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Parks commission outlines work plan priorities for council, flags CIP timing and outreach
Summary
At its April 23 special meeting the Parks and Community Services Commission reviewed accomplishments and set 2026-27 objectives including a community garden program review, dog-park assessments, recreational fee evaluations, and a schedule for a late-fall CIP review; commissioners emphasized integrated park assessment, public engagement and joint-use agreements with schools.
The Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission reviewed its year-to-date accomplishments and sketched a work plan to present to city council, identifying capital project timing, outreach and program reviews as priorities for 2026-27.
Director Gruner summarized the commission'9s recent work: a commission CIP evaluation protocol; seven approved memorial donations; recommendations on skate-park conceptual designs and Brentwood Park improvements; contributions to the FY26-27 CIP recommendations; and review of the urban canopy and playground assessments. Upcoming objectives listed by staff include presenting an annual working plan to council, assessing the community garden program, evaluating a new dog-park location, reviewing recreational fees after a consultant study, and updating the park ordinance.
Commissioners used the conversation to prioritize topics for the presentation to council. Several urged a late-fall CIP review to align commission recommendations with council budget cycles. Vice Chair Wright said the commission should refresh its understanding of joint-use agreements with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to explore opening school fields in park-poor neighborhoods, and asked for park-ranger data and performance information on the BrightView landscaping contract.
Commissioner comments stressed outreach and data collection: multiple commissioners supported using concerts-in-the-park and a proposed picnic/farmers-market event as public-engagement venues for community gardens and other priorities. Commissioners also discussed pilot ideas for dog-park enclosures, ADA-accessible raised beds, opening community centers to the public on rainy days, and public-private partnerships (for example vendor activations or a small summer ice-cream pilot) to improve park activation without large new capital costs.
The commission agreed to consolidate these priorities into a concise presentation (six to 10 slides) for council and to return with a drafted slide set at the May meeting. No formal votes were taken on policy changes during the meeting; staff will coordinate refinement of the working plan for the council presentation.
