Montebello commission hears multi-site ADA and playground upgrades, funded largely by county grants

The Parks and Recreation Commission on March 19 received updates on a newly opened City Park playground and a program of ADA and concrete repairs that staff said will begin the coming week.

Senior analyst Lori Aguular summarized the playground, which had its grand opening on March 14. She said the structure is ADA-compliant and built to support ‘‘physical, cognitive, sensory and social development.’’ Staff described three slides, multiple climbers, four ground-level elements (including a hand cycler, a ground-level climber, an echo chamber and bongos) and 13 elevated components reachable by ramp transfer.

Staff said the playground project was funded with LA County grant dollars (RPOSD measure 8 was referenced on the record). Public works staff described a separate but related package of sidewalk and concrete repairs awarded in 2025 that will add accessible routes and targeted concrete slabs behind dugouts and along access gates at Grant Ray Park, an ADA path into the Reggie Rodriguez Park playground, and targeted concrete and ramp work at Chet/Hollyfield Park. Staff also said two new ADA-compliant paths of travel will be installed at City Park to connect parking and the playground.

When a commissioner asked whether benches or shade would be added near the new playground, staff said there are currently no planned new benches adjacent to the playground and pointed to an existing bench near the service road as the closest seating.

The presentation noted other accessibility improvements at the municipal golf course and that several of the repairs are intended to improve spectator access behind baseball dugouts and to connect existing walkways. No formal action was taken; staff said construction would begin under the publicly awarded contract.