities for collaboration between the Boys
& Girls Club and city programs at PAL and Virginia Avenue Park. Staff have also
spoken with key members of the PAL Board of Directors to encourage them to meet
with their counterparts at the Boys & Girls Club to explore possible partnerships over
the long term while not pre-judging the outcome of these discussions and staff have
learned that an initial meeting has been held with representative s of the two boards.
The Recreation and Parks Commission voted unanimously to support the proposed
Memorial Park Master Plan layout and programmatic concepts with recommendations
for further consideration during the design and implementation phase. The Commission
recommended that the project team consider:
• Incorporating a premier California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) baseball field;
• Keeping an off-leash dog run at the park;
• Analyzing the parking loss impacts on 16th Street;
• Inclusion of elements such as bullpens, warm up areas, dugouts, seating, public
address systems, and score booths at all fields;
• Clustering the proposed outdoor fitness equipment in groupings;
• Analyzing the tree canopy, relocating existing trees, and planting new trees
where possible;
• Incorporating shade for the playground;
• Examining aspects of sun and shade affecting players’ vision in determining
positioning of the fields;
• Conducting further analysis of natural turf vs. synthetic turf; and
• Starting design and construction of phase one at the earliest possible date.
Urban Forest Task Force
On July 24, 2019, staff presented an overview of the Memorial Park Master Plan to the
Urban Forest Task Force. Members expressed informal support of the plan and agreed
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to a future review of the preliminary tree species palette for the expanded park by the
Task Force's Species Subcommittee.
Next Steps
If directed to proceed, staff will issue a Request for Proposals to provide design and
pre-construction services of phases 1 and 2 of the maste r plan. Staff will return to
Council by January 2020 for approval to negotiate an agreement with the selected
design build team. Approximately $4.7M has been identified in the CIP Budget for
design and pre construction services for this project.
Design
In response to feedback received from the advisory bodies and the community, several
elements of the project will be worked through in design of each phase, including, but
not limited to:
• Detailed layouts of diamond sport fields to support maximum playabil ity (sun
aspects, field dimensions, and amenities for players and spectators);
• Location and details for an off -leash dog run within the renovated and expanded
park;
• Parking capacity on-site and along the street;
• Location(s) for grouping the outdoor fitness equipment;
• Selection of tree species, canopy cover analysis, and a tree protection plan;
• Selection of playground equipment and shade provisions;
• Construction staging and schedule to limit impacts on existing park usage; and
• Definition of projects Low Impact Development (LID), energy code, solar code,
water neutrality, zero waste, and water efficiency strategies.
Operations and Maintenance
Staff anticipates there may be increased operations and maintenance costs associated
with expanding Memorial Park, dependent upon the final design of the project.
Estimates related to initial upfront costs, such as purchasing new equipment, and
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ongoing park maintenance would be determined once the project’s design is further
developed.
Funding Agreements
In 2016, Santa Monica voters passed Measure V, a Santa Monica College bond
measure that included $20 million in funding for construction of Phase 1 of the Memorial
Park Expansion Project. Staff is also working with Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District to identify additional construction funding for Phase 1 of the project from
Measure SMS bonds. It is anticipated that the contributions of College and District
funding will be conditioned upon allowing programmed joint uses of completed Memorial
Park facilities. Authorization is requested from the Council to enable the City Manager to
negotiate these agreements. Staff will also pursue other possible funding, including
grant opportunities, to supplement construction/implementation costs.
Analysis of Environmental Impacts
Upon authorization to negotiate and execute a fourth modification to agreement #9910,
City Planning Staff would work with Wood Environmental & Infrastructure Solutions
Incorporated in preparation of the Environmental Impact Analysis. The completed
analysis will be presented to the City Council for certification prior to approving full
design and construction of Phase 1 of the Memorial Park Expansion Project
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve funding from the General Fund to increase the amount
of agreement with Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions Inc. to provide
environmental impact analysis of the proposed master plan consistent with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and to add preparation of CEQA compliant
documentation to the existing Scope of Work; and authorize the City Manager to
negotiate agreements with both Santa Monica College and the Santa Monica -Malibu
Unified School District for funding contributions to facilitate implementation of Phase 1
of the master plan and shared use of the proposed renovated and expanded facilities at
Memorial Park.
