[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6526225,"mediaKeyId","3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479","parentId",3802516,"title","Parks department reports batting cages opening, Bel Air striping and Fairview volunteer growth","audioSeconds",475,"startMs",1715000,"endMs",2190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479&start=1715&end=2190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6526225/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Parks-department-reports-batting-cages-opening-Bel-Air-striping-and-Fairview-volunteer-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526225-e50e984c6c7b6747e77a5aba73e1f0c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206177&Signature=OGHxxnEBQs2K3wHysI~wHEEOXRbTGi8cdS~GUqSSrZJ~g2fnqqX6AGF1GmeDo7PzD8Xx~djI8K6bSP4rp5VAGKS4ZTKtNKn1dTQtKaoXm-74dBi2r1relWQybxK7~13ZsLEp0CDNzna32QH7trO4EJMXmjGlQSd-5p6ibUPnIAfx4PTUj5RGdS9DVlCUNc-Sv0E-haOghzBFUEhLoblKWbsDOwur0xptdzp1-2H1y94ygF6MnDm2LhGJqvhQeBo-OW-mYNGnVoI62KA47wLTqaL7xg6nH9GEBcyL5HVT~hQ5ocgDI1EvKIf1uPSQBa1vQVFStCGPkDF39oC2hupLOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Costa Mesa","date","2025-06-12T22:57:33Z","article","Director Gruner provided the Parks and Community Services Commission with a monthly update on department activities on June 12, noting recent project completions, program offerings and upcoming milestones.

Gruner said the new batting cages at TeWinkle Athletic Complex had an opening ceremony on June 3 and that Mayor Stevens and Council Members Camarillo and Beaulieu attended. Work at the Bel Air Community Center asphalt was complete and staff expected striping and hoop installation to be finished shortly. The department’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year was approved by council with no significant changes for the parks department, Gruner said.

Gruner reviewed aquatics programming — youth and adult swimming lessons, private lessons, intro to water polo, aqua aerobics, open swim, adult lap swim and a summer aqua camp — and highlighted upcoming events including Dive-In Movie Night (July 18), Summer Luau (Aug. 1) and a teen Dive-In Night (Aug. 22). The department also plans concerts in the park in July and a Make Music Costa Mesa Day event on June 21 at Lions Park.

On Fairview Park, Gruner reported the volunteer program has grown to more than 30 registered volunteers who meet regularly for habitat restoration. She reminded the commission that the Fairview Park master plan will be reviewed by council on July 15, when technical findings and consultant recommendations are expected to be presented. Staff noted that nesting season runs through September and that staff will seek to minimize impacts on nesting wildlife when planning events and construction.

Gruner asked commissioners to promote department programs and outreach opportunities and answered commissioner questions about TeWinkle lake repairs (staff expects to bring a contract to council in August with construction in the fall), tree protection during projects and surfacing choices for playgrounds.

The commission accepted the update and moved on to new business items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission Meeting June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Director Gruner reported on recent parks projects and programs at the June 12 Parks and Community Services Commission meeting, including the June 3 opening of the TeWinkle batting cages, pending striping at Bel Air Community Center, a flat parks budget for the coming fiscal year and expanded volunteer work at Fairview Park.","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},6526238,"Commission approves Brentwood Park redesign with sand play area, art component",6381,2989000,9370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479&start=2989&end=9370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479/thumbnail_2989000.jpg","/articles/6526238/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commission-approves-Brentwood-Park-redesign-with-sand-play-area-art-component","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526238-5733c05e32775aa3ef94748b2af08c33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206177&Signature=omkSH4fyAgqwXquTlVpitDWvqeiVGNMNLKP221e2ZvT-sZVp80YET0Y0nGQNjaAVGWiATVqCBYsSbbbGOUD8pwc~EH1K3pydT-TgNcH6A8lmGea95Stt~bXrqncTtvS~ZzwawPoT1AHoAUfA8PTHEbay3uc8XvumHNXTYfA6WTcEF9C41zIdKilgz4Uv4NnaO5xx2kJ7bqdVkz1b8xi04bfuCJhkdBzykNsQH9rL2K-9auTB~D1k4PhLjT0Iaz-uO35VFkD8FaxthGejeoa6LaMB~Hou3hkevH3hkzWWw8nc2se-OVsbKFNNR-3VUWoUibfyLH10M-B0nD-cqWY7GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission on June 12 approved a conceptual design to replace the playground and other amenities at Brentwood Park, voting 6-0 to accept staff’s amended recommendation to include a small sand play area in the toddler zone and to pursue an art component near the playground.

