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Tustin to open inclusive Camino Real playground; Bark Barracks dog park to close temporarily for sod work
Summary
Staff told commissioners Camino Real Playground will open soon with inclusive features; Old Town improvements remain on schedule and the Bark Barracks dog park will be closed for about three to six weeks for sod replacement and overseeding.
Tustin City staff told commissioners the new Camino Real Playground is complete and will open to the public once the picnic shelter construction is finished, and that the Bark Barracks dog park will be temporarily closed for turf replacement.
Staff said the playground "came out fantastic," describing inclusive amenities such as accessible swings, a "mom-and-me" swing, an accessible ramp that allows wheelchair users to access the full structure and an interactive electronic play element. "This is your swings. You've got your, accessible swing and then your regular swings," a staff presenter said, emphasizing the inclusive design.
Staff said the playground fences may come down as early as the weekend and that an official opening will wait until the picnic shelter is complete. The project team will schedule a pre‑construction meeting for the shelter and share a more precise timeline at the next commission meeting.
In Old Town, staff reported the streetscape project is about 39.6% complete and that lane closures and work sequencing will continue through the summer; the project remains on track for completion in September. The city also discussed a multi‑phased, grant‑funded school‑yard project that was recently bid; staff said the low bid is scheduled for council award and that construction is expected to begin this summer with phased work extending into 2027.
On the Bark Barracks dog park, staff announced a temporary closure scheduled to begin May 11 and run through June 6 to replace sod on the large-dog side and overseed the small-dog side. Staff said Public Works Field Services will lead the work and that the city has notified dog-park followers through website posts and a text group.
Staff asked commissioners to anticipate the closure and said they plan similar periodic closures for turf rehab if the approach proves successful. "We're actually closing both sides. We'll be replacing some sod on the large because really the large dog side is the one that has the worst," staff said. The commission discussed coordinating timing with neighboring cities and possible staggered schedules to minimize disruption to dog owners.
What’s next: Staff will publish closure notices for the dog park, confirm an official date for the playground opening once the picnic shelter timing is finalized and report construction progress at future commission meetings.
