RPVCCA_SR_2010_10_05_08_Hesse_and_Ryan_Parks_Athletic_Field_ImprovementsMEMORANDUM RANCHO PALOS VERDES
~1'Ii~/l!t.ND PARKS!
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CI
TOM ODOM,INTERIM DIRECTOR,RECR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR,PUBLIC WORKS
OCTOBER 5,2010
HESSE AND RYAN PARKS ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER ~
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
Staff Coordinators:Katie Howe,Administrative Analyst II
Emilio Blanco,Maintenance Superintendent
RECOMMENDATION
Revise the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)to improve the existing athletic
fields at Hesse and Ryan Parks as detailed in this report and Exhibit A to maximize
public use of fields and to improve the safety and quality of play.
BACKGROUND
Recreation and Parks and Public Works staff have sought the best configuration of
athletic fields at Hesse and Ryan Parks to provide optimum use and to best serve the
community for active recreation in accordance with the City Council Tactical Goal of
improving opportunities for access and active recreation at City parks.
On July 6,2010,Council approved a Capital Improvement Plan that included
$500,000 for Hesse Park Field Upgrades Phases I and II.The CIP budget included
constructing an additional ball diamond and new field amenities.
After further analysis of current park athletic field use,and athletic league activity on the
Peninsula,staff is recommending Council revise the adopted Capital Improvement
Project for Hesse Park.Rancho Palos Verdes faces two major challenges concerning
athletic fields:challenging city topography and limited available space.Despite these
challenges,the newly proposed plans maximize athletic field quality and use,and
create opportunities for multiple concurrent athletic uses.
Because the revised Hesse Park improvements are significantly less expensive than
the project described in the adopted FY 10-11 CIP,it is recommended that Council
appropriate the remaining funds for improvements and upgrades to the athletic fields at
Ryan Park,with a similar goal in mind.
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Hesse and Ryan Parks Field Improvements
October 5.2010
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Analysis
Current Field Use
Hesse and Ryan Parks each contain a ball diamond and a large multiuse field.Youth
groups that regularly use the athletic fields are shown in the following tables:
Hesse Park Jan.FEb.Mardi April 1.lav June July Aug.Sepl Od.Nov.Oec.
Pen.HiQh Lacrosse Teams
PV Youth Football &Cheer
AYSO Girls Soccer
PVP Girls Softball LeaQue "11 111111 111111111 1111111111 III11UII
Sprino Sports Camps'
Boys Pony LeaQue Baseball "11 1111 IUlUIIII 111111 1'
Rvan Park Jan.FEb.Mard1 April May June July Aug.Sepl Oel Nov.Dec.
US Youth Volleyball LeaQue
Boys Ponv LeaQue Baseball clllllllll 111111111 1111111111 111111111 1111111 1•
So.Bav Youth Soorls
Fit N Fun Sports Classes
Broken Line:Ball diamond use
Black:Multipurpose field use
*indicates both multiourpose field and ball diamond are used
A survey of Peninsula youth sports activities prepared by staff shows that athletic fields
at Hesse and Ryan Parks are heavily used by youth sports leagues,privatized
recreation,and drop-in users.The chart above shows that field sports (lacrosse,
soccer,volleyball,and sports classes and camps,etc.)use the multiuse athletic fields
year-round,and ball diamond sports (little league,softball,and Pony League)take
place in the spring and fall.The survey also revealed that the majority of Peninsula
youth athletic activity taking place at the parks is restricted to practice and not games
due to the less than prime conditions of the athletic fields,and the age of the existing
amenities.
Challenges to Additional Ball Diamond at Hesse Park
The City had construction diagrams created in 2006 showing the layout of the Hesse
Park athletic fields if an additional diamond were added.Because of the limited area at
the Hesse Park upper field area,if ball diamonds (regulation for softball or little league)
existed at opposite corners of the upper area,and games were to take place
simultaneously,balls could easily be hit cross field creating hazardous playing
conditions.Therefore,little league and softball games could not take place
simultaneously,and adding an additional diamond would not result in concurrent play,
and most likely would not result in additional little league or softball activities.
Adding an additional ball diamond would also minimize the grass field area available for
field sports (soccer,lacrosse,flag football,drop-in use,etc.)and field sports are more
popular at both parks than are ball diamond sports.The City's construction diagrams
demonstrate that if a youth soccer field were to exist concurrently with two mirrored
diamonds,a portion of the soccer field would be positioned on the ball diamond infields.
This creates undesirable playing conditions for field sports.Staff foresees the result as
displacing numerous youth groups that are currently using the grass fields extensively
for field sports.
