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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City to Apply for a Grant Opportunity through the Land Conservation and Water Fund for Up to $625,000 for Field Improvements at Veterans Memorial Park.
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Meeting Date: October 26, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Tomás Herrera-Mishler/ Parks Recreation and Community Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/22/2026)
Department Approval: Tomás Herrera-Mishler, PRCS Director (10/05/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City to apply for a grant opportunity through the Land Conservation and Water Fund for up to $625,000 for field improvements at Veterans Memorial Park.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal grant program administered in California by the California Department of Parks and Recreation's Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) that provides funding for public outdoor recreation facilities, including improvements to existing parks.
Staff intends to submit an LWCF application for Field Improvements at Veterans Memorial Park. The proposed project has an estimated total cost of $1.25 million and would reconfigure the park's existing athletic field area to improve its functionality, safety, and recreational use.
The project would remove the existing central softball diamond and convert the area into a multipurpose field capable of supporting a variety of recreational activities. The existing corner softball field would be relocated farther into the corner of the park and upgraded to provide a more functional softball facility and greater separation from the adjacent Plunge building.
The existing softball field configuration places the field in close proximity to the Plunge building, creating a potential conflict when balls are hit toward the building. Relocating and upgrading the corner softball field would address this existing site constraint while allowing the central portion of the park to accommodate a broader range of recreational activities.
The proposed project would include improvements necessary to relocate and reconstruct the softball field, including:
• Turf replacement;
• Grading and site preparation;
• Drainage improvements;
• