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Hemet advances $8.5 million concept to reimagine Western Park, council favors mobile stage
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Summary
Council directed staff to advance a community‑chosen concept for a multi‑generational redesign of Western Park — including a splash pad, full basketball court and flexible amphitheater — and authorized ad hoc follow-up to refine features and pursue grants.
The Hemet City Council on April 14 backed staff’s recommendation to advance a community‑informed concept to reimagine Western Park as a multi‑generational civic plaza, approving the concept and directing an ad hoc committee to finalize design details so the city can seek grant funding.
Public works staff and consultants from Community Works Design Group presented three concept options developed after robust outreach, including online surveys and in‑person events. Consultants said option 3, featuring a splash pad, an amphitheater/assembly area, playground upgrades, demonstration gardens and a possible full basketball court, won community preference. The estimated concept budget presented to council was $8,500,000.
"We are here tonight to present the proposed reimagining of Western Park, an effort that seeks to revitalize the historic public space in the heart of the city," Public Works analyst Eric Bunge said. Consultant Analicia Escobar Gomez said the team structured outreach to bolster state‑park funding opportunities and reported strong support for safety, shade, family amenities and water play; she added that option 3 prevailed in public voting.
Council favored cost‑saving options such as a mobile, wheel‑in/wheel‑out stage instead of a permanently affixed amphitheater and discussed tree‑planting choices to preserve historical symmetry in the park. Staff warned the council that operating a larger splash pad could add annual maintenance costs in the range of roughly $30,000 to $80,000 depending on features; councilmembers discussed phasing certain amenities and recommended the ad hoc finalize selections before the June grant deadline.
Council voted unanimously to advance the concept, pursue grant funding and ask the mayor and Councilmember Peterson’s ad hoc to return with a more detailed recommendation. Staff said construction, if funded, could be two to four years out and suggested timing could align with the park’s centennial.