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Agreement Modification Request
Agreement #
Current Authorized
Amount
Modified Request
Amount
FY 2019-20
CIP Account #
Total Revised
Contract Amount
#9910 $378,000 $149,000 C0107060.689000 $527,000
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Danny Welch, Architect
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. July 1, 1997 Staff Report
B. May 27, 2014 Staff Report (Web Link)
C. March 22, 2016 Staff Report (Web Link)
D. January 23, 2018 Staff Report (Web Link)
E. Memorial Park Master Plan Website (Web Link)
F. Rec & Parks Commission Written Comments
G. Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. Oaks Initiative Disclosure
Form
H. Written Comments
I. PowerPoint Presentation
Recreation & Parks Commission – July 18, 2019
Written comments received for Agenda Item 5b:
Review of Memorial Park Master Plan with formal recommendations for Council consideration
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Main Branch - Preliminary Test Fit
Site Plan
7/18/2019 Draft
Education Tech
Parking Garage Ramp
Offices Game Room
MiddleSchool
Lobby
Community Hub
Gym
*
ParkingGarage Entry
Entrance
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Main Branch - Preliminary Test Fit
7/18/2019 Draft
Level 1 Plan
Education Tech
Parking Garage Ramp
Offices Game Room
MiddleSchool
Lobby
Community Hub
Gym
Regulation Size
Basketball Court (94’ x 50’)
Bleacher Area
Restrooms / Changing Rooms / Support
Support
Storage Elevator/Main Stairs for Parking Garage Concessions
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Main Branch - Preliminary Test Fit
Level 2 Plan
7/18/2019 Draft
Outdoor Dining
Playground &
Basketball
Art
Teen Center
Multi-purpose Room& Kitchen
Music
Open to Gym Below
1
Anne Deasey
From:Community & Cultural Services
Subject:FW: Boys and Girls Club Double Talk
On Thu, Jul 18, 2019 at 8:48 AM Ellen Hannan <elhasm@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Parks and Rec Commissioners
I hope to be at City Hall tonight to speak for the children. As a former school nurse and fan of SAMOHI
basketball teams I know the importance of youth activities. Pleas question the so called good intentions of the
present board at the B&G.
Ellen
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ellen Hannan <elhasm@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2019 at 8:34 AM
Subject: Boys and Girls Club Double Talk
To: John Cyrus Smith <johncysmith@gmail.com>
To Parks and Rec Commission
Downtown cronies can't keep their lies straight. In the Boy and Girls Club letter in section 1 they state "land
cannot be sold" and in section 2 they state "by disposing of the land on Lincoln Blvd." they will be able to
afford to build at Memorial. This will remove a source of childcare for our area and low income workers in
downtown.
In other words the City wants the land for a large parking lot which has been on a number of the Peter James
Planning Department maps in the LUCE.
The Proper hotel developer has told me "we want to get rid of them".
It is the only low income provider for kids in Santa Monica. There is a fee for Crest programs and City
programs.
Boys and Girls provides safe and affordable DAY CARE all day during the summer.
It is possible to build on that site. They can use the playground and the building to the north which they
own. They can then remove the old structure for out door play.
The area and kids have put up with the construction of the hotel for years. Now the hotel can be inconvenience
for the good of the community.
Please do not fall for the misinformation. No one wants the Boys and Girls Club to be moved from
Lincoln. They programming there especially City wide basketball has united our youth from different parts of
the City.
I hope to be there tonight.
Ellen Hannan
1218 9th St
Santa Monica CA 90401
View this email in your browser
From:Steve Petran
To:Community & Cultural Services
Subject:Re: Memorial Park Master Plan
Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2019 9:18:55 PM
Boo. No swimming
On Wed, Jul 17, 2019, 7:41 PM Santa Monica Parks & Beach Improvements <ccs@smgov.net>
wrote:
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From:davidaleal
To:Community & Cultural Services
Subject:Re: Memorial Park Master Plan
Date:Thursday, July 18, 2019 11:12:59 AM
I think it is amazing whenever the city funds new sports facilities. A big concern is safety.
