Agenda Item Wording:
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Approval and appropriation of the Harrell Family Trust donation for the proposed enhancement project at Harrell Grove Park, to include the addition of outdoor fitness equipment and irrigation improvements.
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Deadline for Action: 5/1/2023
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Alvin Dias, Parks and Facilities Manager 713-4564; alvin.dias@visalia.city <mailto:alvin.dias@visalia.city> Kelli Kincaid, Community Services Director 713-4042; kelli.kincaid@visalia.city <mailto:kelli.kincaid@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the recommendation by the Visalia Parks and Recreation Commission and appropriate the $48,250.00 Harrell Family Trust Donation and create a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to enhance Harrell Grove Park which includes the addition of outdoor fitness equipment and irrigation improvements.
Background Discussion:
The City of Visalia received a monetary donation of $48,250.00 from the Harrell Family in March 2022. This donation was designated to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department to continue to provide parks and green spaces throughout the City of Visalia.
Staff met to identify areas that would benefit the most from the donated funds, several areas were considered, before staff identified Harrell Grove. The City had received funds from the Harrell Family for construction of the park several years ago. The recent donation will be used to enhance the space. The original irrigation system that was installed during construction has been damaged by the growth of many of the trees installed. Over the last few years, staff has recognized that the now large established trees were not receiving efficient water. This has been even more damaging to the trees after several years of drought, as the trees have become more dependent on the irrigation system to survive. Another area of the park where funds could help improve are the amenities. Harrell Grove currently has seating benches, a swing set, and a four-person teeter totter. The originally installed steel slide was removed because of safety concerns.
Staff assessed the condition of the current irrigation system and amenities. In assessing the irrigation system, staff found that it was powered by an old battery-operated controller and utilized small bubblers to water the trees. One of the easiest solutions to improve watering of the trees would be to upgrade the irrigation controller and install drip rings around the trees where the single bubblers were installed while the trees were much smaller. The drip rings would ensure water is being delivered to the entire root system around the tree and could be metered for slow deep watering, better suited for mature trees. The drip irrigation material is also relatively inexpensive when compared to trenching and adding more bubblers to each tree.
Additionally, through the park assessment, staff took notice of the walking paths throughout the park and how they tied into the nearby St. John’s Trail. Staff started to strategize how to utilize the walkways in the park with the trail. Using some of the ideas from the proposed recharge basins at the future East Side Regional Park project site, staff explored adding fitness stations along the walkways in the park. After researching equipment costs and installation methods, staff proposed a 10-station Fit Trail exercise system which would be within budget, complement the existing landscape of the park, and diversify the usability of the park space, making it a more active park. It would also make Harrell Grove a destination point for people using the St. John’s Trail to increase health and movement. Users could utilize the fitness stations to workout at the park and then walk or ride a bike through the St. John’s Trail.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff is recommending to appropriate the donated funds of $48,250 to enhance Harrell Grove Park. All of the donated funds will be used for this purpose.
Prior Council Action: None
Other: The project was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a recommendation to City Council on the use of the Harrell Family donation during the July 12, 2022, meeting. In this presentation staff presented Commission with the scope of the proposed project to include irrigation improvements and installation of ten (10) fitness stations at various locations around the interior walking path of the park. After reviewing the information presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission a unanimous recommendation was made to recommend the project to City Council.
Alternatives: Recommend the use of the Harrell Family Donation for a different project in the park.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Accept the recommendation by the Visalia Parks and Recreation Commission and appropriate the $48,250.00 Harrell Family Trust Donation and create a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to enhance Harrell Grove Park with the addition of outdoor fitness equipment and irrigation improvements.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Commission Power Point Presentation