[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6562790,"mediaKeyId","3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba","parentId",3242670,"title","Commissioners push for stronger public-facing outreach: Earth Day booth lessons and concerts in park ideas","audioSeconds",958,"startMs",671000,"endMs",1629000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba&start=671&end=1629","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba/thumbnail_671000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562790/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commissioners-push-for-stronger-public-facing-outreach-Earth-Day-booth-lessons-and-concerts-in-park-ideas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562790-d04c881b280c5438afcdfc2768134308/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196187&Signature=jA01fziyt6JjqMx2HL44RJ9OzYwIUiN8GXUhzVslqdp94TwgrY-qK92NJNJqdiHN6wpIuxdIMDJvS14F4dLSRaBUsV0To5JJxrdg1tP--dQaULpsyarZ0lTReZ-ayFPIFpiYNs1hwdIalFfaQv0x7cl9159ENMtMuRBgLbMoRJDU0ijl9mGJJ~WVaJzS8N9OjGbbNkMTFYM4kh0veYm2hOUNt9JDqzPfhmyFy9SGUcVMX3ijR-L8z1EFnxLQZE-rZ5Q2zErUC2uvJ3HQdkBTpn3XETBQQbXpqrwuZR9TyJSKKdZVRrEiXbrh4zy-xwwc817qzwWOzfl8etVhW4Exig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Costa Mesa","date","2025-05-08T22:08:45Z","article","Commissioners who staffed the Parks and Community Services booth at Earth Day and attended spring events urged staff on May 8 to improve outreach materials and public engagement for future events and concerts in the park.

Several commissioners said the commission’s presence at Earth Day drew meaningful one-on-one conversations but could be more visible. Commissioner Houston praised the event turnout despite rain and suggested next year the commission develop a livelier booth to explain commission roles. Commissioner Ledger and Chair Brown said a graphic presence, handouts and business cards would have helped; Ledger suggested taking the booth to concerts in the park.

Commissioner Ledger and others reported common public requests included more park restrooms and water fountains and programs that serve multiple age groups and abilities. Vice Chair Wright suggested simple interactive elements—she mentioned a bubble machine to draw families—rather than single-use giveaways, and urged inclusion on event stamp-card activities to boost traffic to the booth.

Commissioner Garcia Arcos and others asked staff to apply the draft core values to existing programs (for example, the mobile recreation program) to test how outreach and community-centered planning would look in practice. Commissioners also discussed outreach for low-income families to access bike-safety and helmet giveaways and suggested staff consider targeted outreach to Title I schools.

Ending

Staff said they will incorporate the feedback into future event planning and improve the commission booth, including graphics and ways to invite broader participation at concerts and community events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission Meeting May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following Earth Day and other events, commissioners recommended more engaging outreach—better signage, materials, stamp-card inclusion and interactive elements at concerts and booths—and requested staff return with improvements.","taxTitle","Costa Mesa, Orange County, California","taxId",3682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562795,"Commissioners describe ranger ride-alongs, cite encampments and vehicle shortages at some parks",277,664000,941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba&start=664&end=941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba/thumbnail_664000.jpg","/articles/6562795/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commissioners-describe-ranger-ride-alongs-cite-encampments-and-vehicle-shortages-at-some-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562795-3552b0809ce79cfadc8b13c8687c0fb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196187&Signature=cjQVY3GRUBDlMjyEAT-x-5iGgsPefbc2Hhohg6aOFdkdwy632QAk9XTS94-lcAm8k7JTP0ryNtJRjTGLRCCIP~XJ5yOrsJ09nCuvxrC8T6Z5qJHSURqv7kF7Y7jIFOP4qM8RKlVLPwyZcKvr2vWUd8fYmSq74dCRYdEaLEUqpoSwoTq0z-MA2K11h3Dw9vBlkWSKPiVr~qRKcpVRQVS0N5F4TqUYDlyt2weo1I7TUtNdLCLfgZ4tY6-1bO-4snhRyJBycfvjsC4siuV~ht9TPRZp5cs0DOVKLJZxkqwP2H01Zm4oefO3iIm48CFewIc-V2wfNTRr3tWO2H57Jvo72A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Costa Mesa commissioners reported results of ride-alongs with park rangers at the May 8 meeting and raised concerns about homeless encampments, ranger staffing and vehicle availability.

Commissioner Houston described a morning ride-along in which rangers assisted with an arrest and showed the commissioners the day-to-day frontline role rangers play. \"The key takeaway to me was that the park rangers, they really are the front line when it comes to safety at our parks,\" Commissioner Houston said.

Houston told commissioners she observed roughly \"30 to maybe 40 people\" living in homeless encampments on the boundary of Lower Talbert and Randall Preserve and noted rangers have regular personal familiarity with the encampment residents. She also reported that the department currently has three ranger vehicles available for seven park rangers, creating coverage constraints.

