South Gate parks staff lay out FY2025–26 goals, warn funding is flat; splash pad pushed by residents

Parks and Recreation staff told the commission on Dec. 12 that the department’s goals and objectives for fiscal year 2025–26 were shaped by the expectation that overall funding will be flat or reduced, and that the department must prioritize repairs and a limited set of new projects.

Residents used the public-comment period to press for a splash pad at South Gate Park. Martin Meeks Jr., who identified himself as a South Gate resident, said he reached a contact at the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District who told him both allocation and competitive Measure A grants could be used for splash‑pad design and construction but not ongoing maintenance. "We can do this," Meeks said, urging commissioners to add the splash pad to the city’s capital-improvement priorities and to combine Measure A and CDBG funds to pursue construction by 2026.

Staff told commissioners Measure A is one of several funding sources and highlighted that some Measure A awards include a maintenance-and-servicing component that can help with ongoing costs — a contrast with many grants that fund construction but not operations. Staff also said the department will consider supplemental budgeting for capital items if projects are not purchased in the current fiscal year.

Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between repair and new amenities. Director-level staff said the first priority is putting a roof on the auditorium because it is leaking; that project has funding for the original estimated cost but will require designers and may be bundled with other roof projects, which can lengthen the design process. Staff described prior decisions to use maintenance-and-servicing funds for shade structures and playgrounds when that approach saved money compared with other options.

The department reported it received six master-plan proposals (five valid) and will review them over the winter, with a likely recommendation to the commission in February. Commissioners noted that past master plans prioritized maintaining existing park infrastructure and urged staff to be mindful of community requests — benches/bleachers at diamonds 9 and 10, additional restrooms near the fields, and more programming at Hollydale Regional Park.

Staff warned that hiring is constrained: several coordinator positions (youth/teen coordinator, marketing coordinator) are vacant and recruitment will be pursued early in the year only if funding allows. Staff said many programs, including senior excursions, consistently fill to capacity.

The commission voted to receive the goals and objectives report for the record. The motion carried.