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Parks commission approves memorial bench, plaque and Southern magnolia at TeWinkle Park; arborist condition added
Summary
The commission approved a donor-funded tree, bench and plaque in memory of Sierra D'Alessandro to be installed at TeWinkle Park, with the city to install and maintain the planting; commissioners added a condition that a certified arborist be present at planting. Vote: 7‑0.
The Parks and Community Services Commission on April 10 voted 7‑0 to approve a donor-funded memorial bench, plaque and Southern magnolia tree to be installed at TeWinkle Park in memory of Sierra D’Alessandro.
The donation request — submitted by Mike and Carol D’Alessandro and reviewed under the council policy governing park donations — covers the cost of the tree, the memorial bench and the plaque. City staff said the bench design will match existing park furniture and the plaque will be installed in the concrete base in front of the bench. The family chose a Southern magnolia (described by staff as an evergreen shade tree with fragrant white summer blooms) for the site overlooking the upper West-side fill pond near a pedestrian bridge at the park.
Staff told the commission that donors pay for the donated items and the city supplies labor for installation; maintenance and long-term care remain the city’s responsibility. Staff also said the city recently instituted a small tree-care program with West Coast Arborists to monitor and care for newly planted trees, and that, if a donated tree fails, the city will replace it at no cost to the donor.
During the meeting commissioners asked about long-term tree care and whether families could help with simple tasks such as clearing weeds near the base. Staff replied that a maintenance contractor handles tree care and plaque upkeep and that the city’s contractor will address problems. A resident who identified herself as a family member spoke in support of the donation and described Sierra’s ties to Costa Mesa: Sierra had been a local resident, an Estancia High School graduate, an early employee of the city’s parks department and later a teacher.
Before the approval the commission added a condition requiring a certified arborist to be present for planting and to brief the family on proper planting technique; that condition was included in the motion. The final vote carried 7‑0.
Ending: Staff will coordinate installation and notify the family of the planting date; the city will assume long‑term maintenance and replace the tree if it fails.