Will you please provide funding for security. At present I hear memorial park is wrought with
syringes, human feces outside of the bathroom, broken bottles of alcohol, and people
indecently exposing themselves. Many of these problems go unreported as the lack of
response by the city seems to deem the problem a low priority. I am sure these are not the
images of Santa Monica that will be considering the norm. I feel fortunate that my children are
adults, and did not have to witness this sort of conduct as children. I have lived in this city for
over 40 years and it is heartbreaking to see the negative trajectory.
Sincerely,
A very concerned resident
-----Original Message-----
From: Santa Monica Parks & Beach Improvements <ccs@smgov.net>
To: davidaleal <davidaleal@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Jul 17, 2019 07:42 PM
Subject: Memorial Park Master Plan
From:Travis Beller
Subject:Memorial Park - Dog Park
Date:Thursday, July 18, 2019 11:36:21 AM
July 18, 2019
City of Santa Monica
City Hall
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Honorable Mayor Davis,
City Council Members and
Recreation & Parks Commissioners;
I am a Santa Monica resident who supports maintaining the off-leash, dog park at Memorial
Park. Please do not eliminate the existing dog park from the proposed Memorial Park Master
Plan.
The Memorial Park dog park is a well-used, public space. It is the only off-leash, dog park
located north of Pico Boulevard.
And our Mid-City neighborhood is growing. The City is encouraging the construction of new
multi-family, transit and pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use developments to support the rail
system.
It’s a simple, predictable relationship: more residents and employees = more dog owners who
need a public space to exercise their dogs off-leash and socialize with other dogs.
We must maintain the Memorial Park dog park for existing and future residents. This off-
leash area for dogs should not be eliminated.
Please instruct City Staff to prepare a new design that preserves the fenced, off-leash dog park
at Memorial Park.
Sincerely,
Travis Beller
1423 14th St
APT C
Santa Monica, CA 90404
484-241-5526
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rosann.malloch@woodplc.com 805-896-7563
Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.
See attached list of company officers
None, Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. is 100% owned by Amec
Foster Wheeler Ventures, Inc.
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Vernice Hankins
From:daninla@twc.com
Sent:Tuesday, October 15, 2019 1:09 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:FW: Memorial Park Redevelopment Plan - Cricket
Subject: Memorial Park Redevelopment Plan ‐ Cricket
Hello Mayors and Councillors,
I would like to ask if would be possible to put an artificial cricket pitch (playing area) and cricket nets (like
a baseball batting cage except longer and open ended) into the Memorial Park redevelopment plan? The
pitch could be placed in the center of the baseball field (dimensions 22 yards long and 10 feet wide). It
would enable another use for the field.
Currently kids have no where to play cricket in Santa Monica. We have to travel to The Valley or Orange
County to play the game. As the worlds second largest sport it would be a great thing to have here. Also,
it brings together many communities from all different backgrounds.
If the plan for Memorial Park is already set perhaps a nets and a pitch could be placed at Cloverfield or
Marine parks?
Thanks,
Dan Tuffs
Item 8-A
10/15/19
3 of 3 Item 8-A
10/15/19
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Council Mailbox
Sent:Tuesday, October 15, 2019 4:59 PM
To:City Council Distribution Group
Cc:councilmtgitems; Rick Cole; Katie E. Lichtig; Karen Ginsberg
Subject:FW: Memorial Park
Council‐
Please see the below email regarding Memorial Park.
Thank you,
Stephanie
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Carrey, Neil [mailto:ncarrey@bakerlaw.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2019 1:55 PM
To: Council Mailbox <Council.Mailbox@SMGOV.NET>
Subject: Memorial Park
When the City finally bought Fischer Lumber it was with the idea of expanding and improving ball fields. Obviously doing
someone is long overdue. The plan being presented to you tonight is excellent and fulfills that promise. Please do not
disappoint the field users. Just adopt the plan as presented. Any further changes will further delay the process but more
importantly ruin an excellent idea. Thanks.