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DISCUSSION
Proposed Athletic Field Improvements
Staff recommends Council revise the CIP to eliminate the second ball field planned for
Hesse Park,and make comprehensive upgrades and improvements to existing ball
diamonds and multipurpose athletic fields at both Hesse and Ryan Parks.
Staff recommends reconditioning both parks'existing ball diamonds:
•Laser level the sites for drainage and grading,and design work
•Configure the infields to regulation size for softball,little league,t-ball and Pony
League.
•Install new vinyl coated chain link backstop fencing
•Replace brick dirt infield mix to a depth of three inches
•Install new field amenities (t-ball amenities,portable pitching mound,backstop,
dug-out,benches,drinking fountain,bleachers,and ball diamond field
equipment container,etc.)
•Add irrigation system to infield
Staff recommends reconditioning the multipurpose fields at both parks:
•Survey sites for drainage and leveling,and design work
•Reengineer fields'irrigation system and valves
•Install weather-based irrigation controllers
o Irrigation improvements will result in 20%water conservation at each park,
and more efficient water distribution creating improved field conditions
•Remove grass undergrowth by dethatching to soil level
•Top dress fields for appropriate runoff and leveling
•Aerate and over seed lawn areas with athletic field grass mix
Improved Athletic Fields and Usage
The proposed improvements will enhance the quality of play and safety on the athletic
fields,making them more functional and attractive to youth athletic groups and drop-in
users.While athletic leagues are using Hesse and Ryan Park fields primarily for
practice because of the less than prime field conditions,staffs goal is to bring existing
fields into compliance with league game requirements,making the fields suitable for
games,and thus,more of an asset for Peninsula youth athletic leagues,as well as new
city-run recreation for youth and adults.Staff is also proposing to purchase t-ball
amenities (bases,portable backstop)for t-ball games and city-run recreation.
Both Hesse and Ryan Parks will contain ball diamonds suitable for games for three
sports (softball,little league,and t-ball)and Pony League practice.Little league and
softball games require 50-foot baselines and t-ball requires 50-foot baselines.Pony
League practices require aD-foot baselines and a pitching mound,and will be
accommodated for with the installation of aD-foot base anchors and the purchase of
portable pitching mounds.Each park will contain one large multipurpose athletic field
suitable for several field games including youth soccer,youth lacrosse,and flag football.
Both parks will contain quality half-fields suitable for practice.The proposed
improvements will also enhance drop-in park use experience.
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in addition,at Hesse Park,staff proposes to provide an alternate decomposed granite
walking path behind the backstop so that walkers may avoid walking between the
backstop and bleachers during ball games.The suggested improvements,with the
exception of the decomposed granite alternate walkway,will be in compliance with
American with Disability Act (ADA)guidelines.Staff will go out to bid in February 2011
for a park maintenance contract for FY 11-12 that shall include increased specifications
for athletic field maintenance.
Future Recreation and Facilities
As stated previously,the City faces two significant challenges regarding creation of new
athletic fields:challenging topography and limited space.Staff is evaluating other City
facilities to optimize parkland use and maximize recreational opportunities,including
examination of the Ladera Linda Community Center.Ladera Linda is eleven acres
designated active parkland and consists of a variety of fragmented sports facilities and
aging infrastructure.Staff looks forward to bringing to Council suggestions to improve
it,and other underutilized park facilities in the near future.
Unfunded Capital Improvement Projects
Staff proposes adding an unfunded capital improvement project to the CIP for Ryan
Park to underground existing drainage culverts to extend the length of the multiuse field
and create a larger usable area;and expanding the existing parking lot,which is often
at capacity,to accommodate more park visitors.The parking lot expansion includes
installing a small retaining wall between Hawthorne Blvd.and the existing parking lot for
stability.Staff anticipates that the expanded parking will lessen the impact of additional
park visitors resulting from the renovated sports fields.Staff will bring these projects
with cost estimates to Council for approval in the near future.
ALTERNATIVES
Council may also wish to consider the following alternative actions:
1.Do not alter existing Capital improvement Plan
2.Make alternative changes to Capital Improvement Plan
FISCAL IMPACT
A total of $646,300 is available during FY10-11 for these projects ($460,000 General
Fund and $186,300 Environmental Excise Tax).Staff recommends utilizing $275,750
for improvements to Hesse Park,$274,000 for improvements to Ryan Park,and a 15%
contingency for both projects of $82,463,for a project total of $632,213.No additional
funding requests are anticipated at this time;therefore,there is no fiscal impact to the
fund balances presented to City Council during adoption of the FY10-11 budget.
Annual maintenance costs for each park are estimated at $7,500,for a combined total
of $15,000,and will be taken into consideration as staff develops the FY11-12 budget.
Attachments:Hesse and Ryan Parks Diagrams
Revised Five-Year CIP Project Sheets
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Hesse Park-Potential Concurrent Athletic Field Uses
•Multiuse athletic field (soccer,lacrosse,flag football)
•Multiuse athletic 1/2 field (practice,drop-in use)
EXHIBIT A
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Hesse Park-Potential Concurrent Athletic Field Uses
•Ball diamond (Regulation for softball and little league games-60-foot baselines)
(Will accommodate Pony League practices-80-foot baselines and pitching mound)
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Hesse Park-Potential Athletic Field Concurrent Uses
•Multiuse atWetic 1/2 field (practice,drop-in use)
•T-ba1l diamonds (2)
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Ryan Park-Potential Concurrent Athletic Field Uses
•Multiuse athletic field (soccer,lacrosse,flag football)
•Multiuse atWetic 1/2 field (practice,drop-in use)
r
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Ryan Park-Potential Concurrent Athletic Field Uses
•Ball diamond (Regulation for softball and little league games-60-foot baselines)
(Will accommodate Pony League practices-80-foot baselines and pitching mound)
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PROJECT:
TYPE:
LOCATION:
DEPARTMENT:
DESCRIPTION:
9/2010
HESSE PARK ATHLETIC FIELD
IMPROVEMENTS
Recreation,Parks &Open Space
29301 Hawthorne Boulevard
Public Works
These improvements would include a renovation of the Hesse
Park ball diamond and improvements to the multiuse field.The
Hesse Park ball diamond improvements will include:laser level
sites for drainage and grading,design work,installation of
decomposed granite walkway behind the backstop,new vinyl
coated chain link fencing behind backstop,replace brick dirt infield
mix,reconfigure field to a regulation size for softball,lillie league
and t-ball games,and Pony League practices,add irrigation
system,and add new amenities (t-ball amenities,backstop,
dugout,portable pitching mound,benches,bleachers,field
equipment container,drinking fountain).
The Hesse Park multiuse field improvements will include:survey
site for drainage and leveling,re-engineer irrigation system and
valves,install weather-based irrigation controller,remove grass
undergrowth,aerate and over seed lawn areas,and top dress
fields for appropriate runoff and levelinq.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATES (IF KNOWN)
CATEGORY FY1D-11 FY11·12 FY12·13 FY13·14 FY14-15
ACQUISITION
ENGINEERING/DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT MANAGEMENT/OVERSIGHT
LEGAL
TOTAL $317,113
IMPACT ON OPERATING BUDGET
Ongoing maintenance for this park is estimated to be $7,500 per year.
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION ON 5 YEAR CIP
SAFETY
SUPPORTS ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES
SUPPORTS TACTICAL PLAN GOALS X
OTHER PROJECT INFORMATION:
LOCATION PHOTO
ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY
OUTSIDE FUNDING COMMITTED/ELIGIBLE
COMMUNITY QUALITY/SUSTAINABILITY
MAP
X
8-11
9/2010
PROJECT:RYAN PARK ATHLETIC FIELD
IMPROVEMENTS
TYPE:Recreation,Parks &Open Space
LOCATION:30359 Hawthorne Boulevard
DEPARTMENT:Public Works
The Ryan Park athletic field im provements will include upgrades to
the existing ball diamond and the muitiuse field.The ball diamond
improvements will include:leveling sites for drainage,grading and
design work,reconfiguring the field to regulation size for softball,
little league,and t-ball games and Pony League practices,install
vinyl coated backstop chain link fencing,add irrigation system,
replace brick dirt infield,and add new amenities (t-ball amenities,
DESCRIPTION:backstop,dugout,portable pitching mound, benches,bleachers,
field equipment container,drinking fountain).
The Ryan Park multiuse field improvements will include:survey of
sites for drainage,leveling and design work,re-engineer irrigation
system and valves,install weather based irrigation controller,
remove grass undergrowth,aerate and over seed lawn,top dress
fields for aoorooriate runoff and levelina.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATES (IF KNOWN)
CATEGORY FY10-11 FY11-12 FY12-13 FY13-14 FY14-15
ACQUISITION
ENGINEERING/DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT MANAGEMENT/OVERSIGHT
LEGAL
TOTAL $315,100
IMPACT ON OPERATING BUDGET
Ongoing maintenance for this park is estimated to be $7,500 per year.
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION ON 5 YEAR CIP
SAFETY ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY
SUPPORTS ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES OUTSiDE FUNDING COMMITIED/ELIGIBLE
SUPPORTS TACTICAL PLAN GOALS X COMMUNITY QUALITY/SUSTAINABILITY X
OTHER PROJECT INFORMATION:
LOCATION PHOTO MAP
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