Council authorizes Pacific Grove Cares projects at Chase Park West and Caledonia Park; agreement to be drafted

The Pacific Grove City Council authorized Pacific Grove Cares, a newly formed volunteer 501(c)(3), to proceed with two volunteer-led landscape-refresh projects at Chase Park West and at the Caledonia Park / Tommy Stillwell sign area and asked staff to finalize a limited agreement with the organization.

Project details: Pacific Grove Cares proposed to reestablish historic walking paths and plantings at Chase Park West (the park area on the west side of Ocean View Boulevard adjacent to the previously renovated Chase Park East) and to refresh planting around the Caledonia Park/Tommy Stillwell sign near the post office. The nonprofit said volunteers will perform ongoing maintenance, hire local horticultural contractors for work requiring expertise, and contribute a minimum initial donation of $33,000; volunteers will sign waivers.

Permits and tree work: Staff indicated both sites lie in the coastal zone and that coastal-development requirements will be addressed. The group identified one tree in Chase Park West for further arborist review; any tree removal would follow the city's public posting and approval procedures. Staff estimated city staff time and incidental costs at about $7,800 for processing and limited staff support; the council asked that future similar projects document staff impacts and suggested a simple standard agreement template for city use.

Council action and terms: The council voted unanimously to authorize Pacific Grove Cares to work on the two properties, and to direct staff to assist with implementation subject to a formal agreement to be prepared between the city and Pacific Grove Cares addressing liabilities, roles and staff responsibilities. Councilmembers asked staff to prepare a simple, consistent volunteer/partnership agreement to govern future civic volunteer projects.

Why it matters: The action sets a model for civic/private partnerships to address park and streetscape maintenance at limited city cost, while requiring documented roles and an agreement to protect public interest and to clarify staff involvement.

Next steps: Pacific Grove Cares and staff will submit coastal applications as needed, post any required tree notices for review, finalize the partnership agreement and, upon permit clearance, begin the volunteer-led plantings and path work. The council requested that the agreement include a not-to-exceed threshold for city staff costs and that similar projects follow the same process going forward.