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HomeMy WebLinkAboutV-7 - Bayside Park Renovation(Item V -7) October 6, 1998 • COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Arts & Cultural — Library - Recreation - Seniors To: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission From: Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager Re: Bayside Park Renovation RECOMMENDATION Make no changes at this time to the park and allow for natural growth patterns to develop. Direct staff to monitor landscape development and the ongoing condition of the decomposed granite. BACKGROUND In the Summer of 1996 it was determined by staff of the Community Services and General Services Departments that the existing playground equipment, the tot lot configuration, and surrounding landscape at Bayside Park needed to be replaced, remodeled and renovated. The areas of concern were safety, security, play value and aesthetics. The playground equipment was made of poorly conditioned wood and the design did not meet current safety standards. The wood used for tot lot border and bridges was in a very hazardous condition. • The overall playground layout site design was poor in that it was split up and featured a swing set on the opposite side of the sidewalk close to the street. The landscape consisted of overgrown shrubs that allowed for the presence of vagrants and a large coral tree that created a dangerous threat to the resident building north of the park. In the initial planning stages, contact was made on site with a representative group of park users in September 1996. At that time volunteers from this group went door to door to the park neighbors to solicit help or get input on the general site plan of the park. A Capital Improvement Project to renovate the Bayside Park area between Iris and Jasmine was proposed and approved in the FY 1997/9& CIP budget. A landscape architect was selected and original site plans, incorporating input from the park user group, were developed. On October 7, 1997, the site plan was presented to the Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission for approval on the general renovation concept. On October 10, 1997, the architect and staff from Public Works, Community Services and General Services held an onsite meeting to receive neighborhood input on the plan details (see attached notification letter). Staff utilized this input to make revisions to the plan. Construction documents were completed and a bid process was conducted before actual construction started in June 1998. On September 14, 1998, City Council approved completion and acceptance of the Bayside Park renovation project. The 60 -day maintenance period for the park will end Saturday, • October 24, 1998. There are no additional funds allocated for this park. Bayside Park Renovation Page 2 Letters Regarding Resident Concerns - During the construction phase of this project, staff received letters from Ms. Shirley Conger, July 16 and 29; Ms. Janet Rappaport, August 21; and Mr. Keith Dean, August 28; regarding concerns they had with park design and conditions in the park. The following is a list of these concerns and their current status: More trees should be added to the existing 'landscaping so that some of the former greenery can be recaptured. After evaluation of the park landscape in place, seven additional trees were planted on September 25 They were strategically placed to enhance the park's landscaping concept. • In an effort to attenuate sound, additional trees and bushes need to be planted between the residence adjacent to the tot lot, and a barrier of shrubs should be planted along Bayside Drive. Shrubs should have never been cut down. The resident disputes Police Department reports that a vagrant problem ever existed. In time, the growth of the existing trees and shrubs will address the noise and sight issues Moreover police reports confirm that there was a consistent presence of vagrants in this area The attached Police Department report explains that the situation has been much improved since the landscape has been renovated. • • The new design of the park has created a safety hazard in that it lacks a landscaping barrier along Bayside Drive to deter children from following a ball into the street. The new design has created a landscape barrier between the tot lot and Bayside Drive. The grass area closest to Iris Avenue is broken up with walkways and landscaping and is not designed or conducive to ball playing. • There should be no ivy used in the new landscaping. Ivy in the park will create the presence of vermin. The replanted ivy will cover much less of the landscape, but will keep a presence consistent with the entire parkway along Bayside Drive. Along with this renovation project, General Services staff has completed an overall cutback of the shrubs and ivy along Bayside Drive that has helped control vermin and will follow up with a comprehensive abatementprogram, if necessary The inner side of the park wall adjacent to the neighboring house should be plastered consistent with the park side of the wall. This has been completed per City Council direction. • Park benches need to be realigned so that bench users do not have to be located right . next to the tot lot. Tlie design of the bench placements does focus on the tot lot but does not preclude alternative users I00 Bayside Park Renovation Page 3 • The new concrete walkway should be replaced with asphalt due to the glare and ugly look of the concrete. Concrete is an appropriate surface for this site. A green barrier should be be installed between the adjacent residence and the path around the tot lot, and the circular path around the tot lot should be a completely hard surface. During construction three trees have been planted in this vicinity. The lack of a concrete path near the