Commissioners discussed a long‑running Harper Park issue where a ranger parks on a school field during weekdays to manage dogs off leash; commissioners said freeing that ranger for patrols or adding vehicles could increase coverage. Vice Chair Wright and others asked staff to follow up on the disparate ride-along experiences and whether the vehicle shortage is typical or an anomaly from a single shift.

Director Gruner said staff will follow up and report back to commissioners on staffing deployment and vehicle availability.

Ending

Staff will evaluate ranger deployment, vehicle inventory and options to reduce encampment impacts and will report findings at a future meeting.","After several commissioners completed ride-alongs with park rangers, the commission discussed homelessness encampments near Lower Talbert and resource constraints for rangers, including fewer vehicles than rangers on staff. Commissioners asked staff to follow up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562799,"Commission receives department update covering community gardens, aquatics and upcoming events; approves consent calendar 6-0",818,1747000,2565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba&start=1747&end=2565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba/thumbnail_1747000.jpg","/articles/6562799/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commission-receives-department-update-covering-community-gardens-aquatics-and-upcoming-events-approves-consent-calendar-6-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562799-5a8affe50d0f83e2c33e2455c5e77179/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196187&Signature=DJqZJAg8dkYPuNnoY5Kw-0yeailsAlL8KIIrGh3MYLsjk8od443FK1wK~Qd7V6EkiOo3GOLWf2YLc~WQWbPowA4y8lD9mvCV4YomzWG3-45O3SwJHRqUO48NDRPtatBqgduzEAtHoLsxu~N6f97apLDDZWC7uadza97l9LavIvau~AWBfN6G0~7Dv8MI4gDgDcbuVzKMY3UuKqR4O~obqop86P~lixGDEX53eYKLB0BGGgh6CyxKnyaFrjrFmQQfUIftfLaJU0E57HM05JsLesMMoWB8fHuZDBZeYAtb7m5lRBNKAvV2jUrc8FPXY8BeaJWLS~Fqidn1-NNLrX5aeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Department presented an update on May 8 that covered community gardens, aquatics programs and capital improvements; the commission voted unanimously to receive and file the minutes and the department report.

Director Gruner gave a broad update and highlighted events and project work. Senior Recreation Supervisor Ashley Thomas reported the city operates two community garden sites — Del Mar (established 2003) and Hamilton (established 2014) — and announced David Smith as the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) District 10 Volunteer Merit Award recipient for his work supporting the Hamilton and Del Mar gardens.

Senior Recreation Supervisor Kevin Stoddard and Recreation Coordinator Jose Guzman presented aquatics and water-safety activities in honor of Water Safety Month. Staff said the Downtown Aquatic Center hosted a spring-break water-safety camp in partnership with Hogue, and the city is providing free swimming lessons to 48 College Park Elementary students in collaboration with Newport-Mesa Unified School District; the Ben Carlson Foundation donated suits, towels and goggles for participants. Open registration for summer aquatics programming begins May 13 and the season starts June 9.

Director Gruner also listed capital-improvement highlights: batting-cage installation at TeWinkle Sports Complex (expected completion June 2025) and completed asphalt resurfacing at Baleary Community Center with forthcoming basketball hoop installation and activity striping. Staff referenced grant opportunities with GameTime and CPRS and noted Fairview Park planning continues with a June 3 anticipated council briefing.

The commission voted 6-0 to receive and file the minutes and department report. Commissioners praised community engagement at Earth Day and asked staff to improve outreach materials for future events.

Ending

Staff will follow up on Fairview Park master-plan timing and finalize community-garden and aquatics outreach materials for summer programming.","The Parks and Community Services Department presented program updates including community gardens, aquatics programs and Fairview Park events; the commission voted 6-0 to receive and file the minutes and the department report.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562804,"Commission approves memorial bench at TeWinkle Park to honor Dorothy Webster Jones",555,5954000,6509000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba&start=5954&end=6509","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba/thumbnail_5954000.jpg","/articles/6562804/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commission-approves-memorial-bench-at-TeWinkle-Park-to-honor-Dorothy-Webster-Jones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562804-da5491dfdcb2660fd34d55c7eb36b4bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196187&Signature=arp-skZQkQY0siBw8UMF~V8kR2R8n-Zz9f79NMsx3v4LrtO9QvnHdImWz9aYomWUoYKrvrWnGpfrZEEq~jLtzETa5snQIEyYZuX4xHvVIUrnJcuHO9L130ouGZb7AiK5nDeyA40NXKSyeEMt2eJmX8vMew5lSe152BQD3vUmy0PussMHz6A9W-Ki9-MFtzohiJDd2qjxP~USYmb4AFT8WRoELkXvoBAVElD2f9zg1XOfFhHy4Lo0dwWELisKYwtthnvAf0Ms-16YRCF33Q94RFYtBdbzU6aOt7s~31SNOZwaxrC7VPlTrhBybWk1h~cmVSaXWxx15lhdoiYvK7vpTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission on May 8 approved a request to accept a donated memorial bench and plaque to be installed at TeWinkle Park in memory of Dorothy Webster Jones.

