CITY OF GLENDALE

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION COMMUNITY SERVICES & PJ\RI<S DEPARTMENT

DATE: April 15, 201 3

TO: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission

FROM: Jess Duran, Director of Community Services & Parks

By: Emil Tatevosian, Park Planning & Development Administrator Marc Stirdivant, Grant Administration, Trails and Open Space

SUBJECT: Park Planning & Development Section Activity Report

The following are addressed in this report: I. Trails & Open Space II. Park Development

1. Catalina Verdugo Adobe Renovation 2. Maple Park Site Improvements 3. Maryland Avenue Park 4. Mountain Do Trail & Verdugo Catalina Trai l 5. Pacific Park Artificial Turf 6. Palmer Park Improvements 7. Riverwalk Project Phase II & Ill

I. TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE PROGRAMS Managed by Marc Stirdivant and Jeff Weinstein

Recently

o On March 161h, we conducted our regular Third

Saturday Wilderness Work Day at Deukmejian Wilderness Park, focusing our efforts on the restoration of the Park after the Station Fire. Twenty-two members of the community including two Cub Scout packs participated in tree watering activities, while adults worked separately to remove non-native plant species from the Park.

o On April 61h, we offered "Go Outside and Play",

a morning of fun and games in Glendale's

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Great Outdoors. This event was enjoyed by adults and children alike and featured outdoor play that emphasized learning about nature, team building, and leadership. The program took place in Deukmejian Park's picnic area, amphitheatre, grassy meadow, and trails.

Looking ahead

o On April 201h we will conduct our next Third

Saturday Wilderness Work Day. This continues to be a hugely popular program and especially at this time of year when the weather is perfect. This is ideal for families and students needing community service hours. The program runs from 8 a.m. to noon in Deukmejian Wilderness Park. No reservations are necessary.

• On Saturday, May 41h , Dr. Jim Adams of the

U.S.C. School of Pharmacy returns for the third straight year with his hugely popular "Medicinal Plant Hike". Dr. Adams leads a moderately strenuous hike through Deukmejian Park, pointing out native plants and providing insight as to how native people used these plants for medicine and tools. This hike always fills up so reservations are necessary by calling (818) 548-3795.

• On Saturday, May 181h, our Third Saturday

Work Day will move to the L.A. River and the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk as our Trails and Open Space program joins the Friends of the L.A. River for the Great L.A. River Clean­up from 9 a.m. to noon. The Glendale Narrows Riverwalk is an official L.A. River Clean-up sight. This will be a unique opportunity to work in the river to help keep it, and our Riverwalk, beautiful. This event is capped so interested volunteers must RSVP to (818) 548-3795.

• All Trail and Open Space, programs are sponsored by the Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation.

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II. PARK DEVELOPMENT

1. Catalina Verdugo Adobe Renovation Project Manager: Janet Tubbs

The historic site in Verdugo Woodlands contains an Adobe museum and other amenities. The project scope is to convert the garage structure (built in 1946) into a public restroom facility, remove existing wood trellis and masomy wall, extend the patio area, replace the existing severely deteriorated paving at the main pathway, and add festive lighting at the central patio area.

Council Action: August 28, 2012 - Council approved bid specification and bid release. February 12, 2013 - Rejected bids and directed staff to amend the scope of work and rebid . Anticipated Construction Commencement: June 2013 Anticipated Completion of Construction: September 2013 Current Status: On February 12, 2013, Council directed staff to reject all bids, amend scope of work, and advertise for bids. Bids were submitted, and the lowest responsive bid will be presented to Council for award in mid-May.

2. Maple Park Site Improvements Project Manager: Adrine Golnazarian

This project includes site safety and security upgrades, such as improved and expanded site lighting, site security cameras, ADA code upgrades, site furnishings, fitness equipment, and upgrades to the existing exterior restrooms and the tennis court.

Council Action: May 2011 - CDBG funds appropriated to the project; March 2012 -Additional CDBG funds appropriated; May 22, 2012 - Authorized execution of professional services agreement with Narduli Studio; March 2013 - Counci l approved design and appropriated additional funds for the project. Anticipated Construction Commencement: September 2013 Anticipated Completion of Construction: March 2014 Current Status: Design phase:

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o Consultant Team has completed concept and design development drawings.

e Per Council direction, the consultant is now preparing the construction documents.

3. Maryland Avenue Park Project Manager: Peter Vierheilig

The proposed park is approximately a 112 acre in size. The property was purchased in May 2003 by the City Housing Authority as a site for an affordable housing project; in November 2005, the City Council approved the site as a mini park location. California State Parks awarded a Proposition 84 grant in the amount of $1,724,000 for the design and development of the Park in November 2010.

Council Action: February 2012 - Approval of final park design; July 31, 2012 - Approved plans & specification and bid release pending minor plan check corrections; February 12, 2013 - Rejected bids and directed staff to revise scope and rebid. Anticipated Construction Commencement: June 2013 Anticipated Completion of Construction: December 2013 Current Status: Bid & Specification Document Phase:

e February 12, 2013 City Council directed staff to reject all bids, amend scope of work, and advertise for bids.

e The project was advertised for bid on March 29, 2013. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on April 11, 2013, and bids will be due on May 11.