Neil Carrey
Sent from my iPhone
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CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
City Parks
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Existing Park Facilities
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
1.Maximize opportunities for fields with an emphasis
on diamond sports.
2.Consider community programs such as the
gymnasium, Santa Monica Police Activities League
(PAL), and fitness facilities.
3.Integrate appropriate buffering along busy vehicular
corridors.
4.Integrate the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Action
Plans.
5.Consider the park’s relationship to the surrounding
neighborhood and City context.
Project Goals
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Focus group discussions (April/May 2018)
Online survey (April/May/June 2018)
Community Workshop 1: May 23, 2018
Community Workshop 2: Au gust 13, 2018
Working Session with Diamond Sports Leadership: October 2018
Community Outreach Package 3 (June 2019)
§Materials posted to project webpage for public review and
comment
§Info booth at Memorial Park with City staff: June 1, 2019
§Presentation to Field Sports Advisory Council (FSAC): June 6,
2019
§Presentation to the Recreation and Parks Commission (RPC)
July 18, 2019
§Presentation to the Urban Forest Ta sk Force July 24, 2019
Community Outreach Process
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Conceptual Park Layout Options
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Community Hub
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Memorial Park Community Hub
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Memorial Park Entry at Colorado Av enue
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Master Plan
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Combo Fields
Yo uth Fields
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Te nnis/Pickleball Courts and Parking
The Cove and Community Recreation Center
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Memorial Park Entry at 16th Street
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Colorado Avenue Streetscape
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Estimated Cost of Design and Construction: $25-$30M
Estimated Construction Duration: 18-24 Months
Phasing & Pricing
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Estimated Cost of Design and Construction: $15-$18M
Estimated Construction Duration: 12-18 Months
Phasing & Pricing
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Estimated Cost of Design and Construction: $60-$68M
Estimated Construction Duration: 24-30 Months
Phasing & Pricing
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting –July 18, 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Main Branch –Preliminary Test Fit
Unanimous support with recommendations for consideration in design and implementation:
•California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) baseball field
•Off-leash dog-run
•Parking on 16th Street
•Field amenities –bullpens, warm-up areas, etc.
•Clustering fitness equipment
•Tr ee canopy
•Playground shade
•Field orientation (sun/shade)
Recreation & Parks Commission Action –July 18, 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
•Review and comment on the master plan layout and programmatic concepts for the
Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project;
•Direct staff to proceed with Request for Bids for design and pre-construction services
of Phases 1 and 2 of the master plan;
•Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a fourth modification to
agreement #9910 (PCD) in the amount of $149,000 (including 10% contingency) with
Wo od Environmental & Infrastructure Solutions Incorporated, a California-based
company,for preparation of the Environmental Impact Analysis; and,
•Authorize the City Manager to negotiate Fiscal and Use Agreements with Santa Monica
College and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District for capital improvement costs
for Phase 1 implementation.
Recommendations
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Re fe re nce Slides
Existing Conditions
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Main Branch –Preliminary Test Fit
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Main Branch –Preliminary Test Fit
Dog Run Options
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Solar Orientation Study
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Community Hub and Playground
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
CITY COUNCIL PRSENTATION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Combo Fields
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Considerations of Synthetic Turf
§Allows play year-round, no downtime for reseeding.
§Even playing surface, lower risk of ‘bad hops’.
§City of Santa Monica has an attendant at artificial turf fields during paid permit times.
§One surface allows for flexibility of layout for softball and baseball.
§Minimal rain outs, fields drain fairly quickly, less than an hour.
§Little to no water use.
§No need for pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.
§Non-rubberized fill is 15 degrees cooler that traditional rubber fill fields.
§Fields don’t need re-chalking before or in between games.
§Lower maintenance costs.
§Perceived health risk.
§Artificial turf holds heat more than natural grass.
§Feels different and plays slightly different.
§Tradition of dirt and grass fields.
§Higher initial construction cost.
Synthetic Turf
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
Seven Field Scheme
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTAT ION
15 OCTOBER 2019
REFERENCE:
Modified
Agreement No. 9910
(CCS)
&
Agreement Nos.
10952 - 10953 (CCS)