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Hercules Park updates, Founders Day schedule change and safety plan top Feb. 24 agenda
Summary
City staff reported continued high use at the new Hercules Park, plans for additional cameras, landscaping and disc golf, and a change to Founders Day parade time; the police department presented a CPTED-based safety plan for parks.
City staff updated commissioners and council on Hercules Park improvements, downtown Main Street activity and a newly drafted safety plan at the Feb. 24 meetings.
Hercules Park: Gail (CRA/parks staff) and other staff told the board the Hercules Park grand opening was well attended and that staff will add cameras, lights and screening plantings to address sight-line and neighbor concerns. Staff reported tree loss from a recent storm and said an arborist will return to prune and assess trees; staff also said they are pricing a small disc‑golf layout in a treed area and ordering additional trash receptacles and bag dispensers.
Staff also said pavilion numbering and an online reservation system will be implemented so residents can reserve pavilions and staff can reduce phone traffic. Commissioners asked staff to prepare signage and online booking information and to consider a first‑come, first‑serve policy with online reservations available to reduce conflicts.
Founders Day and Main Street: Main Street staff announced the Founders Day parade time will move from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. after feedback from vendors and participants. Main Street staff also reported low parade sign-ups (11 currently) and urged broad community promotion; they said the event program will include a car show, art show and 5K and noted competition from other regional events. Main Street also reported increased social‑media engagement and ongoing work with interns to boost promotion.
Food trucks and infrastructure: Staff said Hercules Park includes bollards equipped with electric power so food trucks can plug in rather than run noisy generators. Designated food-truck parking behind the park is planned to reduce disruption on the park’s front edge near commercial properties.
Safety plan / CPTED: At the Council meeting the city police chief presented a safety plan that incorporates CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles. Sergeant John Olsen has completed CPTED certification and the department will begin quarterly CPTED reviews of parks and public spaces. The plan calls for logging observations, recommending lighting and sight-line changes, targeted enforcement of leash and litter laws, and more patrol visibility. Staff noted some lighting infrastructure was deferred during park construction but that conduit and bollards were installed so the city can add equipment later.
Public comments: Residents who used or inspected the park praised the design and attendance but raised concerns about screening near 301 and a chain-link fence area near the 301 entrance that staff said may be in DOT right-of-way. A community member urged more volunteer-driven cleanups, and staff said the city has a community cleanup planned in March.
Ending: Staff said they will return with specific proposals for additional lighting, pavilion signage and reservation procedures, and with cost estimates for disc golf and screening plantings. Police will share CPTED reports with staff and council as the quarterly reviews proceed.