4. Mountain Do Trail & Catalina Verdugo Trail Project Manager: Sean Toro

This is a design-build project for two new trails. The Mountain Do Trail is funded by a Federal Recreational Trails Program Grant through the State to convert an existing se1vice road around the soccer fields at the Sports Complex to a "fully accessible trail" specifically for users with mobility impairments. Existing road will be filled with a

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mixture of decomposed granite and soil stabilizer product; two large resting intervals with exercise/fitness stations, picnic tables and benches, interpretive signs, and native plant landscaping.

The Catalina Verdugo Trail is funded by a Los Angeles Competitive Trails Grant. This multi­purpose trail provides a 1. 7-mile natural surface trail circling the hills above the Sports Complex. The trail will meander in and out of the canyons and connect to an existing fire road (Ridge Motorway) at the lop of San Rafael Hills. Two sites along the trail will be designated as overlooks that provide for scenic views; benches, inte~pretive panels, and trail signs will be installed.

Council Action: May 08, 201 2 - Approved design-build specification and bid proposal release; August 28, 2012 - Council approved design and construction contract to Bellfree Contractors, Inc. of Granada Hills, California. Construction Commencement: March 1, 2013 Anticipated Completion of Construction: Spring 2013 Current Status: Design of the Catalina Verdugo Trail is 100% complete, and rough cutting is 100 % complete. The Mountain Do Trail is 80% designed, and rough grading began on March 1, 2013.

5. Pacific Park Artificial Turf Project Manager: Shahen Begoumian

The project involves the removal of the existing natural turf field, grading, drainage improvements, and installation of a new all-weather synthetic soccer field surface. Existing lighting will be enhanced for full coverage of the field and spectator safety. Spectator seating, shade structure, and minor fencing improvements will also be included.

Council Action: May 22, 2012 - Authorized execution of professional services agreement with David Volz Landscape Architects, Inc. Anticipated Construction Commencement: June 201 3 Anticipated Completion of Construction: September of 201 3

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Current Status: Design Phase: o Construction drawings & specifications

are ready. • Obtained Division of State Architect

approval on January 8, 2013. • Reviewing and finalizing Joint Use

Agreement with GUSD.

6. Palmer Park Improvements Project Manager: Sean Toro

The proposed improvements for this 2. 8 acre park includes safety/security upgrades that include replacement of existing site lights and installation of security cameras, ADA upgrades to the existing restrooms, improved irrigation system, improved walking paths, new fitness equipment, new children's playground, redesigned skate element, expanded and improved basketball cowt, new site furnishings, and esthetic and functional improvements to the existing picnic shelter and main entrance area.

Council Action: February 5, 2013 - Authorized execution of professional services agreement with Narduli Studio. Anticipated Construction Commencement: TBD Anticipated Completion of Construction: TBD Current Status:

• Kick Off meeting to conduct needs assessment was held on March 25, 2013. The meeting was attended by representatives from Recreation, Facilities Maintenance, Parks Services and Narduli Studio.

• A full survey of the Park is underway in order to begin the design process.

• Future meetings to discuss the design direction in more detail are scheduled in April.

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7. Riverwalk Project Project Manager: Peter Vierheilig

This project provides a multipurpose trail for hikers and bicyclists along the Los Angeles River. Phase I of the project, which opened December 12, 2012, includes an entry park, an equestrian trail head, a second small park area adjacent to the Disney/ABC7 facility, a rest area at the east end of Phase I, and intetpretive displays on the natural and infrastructural elements of the Glendale Narrows river corridor. These improvements are patt of a phased series of river projects proposed for the Glendale pori ion of the Los Angeles River.

Phase II, scheduled to open in 2014, will increase the trail length to slightly less than a mile and will add an entry plaza at Flower Street and a third park at the Verdugo Wash confluence.

Phase Ill will add bridges connecting Riverwalk to Notth Atwater across the Verdugo Wash and to Griffith Park across the Los Angeles River. The third phase is presently unfunded except for a preliminary engineering study of the Los Angeles River bridge, which will be completed in 2014.

Phase II Council Action: October 2011 - Approval of Proposition 84 River Parkways grant application for funds for the remaining elements of Phase II. July 2013 - Approval to execute a funding agreement with Los Angeles County Metro for the receipt of Measure R Highway Operational Improvement Funds for Phase II of Riverwalk.

Construction Commencement: June 2014 Completion of Phase II Construction: December 2014 Current Status:

• A $975,000 Proposition 84 River Parkways Grant and a $475,000 Measure R Highway Improvement Grant have been awarded to the Phase II project.

• Preparation of Proposition 84 and Measure R grant funding agreements is in progress.

• Staff will issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) to solicit consultant qualifications for Phase II.

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West Entry to Riverwalk

Spillway, floodgate wing walls with

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Phase Ill : Council Action: July 2013 - Approval to execute a funding agreement with Los Angeles County Metro for the receipt of Measure R Highway Operational Improvement Funds for Phase Ill of Riverwall<. Construction: Current Phase Ill funding is only for preliminary engineering of the Los Angeles River bridge. Funding is not available at this time for construction of either of the Phase Ill bridges. Current Status:

o A $600,000 Measure R Highway Improvement Grant has been awarded to the Phase Ill project for preliminary engineering only.

• Preparation of the Measure R grant agreement is in progress.

TQhis r::: haa : ted for informational purposes.

ran, Director unity Services & Parks Department

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