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Council reviews $4.7 million Duarte Park Phase 2 design; dog-park, parking and outreach draw questions
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Summary
Design consultants presented a Phase 2 plan for Duarte Park that includes an inclusive playground, restrooms, a pavilion, security lighting and an off-leash dog park, with a probable cost of $4.7 million. Councilmembers pressed staff on community outreach, loss of green space and phasing (parking and a community building are planned in later phases).
Dallin Group and city staff presented conceptual designs for Phase 2 of the Duarte Park revitalization project to the City Council, including an inclusive playground, a prefabricated restroom and the addition of an off-leash dog park separated for small and large dogs.
"Phase 2 incorporates the design and construction documents for an inclusive playground, a park gazebo, restroom, designated off leash dog park for smaller and larger dogs, a basketball court, and a new park monument sign with landscaping enhancements and security lighting," the project's presenter said.
Landscape and architectural designers described how the plan addresses ADA accessibility, stormwater LID requirements and site grading constraints. The team highlighted a site-specific design language drawing on Duarte—s 1908 bridge and proposed custom site elements such as a laser-cut city-logo bike rack and a themed play feature. The consultants offered a probable cost estimate for the shown scope of about $4,700,000, noting design and construction contingencies would be refined as drawings move toward 100%.
Councilmembers questioned outreach and phasing. Councilmember Lewis said he did not recall neighborhood survey results and expressed concern that the dog park would reduce green space; staff responded that the city held three in-person community meetings, targeted mailers to affected households and that council previously received and filed a conceptual design. Staff emphasized that the original master plan was broken into phases during the CIP workshop: Phase 2 is the current design scope, while a parking lot and a new recreation/community building were scoped for later phases and would require additional council direction and budget.
Members also discussed amenities and procurement details. Designers said the proposed prefabricated restroom and limited maintenance area come with an installed rough-order-of-magnitude cost of roughly $420,000; staff compared that to a prior park restroom procurement that totaled about $330,000 (unit plus installation) and noted differences in scope and inflation. Councilmember Truong asked whether Measure A funds were being used; staff said annual Measure A allocations are being applied to Phase 1 and estimated Duarte—s current Measure A revenue is about $80,000 per year.
Several councilmembers praised the overall vision and asked staff to ensure the design remains flexible so future phases (parking or a community building) could be accommodated. City Attorney Tai Fan and staff said they would provide written documentation of the outreach and survey materials to the full council and that the project will return for CIP and budget deliberations before final approval.
No final project approval or construction award occurred at the meeting; council provided design feedback and direction to staff on documentation and next steps.