The decision follows a months-long community outreach process in which staff recorded about 473 survey responses and hosted multiple pop-up events. City staff said the project is in the city’s capital improvement program with $650,000 allocated for the work and staff is applying for a matching equipment grant through a partnership with GameTime and the California Parks and Recreation Society; staff estimated the GameTime-related grant could provide up to about $50,000 in equipment funding and the application is due July 7.

The redesign replaces play equipment installed in 1995 with two separated play areas — one for children ages 2–5 and one for ages 5–12 — and adds accessible features, swings, an inclusive spinner and seesaw, benches, shade structures, LED pathway lighting upgrades, a water fountain and a decomposed-granite (DG) walking path that connects Monte Vista and Brentwood Street. Staff described a “tree-fort” design intended to preserve the park’s mature trees and said no tree removals are anticipated.

Maintenance manager Rob Ryan and Director Gruner presented photos of cracked and rusted panels on the existing structure and described repeated repairs over the years. Ryan said the proposed layout keeps the playground largely within the existing footprint and adds two age-appropriate play zones, rubber and wood-fiber surfacing in the larger play area and a sand option in the toddler zone; the commission voted to adopt the sand option for the toddler area to enable a small bike/trike loop around that area if budget permits.

Public comment at the meeting was strongly supportive. Nine-year-old Sage, who identified herself as a local resident, told the commission she has attended meetings and led a petition drive: \"I have been trying to get a new playground since I was 4,\" she said. Neighbors and frequent park users described daily use by families and urged rapid action to replace the rusting equipment, citing accessibility issues for older and disabled caregivers.

Commissioners pressed staff on tree protection, potential lighting impacts to adjacent backyards and the trade-offs of adding fencing. Ryan said fencing was not included in the design and warned that adding fencing would either force a smaller play area or require a complete redesign because of required fall zones. Staff agreed to use tree-protection measures during construction, to consider directional shielding for lights to avoid backyard intrusion and to use smaller equipment to limit root compaction.

Construction could begin in the fall and staff said they expect to finish the playground portion before December to meet grant timelines; staff also said the grant requires completion by early next year and that city council action will be required later for contract awards to purchase equipment and for a separate construction contract.

The amended motion approved by the commission asked staff to pursue the proposal as presented, include community-minded art features as feasible, and implement the toddler-area sand option to allow a small cycle track if the budget allows. The commission recorded the approval as 6-0.

The approval sends the conceptual design forward; staff will return with final contract recommendations and schedule details for council approval before construction begins.","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission on June 12 approved a conceptual design to replace the playground and other amenities at Brentwood Park, voting 6-0 to accept staff’s amended recommendation to include a small sand play area in the toddler zone and to pursue an art component near the playground.",{"_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},6526230,"Commission accepts donation of magnolia tree and plaque for Tanager Park",120,11102000,11222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479&start=11102&end=11222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479/thumbnail_11102000.jpg","/articles/6526230/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commission-accepts-donation-of-magnolia-tree-and-plaque-for-Tanager-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526230-505b218e358b9618b6d62c09724ccbcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206177&Signature=IH2KjJTne4d2hes1~iBp4ryWE6hm~d1IHG8Ee~EioVN9X62zVH4m58ZMMCi9zxJGE2viHdch2NLXEaAjN4rBiPs9z~Ko-g5-9zw4JxhAPUsiDMM8VoLHUp6H3Au7aNGx4PZ4FuZrer3rS4AROC61ehddPEmslOZ2w-vz4fdkTHrvhserUYqgUFRR4KtEjOirrtNXRI6usSSuWH~bcKWbp~nc2RcmO4v88n3RUoD1mqMCLyfTzRqEZOkNCVv7K4LFTdq-d8CSxGsqvWM0hVMLeDvivmmBH4F5AHbVkm8JDVkqXMchFK3KSYrLcwgXy1omdoReHEPTUGcCZYVVUpVPPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Community Services Commission on June 12 approved a request to accept and install a donated memorial tree and plaque at Tanager Park, voting 6-0 to accept the recommendation.

