TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application to California State Parks through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008, for the development of a new mini park at 851 Orange Avenue, at a total estimated cost of $722,465. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
On November 7, 2006, California voters passed Proposition 84, the $54 billion Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, to provide capital funding for water quality and park programs. Subsequent enabling legislation authorized $368 million in Proposition 84 grant funding for the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008 (Park Development Program).
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is proposing to apply for $722,465 in grant funding through the Park Development Program for the development of a new 0.3-acre mini park at 851 Orange Avenue. The proposed mini park is the former location of an apartment building that was acquired by the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA), which was razed due to a combination of illegal activity and neglect to the structure. For many years, the community has requested that a park be constructed in this park-deficient neighborhood, and the RDA identified this site as a good location for a new mini park. Due to its small size and linear nature, the site is only suitable for passive recreational activities, such as picnicking, a children's play area, and for enjoying the outdoors with friends and neighbors. Through a partnership between the City and RDA, several public meetings where held so that the community could select the design and amenities for the proposed mini park (Attachment A). Currently, there are only 0.11 park acres per 1,000 residents within one-half mile of the site, which is far below the Citywide goal of eight acres of open space per 1,000 residents. A mini park at this loc...
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