TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a right-of-entry permit with Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, a non-profit organization, to allow access to construct a playground at the 21st to Hill Mini Park, near the Los Angeles River between 21st Street and Hill Avenue, on a date to be determined. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Association (WANA) recently submitted a grant application to KaBOOM!, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., to install new play equipment at the 21st to Hill Mini Park. KaBOOM!, whose mission is to provide a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, teams up with their national funding partners and local community organizations to build playgrounds. These playgrounds are community built, as KaBOOM! believes that the experience of organizing and creating a community-built play space is as important as the play space itself. As such, they partner with community organizations instead of with public agencies. The local community will be involved in the planning and organization of the build day activity, as well as the actual construction of the playground. The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the execution of this right-of-entry permit on October 21, 2010 (Attachment).
The 21st to Hill Mini Park is a small park located in the Wrigley area that currently has no recreational amenities. New play equipment at this location will provide a safe, exciting, and interesting place to play for the neighborhood children. This community-built playground will be a collaboration between WANA, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, and the residents surrounding the park.
One of the requirements of the KaBOOM! grant application is that the community partner (WANA) must demonstrate they have ownership of the property where the playground is to be constructed or authority from the property owner (City of Long Beach) to build a playground at the site. An agreement between the City of Long Beach and WANA is required to authorize the construction of the playground on City property. If approved, the agreement would include the following terms:
· Location: 21st to Hill Mini Park.
· Term: A period of one week in 2011, dates to be determined by KaBOOM!.
· Volunteers: All volunteers organized by WANA shall complete City of Long Beach volunteer applications and sign City of Long Beach Volunteer Waiver forms, as required by the City's Risk Manager.
· Play Equipment and Play Surfacing: All material and equipment for the playground shall be approved by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, prior to the community build day.
· Maintenance: Upon completion of the new playground, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine will maintain the playground and equipment.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on December 18, 2010, and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager Lou Palmer on December 1, 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY
If the grant application is successful and a KaBOOM! playground is constructed at 21st to Hill Mini Park, the play equipment will have recycled material content. In addition, the play surface will be wood chips, a non-toxic material made from a renewable resource.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 4, 2011 to enable the prompt execution of the right-of-entry permit.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PHIL T. HESTER
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION
AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER