Title
Adopt a Resolution of Intent to initiate the development of an Inclusive Playground at Toro Park by Tatum’s Garden Foundation (TGF), and authorize the RMA Director/Interim Parks Director to work with TGF to achieve this end
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a Resolution of Intent to initiate the development of an Inclusive Playground at Toro Park by Tatum’s Garden Foundation (TGF), and authorize the RMA Director/Interim Parks Director to work with TGF to achieve this end
SUMMARY:
The Tatum’s Garden Foundation (TGF) a local non-profit organization, has offered to plan, design, build and establish a fund to maintain an inclusive playground at Toro Park (Attachment A - TGF Proposal). The TGF is proposing to develop the inclusive playground following the same process and approach that was done with the City of Salinas. The process and method is very specific and its success relies on the public outreach, design and implementation, including raising the necessary funds, all voluntarily done by willing community members. Once complete, the finished project would be gifted to the County. Long-term maintenance would be the responsibility of the County (RMA/Parks). However, TGF proposes to establish a maintenance fund to help offset County costs to care for and maintain the Inclusive Playground areas.
Earlier this year, the Parks Commission supported the TGF proposal to develop an Inclusive Playground at Toro Park - in concept - and established an Ad Hoc Working Group to assist in the effort as well as help identify a possible location. The preferred location within Toro Park was determined to be the Quail Meadows Group BBQ Area. To formally initiate the community outreach, fundraising, design and construction effort, the TGF has requested that a Resolution of Intent by the County be adopted, which would consent to the proposed use of an area in Toro Park to build a privately funded Inclusive Playground and allow the TGF to begin their community outreach and fund raising activities.
DISCUSSION:
The TGF completed a similar effort to develop an Inclusive Playground at Sherwood Park in the City of Salinas and feels confident about their vision and process to plan, design and develop a similarly successful Inclusive Playground at Toro Park. As outlined in their proposal and the Resolution of Intent, TGF has committed to the following:
• Be responsible for all costs, services and activities necessary to complete the project
• Have control over the community outreach and design process
• Retain and manage Leathers and Associates, a firm who specializes in community design and development of public playgrounds
• Coordinate the work with Leathers and Associates and other project sponsors and oversee the community volunteer development and implementation effort
• Ensure that the project complies with all applicable codes, ordinances, requirements and mandates, etc.
The Parks Department embraces these generous offers and in the recently completed Parks Department Strategic Plan one of the goals under financial stability is the collaboration with other non-profit organizations to increase the role of philanthropy in building and sustaining the County’s park system.
As noted above, the TGF requests that a Resolution of Intent by the County be adopted so they may begin their community outreach and fund raising activities to build a privately funded Inclusive Playground.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a minor alteration of land (CEQA Guidelines Section 15304). The Resolution stating the Board’s intent to proceed with the project includes the finding and determination of this exemption.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the Resolution of Intent and approves as to form (Attachment B). At their meeting in October, the Parks Commission considered the TGF proposal and approved a motion to recommend that the Board of Supervisor’s adopt a Resolution of Intent with Tatum’s Garden Foundation to develop an Inclusive Playground at the Quail Meadows location at Toro Park.
FINANCING:
The construction cost and seed money to establish a fund to care for the long term maintenance of the inclusive play structure will be funded by the TGF and their private sector supporters.
Although TGF has committed to include establishing a maintenance fund through their fundraising efforts, it is not know at this time if sufficient funds will be raised to cover all future maintenance costs for the life of the project. It is anticipated that the Parks Department will incur maintenance costs relative to this project at some time in the future.
Prepared by: John Akeman, Parks Planning Manager, Ext. 4911
Reviewed by: John Guertin, RMA Land Use and Community Development Deputy Director
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Resources Management Agency Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - TGF Proposal
Attachment B - Draft Resolution