HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - ORCHARD PARK MASTER PLAN (2)Agenda Item: 19
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
Q) AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS A& Z. -
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14,2015
SUBJECT: OLD ORCHARD PARK MASTER PLAN
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services
PRESENTER: Rick Gould
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the Old Orchard Park Master Plan.
BACKGROUND
Old Orchard Park was constructed in 1968 and many of the original improvements including the
irrigation system are obsolete and do not meet current standards or are non-functioning. For
example, the irrigation system is incapable ofefficiently watering the park, and other amenities
such as the walkways, the parking lot, restroonis, and play equipment do not meet the
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and need to be replaced or refurbished.
The Old Orchard Park Master Plan presents an opportunity to rethink the park layout, address
deficiencies, and respond to current and future resident needs. Together with the landscape
architectural firm of Pacific Coast Land Design, staff has worked closely with the community to
develop the attached master plan for Old Orchard Park. The planning process consisted of an
extensive Community outreach effort that included stakeholder and community meetings, project
information and monthly updates on the "Santa Clarita 2020" webpage, an online survey and
questionnaires administered to park users resulting in over 120 responses returned to the City.
Approximately 100 individuals attended the three community meetings.
Staff believes that the planning process has resulted in a park master plan that responds to the
desires of the vast majority ofresidents that participated in the process. The new design focuses
on improved pedestrian access and safety, as well as enhanced quality, character, and appearance
ofthe proposed features. Highlights of the plan include the addition of a multi -sport court, an
intergenerational area comprised of game tables, exercise and seating areas, an active play zone
for younger children, and a nature -focused play area with climbing boulders and native
landscaping. The plan will also include the removal ofa 4,000 square foot maintenance area to
be improved with landscaping and paseo access to the adJacent elementary school. The existing
building that currently houses a park office, meeting room, and restroom will be remodeled to
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remove the office, update the restrooms, and generally make better use of the space.
While the large turf area and ball field will remain, a significant amount of turf will be removed
from the perimeter of the park, with native and drought -tolerant plants installed and served by a
low volume irrigation system. The design consultant estimates that the new design will
accomplish a 30% reduction in water use. Finally, the proposed plan will incorporate low -
impact development principles to capture and treat run-off from the parking lot and other
impervious surfaces.
The Old Orchard Park Master Plan was presented to the Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services (PRCS) Commission on June 4, 2015. The PRCS Commission unanimously supported
the master plan and recommended approval to the City Council. Two members of the
community representing the Old Orchard 11 Homeowners Association addressed concerns at the
PRCS Commission meeting on the original location of the trash bin storage building and the
maintenance equipment parking area, both of which were proposed for the west end of the park,
adjacent to Lyons Avenue. Staff and the consultant revised the plan to move the enclosure
building to the parking area and the maintenance vehicle parking area to a strip of park property
off Avenida Rotella. Staff subsequently met with the residents that attended the PRCS
Commission meeting and have received their Support for the plan as presented in this report.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
Proposed Master Plan
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