Staff recommended approval after reviewing the proposed location on the east side of the lakes near the lower fill pond and confirmed the bench would be outside the scope of a pending lake rehabilitation project. The donor, identified in staff materials as Linda Clough, would cover the cost of the bench and plaque; city staff will handle installation as part of regular duties.

A family member who attended the meeting said the site is frequently used by the donor’s great-great-granddaughter. \"My daughter Olivia goes there five days a week, typically for two to three hours,\" the family member said, voicing enthusiastic support for the location.

Staff showed commissioners a photo of the proposed bench location and a sample ground-mounted plaque. Staff noted the fiscal impact on the city would be minimal because the donor pays for the bench and plaque; staff performs the installation. The commission approved the donation 6-0.

Ending

Staff will schedule installation at the approved site and follow the council policy for donor memorials; commissioners asked staff to confirm final plaque wording and exact placement with the donor before installation.","The commission approved a family donation of a bench and plaque to be installed at TeWinkle Park; staff found the site suitable and the donor will cover costs. Vote 6-0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562809,"Parks commission narrows core values for capital projects, agrees to formalize review process",2871,3189000,6060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba&start=3189&end=6060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242670-4d424b42507eb6907c25df4b43f99dba/thumbnail_3189000.jpg","/articles/6562809/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Parks-commission-narrows-core-values-for-capital-projects-agrees-to-formalize-review-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562809-a94e724f0a46b26eb1e4082790e312fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196187&Signature=Cs9FvpcC1Ab4QIHJO3dQ5vQE8B8oJH8u7UqRcNjV7Iy~Uxm6Q7GwZNF5D7UebzMqgQ-DrVM0eLu~d89WTC6XPkpIOMSa-jIaC4UbJfmsFz6mLHhjvCDXL5b4tTe6fCKRiVpP70-o2mW5whfVOkqhGV3CNzlajfYCOkGfb5sGGy2RwtONVaJ9OWMdRWWaVwo3YW~Ro56D49MlH4ou849xKSJ23suS5n48wCXaZUTm5R9hiefg1-W2u3YcnzwEV9esDeszS2a6CLkQHvjlsMF9vr0YWYd2anmfBX5odITdOfryXcPWz3RRnd29AEI20ilfVVzaqO1pRlP6~yznlSjPEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission on May 8 continued work on a draft set of core values intended to guide park capital-improvement decisions and voted unanimously to ask commissioners to submit written feedback and to agendize formation of a subcommittee to finalize an implementation framework.

The discussion built on a March conversation and centered on six proposed values: equity and access; sustainability; community-centered planning; safety and maintenance; innovation and optimization; and economic and social benefit. Director Gruner, the department head, told the commission the next step is to convert those values into a rubric or matrix to help prioritize projects when the parks assessment is complete.

\"The idea behind this is to formulate a... matrix that we can utilize, as we're doing the parks assessment study,\" Director Gruner said, describing staff plans to supply a draft framework for commission review. Commissioners debated whether some values should be foundational (woven through every decision) and whether other values should be weighted for prioritization when budgets are tight.

Vice Chair Wright called for short-term versus long-term priorities tied to funding availability, and several commissioners proposed a visual format—pyramid or matrix—so the council and public can see how values translate to ranked projects. Commissioner Kamala urged that \"equity and access and community-centered planning\" be treated as foundational lenses that inform other priorities.

Rather than finalize the structure immediately, the commission voted 6-0 to: (1) ask each commissioner to email comments and suggested edits to staff within the coming weeks and to indicate whether they would serve on a subcommittee; and (2) agendize the creation of a potential subcommittee at the next commission meeting for formal consideration. Staff said it will coordinate with the city clerk on subcommittee procedures and return a packaged recommendation that applies the commission's feedback to a draft rubric.

The commission emphasized that the document is a working tool to be revisited annually or when budgets change and said staff would aim to present a clearer visual and practical scoring method for the next meeting.

Ending

Commissioners agreed the next meeting will include a summary of emailed commissioner input and a staff-prepared draft that illustrates how the values could be scored against sample projects before any subcommittee is finalized.","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission discussed six draft core values to guide park capital improvements and voted to collect commissioner input and agendize a possible subcommittee to develop an implementation rubric.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners push for stronger public-facing outreach: Earth Day booth lessons and concerts in park ideas

Commissioners describe ranger ride-alongs, cite encampments and vehicle shortages at some parks

Commission receives department update covering community gardens, aquatics and upcoming events; approves consent calendar 6-0

Commission approves memorial bench at TeWinkle Park to honor Dorothy Webster Jones

Parks commission narrows core values for capital projects, agrees to formalize review process