residents house was designed so as not to encourage foot and rolling traffic on that side of the tot lot. • The new playground equipment has been installed closer to the adjacent residence than previously. The main play structure is now actually further from the most adjacent residence, than the original equipment and the closest piece of equipment is an infantswing set. • Decomposed granite located around the resident side of the tot lot path and two accent areas should be replaced with concrete. Tthe DG surface is unsafe and hard to maintain. • The decomposed granite safely serves as a park walkway alternative. The purpose for the placement of decomposed granite on the resident side of the tot lot was to have it available for access, but not promote this area for heavy bike, skateboard or foot traffic. The two small areas of decomposed granite serve as accent points and do not create a hazard. Decomposed granite is approved by the American Disabilities Act as an accessible surface. • A bicycle rack should be installed on concrete that replaces decomposed granite. Staff will evaluate the need for a bicycle rack and if needed select viable location. • The playground sand needs to cleaned and cleared of building and construction debris. Staff has directed the contractor to clear the debris from the sand and following the maintenance period, park maintenance staff will conduct regular cleanings In the planning and construction phases of this park renovation, staff has made a commitment to listen to and work with the residents, including whose concerns are cited above. This cooperative effort incorporated much of their input. While there have been many specific personal requests and ideas expressed in the design of the park, staff believes • that with the approval of the Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission, the resulting enhanced park design incorporates state of the art elements that'the City of Newport Beach park users can utilize and enjoy for many years to come. Attachments /6/ �J 4kiryof Newport Beach OMMUNITY SERVICES • n LJ September 29, 1997 P.O. BOX 1768, 3300 NEWPORT BLVD NEWPORT BEACH, CA 9:658.8915 Dear Resident and/or User of Bayside Park, PHONE 714.644.31'51 FAX 714.644.3155 The City of Newport Beach has allotted funds to renovate the playground equipment and surrounding area in Bayside Park located on Bayside Drive between Iris Avenue and Jasmine Avenue. In an effort to discuss the details of this upcoming project with those residents who live by and/or utilize this park site, staff has scheduled an on site meeting on Friday, October 10 at 9:00 am. Staff representing the Departments of Public Works, General Services and Community Services, along with project design architect Bob Pedersen, will be in attendance to answer questions or respond to comments. Please call me at 644 -3151, before or after the meeting, if you would like to discuss this project. Sincerely, Steve'Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager cc Marcy Lomeli, Parks Superintendent Marla Matlove, Senior Civil Engineer iva- C` C. SEP -22-98 02:20PM FROM-118PO COP +919 - 614-3700 T-467 P.02/02 F-986 EMPLOYEES REPORT Suglect REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - -- BAYSIDE DRIVE TRANSIENT HISTORY' DR Numper N/A Date and Time Occurred Location of Occurrence 12500-3200 RD BLOCK BAYSIDE DRIVE 44 To:(Raw Name,Assrgnment,D vision) SGT. M. MC DERMOTT Date and Time Reported W22198 1200 HAVING BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE CORONA DEL MAR AREA FOR THE PAST FIFTEEN t YEARS, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SOME PERSONAL INSIGHT INTO THE LOCAL TRANSIENT POPULATION. HISTORICALLY, IT SEEMS WE EXPERIENCE A LARGER INFLUX OF TRANSIENT SUBJECTS DURING THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS. THIS OCCURS AS A RESULT OF AN ANNUAL MIGRATION THROUGH OUR AREA. SUBJECTS FROM THE NORTHERN CLIMATES MIGRATE SOUTH TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND MORE TEMPERATE REGIONS TO SEEK WINTER EMPLOYMENT. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERIFIED THROUGH VARIOUS CONTACTS WITH TRANSIENT PERSONS ENCOUNTERED IN THE CDM AREA OVER A SEVERAL YEAR' PERIOD. IN YEARS PAST, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD RECEIVE NUMEROUS CALLS FROM RESIDENTS COMPLAINING OF TRANSIENTS TAKING REFUGE NEAR THEIR RESIDENCES. THIS WOULD TYPICALLY OCCUR IN AREAS OF HEAVY OVERGROWTH_ ONE OF THE MORE COMMON AREAS OF CONCERN WERE THE GREENBELT AND PARK AREAS ALONG BAYSIDE DRIVE BETWEEN CARNATION AVENUE AND MARGUERITE AVENUE. THERE WAS HEAVY OVERGROWTH, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF BAYSIDE DRIVE WHERE THE PARKWAY BORDERED THE PRIVATE RESIDENCES. TRANSIENTS COULD SET UP A MAKESHIFT.ENCAMPMENT AND NOT BE VISIBLE TO PASSING MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS. IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO GET SEVERAL SUCH CALLS ON A DAILY BASIS. RECENTLY, AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE 400 BLOCK OF IRIS AND JASMINE AVENUES, CITY MAINTENANCE CREWS REMOVED MUCH OF THE OVERGROWTH ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF BAYSIDE DRIVE IN THE VICINITY OF BAYSIDE PARK AND THE CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND. CALLS PERTAINING TO TRANSIENTS HAVE DIMINISHED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE AREAS ARE'NOW OPEN, TO PUBLIC VIEW WITH LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ENCAMPMENTS. IT APPEARS THE CITY'S EFFORT HAS PRETTY MUCH ELIMINATED THIS LONG - STANDING PROBLEM. SEVERAL AREA RESIDENTS HAVE VOICED THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE CITY'S RESOLVE TO THIS SITUATION. Supervisor Approving ID No. Reporting Officer(s) ID No Date and Time Reproduced and Drstri uteri CIerK OFC. M. EVERTON 561 vary Fwm n Inc- w361 !03