The donor, Natalie Hill, requested the tree and plaque be installed in memory of her mother, Claudine Rosine Hastings, who taught French and lived in Costa Mesa for many years. Staff recommended a Magnolia ‘Samuel Summer’ to be planted on the east side of Tanager Park near a DG walking trail and the pickleball/play area; staff said the donor will pay for the tree and plaque and city crews will plant the tree and install the plaque.

Staff said the site and species were reviewed and considered appropriate for the park and that installation will have minimal fiscal impact to the city because the donor is covering the material cost and staff will supply labor as part of standard park maintenance work.

Commissioner Ledger made the motion to approve staff’s recommendation. The commission carried the motion 6-0.","Parks commissioners voted 6-0 to accept a donated memorial magnolia tree and plaque for Tanager Park, to be planted and installed by city staff on land identified by the donor; the donor will cover the cost of the tree and plaque.",{"_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},6526233,"Commission forms ad hoc subcommittee to craft CIP principles and values",221,10975000,11196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479&start=10975&end=11196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3802516-452b6c6ac7d755152d925ccd26a6c479/thumbnail_10975000.jpg","/articles/6526233/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Commission-forms-ad-hoc-subcommittee-to-craft-CIP-principles-and-values","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526233-1c5d1175729277e12253180dcad03e8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206177&Signature=bAii5xlmal6IlRbFbb4JMZ9a4kCzA-3KK5gSlbJh~colpCAhknewWFvkZVkwni3NuvEKwyBXccPIEfv76gB4-6xR5hRZV53M5aR1wJN0EDAQTW6QM8RO9xXd98A20zG~xYc7Y--BEngLHBqKgXICkKlS5w14vNwkAmb6ycI~ZYpFF~-SB4RG--DGf7tvQh3b44CwdEbu3CVEI5kdxhgAaGtV~H7ePppQ2W~jD~x4chrTC8XL3g-R561JH6OwzzbtsUj1dScUO-WjAF9uMN~WYgwZEWsHCormg76Bq9K~NjPVLoeTOTbyOxogLQHt9-997IXPsbIBXQ4IbR8LIWawFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission on June 12 formed a three-member ad hoc subcommittee to draft a clear, practical principles-and-values framework for evaluating park capital improvement program (CIP) projects.

The commission approved the subcommittee by a 6-0 vote. Chair Brown appointed herself and identified Commissioners Garcia Arcos and Ledger as members; commissioners described the group’s role as producing a concise, easy-to-use rubric that commissioners and staff can apply when prioritizing projects for future CIP cycles.

Director Gruner said the city historically presented CIP project lists in a quasi-final form and commissioners asked for a more transparent approach in which the commission can contribute earlier in the process. Under the plan discussed at the June 12 meeting, the subcommittee will meet during July (two to four short meetings was suggested) to synthesize written submissions from commissioners and prepare a draft framework. The draft will be presented to the full commission at the August meeting and further refined before being used to inform the November–December CIP review timeline.

Public commenters and commissioners emphasized equity, community-centered planning and sustainability as priorities for the framework. The commission received written suggestions in advance and several commissioners summarized key points on the record: community engagement and measurable criteria; sustainability and updated plant lists; and a scoring rubric that balances neighborhood needs, safety, accessibility and long-term maintenance costs.

A representative from Santa Ana’s parks commission called in to offer a related best practice: combining a 10-minute park-access measure with a park-equity analysis to prioritize areas with the greatest need. Commissioners said they want the final product to be short and practical — one-page guidance that staff and council can apply — and not merely a philosophical statement.

The subcommittee is scheduled to report preliminary work at the August meeting, with additional full-commission review and public input sessions planned thereafter.","The Parks and Community Services Commission voted 6-0 on June 12 to create a three-member ad hoc committee to develop a concise principles-and-values framework to guide future park capital project priorities; the subcommittee will report back at the August meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks department reports batting cages opening, Bel Air striping and Fairview volunteer growth

Commission approves Brentwood Park redesign with sand play area, art component

Commission accepts donation of magnolia tree and plaque for Tanager Park

Commission forms ad hoc subcommittee to craft CIP principles and values