Below is the report and recommendation by city staff for Fairview Park and will be voted on at the November 18th Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Fairview Park Master Plan goals for 2010.
BACKGROUND
At the October 19, 1998, meeting, the City Council adopted Council Policy 500-11 (Attachment 1), which provides direction for the implementation of the Fairview Park Master Plan. The policy was updated on July 17, 2000, and revised on January 9, 2003 (Attachment 2).
Item “D” of the policy requires the Department of Public Services to submit an annual report to the Parks and Recreation Commission in December of each year discussing any progress that has been made on the implementation of the Master Plan, and to describe the efforts and plans for the following year. Since the Parks and Recreation Commission does not meet in December (due to Council action), staff is bringing this item forward in November of each year.
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
The following is a brief discussion of the progress made this past year on the implementation of the Master Plan in 2009 and staff goals for 2010:
1. 2009 Accomplishments
Planning Area D Restoration
Staff was successful in securing a $225,000 grant from the California Department of Parks & Recreation’s Land and Water Conservation Fund for the restoration of elements within Planning Area D, the Upper Mesa. Construction was completed in 2009, and includes hiking trails, observation decks, bluff stairs, signage, bike racks, and an open-air interpretive area. Total project cost is $500,000 with the City’s grant match of $275,000 coming from the Park Development Fund.
Habitat Conservation Fund Grant
The Public Services Department secured a $230,000 grant from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Habitat Conservation Fund. The grant was matched with Park Development Funds for a total project cost of $460,000. The project established 17 acres of riparian habitat in the lower northern portion of the park. The project was completed in September 2009, and was combined with the US Army Corps funding of $1,409,900 for the Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Project as discussed in Item C.
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Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Project
The City Council, on September 6, 2005, awarded a contract to Moffat and Nichol Consultants for the design of a water delivery system to treat dry weather flows and for the creation of approximately 35 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat along the Placentia Drain connecting to the Fairview Channel.
The project has been designed in three phases, and construction of Phase I has been completed. Phase I included the planting and establishment of 17 acres of riparian habitat, grading, and excavation. The project is funded with $1,409,900 from United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City’s Habitat Conservation Fund Grant and match of $460,000.
Staff has submitted grant applications to the State of California and the OCTA Freeway Mitigation Program for funding to complete Phases II and III of the project. The total cost of Phases II and III is estimated at approximately $5,000,000.
Headlands LLC Mitigation Project- Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration
The City has entered into an agreement with Headlands, LLC, and their contractor Natures Image, to restore 11 acres of Coastal Sage Scrub in the northwest corner of the park. Headlands, LLC, is funding the entire restoration project and five-year monitoring of the site (estimated cost for this work is $1,000,000) as mitigation for impacts occurring at their Headlands Project in Dana Point. Eradication of non-native plants began in May 2006 and all container plants were installed by August 2006. Seed was spread in November 2006 and further eradication of non-natives will continue.
In July 2009, staff received the second year annual restoration monitoring report. The site has met and exceeded native species cover standards during the first year. The biologist stated that the site is likely to meet year five success standards by year three.
Harbor Soaring Society (HSS)
For over thirty years, HSS has been using a portion of Fairview Park to fly radio-controlled aircrafts. In the mid 1980’s, the southern portion of Fairview Park, at the northern end of Canyon Drive, was developed as a flying field. This area was designated as the launch/land site for silent flyers in the approved Fairview Park Master Plan.
Staff and this Commission have completed a permit process for the flying of model aircrafts at Fairview Park. The permit process began in 2007 and has been very successful. In 2009, 271 permits were issued for the flying of model aircrafts at Fairview Park.
In 2009, HSS received a grant from the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) for field improvements. The launch/land area was increased in size by removing dirt mounds to the west of the field. The field size was increased by 16,000 square feet.
Orange County Model Engineers (OCME)/Fairview Park East
Staff has worked with the OCME in an effort to plan and implement a number of capital improvement projects within the train yard and surrounding train facilities. A Master Plan of the OCME facility was prepared and approved by this Commission on January 26, 2005. The OCME Master Plan included near-term (to be completed within two years) projects, as well as long-range projects, to be completed within ten years. In 2009, OCME completed the construction of a concrete holding bay for materials and replaced the roof on the train
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station with the assistance of a local Eagle Scout candidate. OCME provided over 30,000 train rides to the public over the past 12-month period.
Orange Coast River Park (OCRP)
Staff continues to attend Friends of Harbors Beaches and Parks/OCRP meetings. Meetings include neighboring cities and other involved parties, and discussion takes place on the implementation, uses, marketing, and management of the proposed 1,000-acre Orange Coast River Park, which includes Fairview Park. The OCRP committee is in the process of developing a management structure that will allow them to seek funding for the proposed park, and to manage the improvements. The cities of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and the County of Orange are involved in the process.
H. Multi-Purpose Trail
Staff awarded a contract to CNC Engineering for the design of a multi-purpose trail in the lower northern portion of the park. The trail will connect Placentia Avenue with the Santa Ana River Trail. This project is partially funded by a grant from the California Department of Recreation’s Recreational Trail program.
2. 2010 Goals
Staff proposes the following goals for the coming year:
Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Project- Seek funding and begin construction of Phase II.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail along the Fairview Channel- A contract has been awarded to the firm of CNC Engineering to complete the design of the multipurpose trail. Construction will be completed in 2010.
Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) Community- Work with Headlands, LLC – To ensure the success of the restoration plantings. Third year monitoring report due in March 2010.
Mitigation Credits – Staff will continue to pursue restoration and development through negotiating mitigation opportunities with private/public partnerships.
Grants – Staff will continue to research and apply for grant opportunities, which support funding elements of the Fairview Park Master Plan. Additional Prop 84 grant applications will be available in June 2010.
FISCAL REVIEW
As of October 22, 2009, the remaining unencumbered appropriation in the Fairview Park project accounts is $722,000.
