Staff outlines summer events, Sheridan Park playground replacement and field renovations

Community services staff briefed the commission on an extensive summer program schedule, upcoming park projects and field renovations.

Recreation supervisor Karen Lee previewed summer camps, a community adaptive summer picnic that enrolled 28 participants, an upcoming pool tournament, the July 4 parade and festival at Santana Park with an evening fireworks show scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., and the Movies in the Park series. Lee encouraged residents to register for events online and said many events are free or low cost.

Parks staff reported a contract award for Sheridan Park playground replacement to My Con Construction (identified in the transcript as the successful bidder, which is also the contractor building the city’s splash pad). The Sheridan Park project is funded by a Community Development Block Grant; staff said equipment is on order and construction kickoff is planned for July with an anticipated completion around October 2025. Park staff said the new playground will use hybrid surfacing and inclusive equipment.

Field renovations will begin after July 4 with midseason aeration already completed; staff noted Citrus Park was on a separate schedule because of league use and is expected to reopen by late July. Staff described renovation activities as sanding, sodding bare areas, fertilizing and top dressing; pre- and post-work walkthroughs with leagues were planned. Parks staff also reported an $8,000 donation from the Corona Parks Foundation to install new drinking fountains (including dog bowls) and additional bike racks at selected parks.

Parks and trails staff described recent Corona Beautiful cleanup events, a shift to 8 a.m. summer start times for volunteer cleanups and the volunteer sapling-planting activity planned for Father’s Day cleanup events. Commissioners praised staff for outreach and programming and asked for clearer labeling of locations on publicity materials.