Salinas approves conveyance of Ensign Park (Car Lake) from Big Sur Land Trust

The Salinas City Council voted to accept a donation of approximately 73 acres known as Ensign Park (Car Lake) from the Big Sur Land Trust and authorized the mayor to execute a conveyance agreement to transfer the site to the city.

Library and Community Services Director Kristen Lundquist told the council the conveyance covers a two‑phase project: phase 1 is a six‑acre neighborhood park with a front house deed‑restricted for moderate‑workforce affordable housing and a second house reserved for park‑related uses. Phase 1 must be conveyed by March 2025; staff said the city and the land trust are working to open the park in summer 2025. Phase 2 will add restoration work on roughly 67 acres, with construction expected to begin in spring 2025 and public access planned for spring 2026.

Lundquist said the Big Sur Land Trust will complete the phase 1 and phase 2 improvements and transfer the land to the city for $0. The trust will retain access for restoration work during phase 2, may hold up to four events per year, and will be permitted to install public art and signage. Staff told the council that the conveyance is consistent with the city’s general plan and that an initial study and mitigated negative declaration adopted Sept. 14, 2021 found no significant environmental impacts after mitigation.

Speakers who addressed the council in support included Margaret D'Arrigo and Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa, both of whom described site tours and praised design and community input, and Jeanette Tuitteilli Lewis of the Big Sur Land Trust, who said the project leveraged grants and private philanthropy. Council members asked about long‑term maintenance funding and staff said a range of funding options and a friends group will be developed; staff said a staffing plan to reach standard acreage‑per‑maintenance‑worker ratios is already in progress.

The conveyance resolution passed on a roll‑call vote. Council members Barajas, Barrera, Dirigo, De La Rosa, Salazar and Sandoval recorded yes votes and Mayor Donahue cast the mayoral vote; staff recorded the motion as approved.

Why it matters: the transfer adds park acreage to a city that staff described as having a park‑acreage shortfall, creates an on‑site workforce housing restriction for the front house, and establishes a multi‑year restoration and public‑access program on a property that has been in development since the early 2000s.

Implementation notes: staff told the council they will return with funding recommendations and possible stewardship arrangements to support maintenance needs, and that grant and philanthropic relationships will be used to seed long‑term stewardship.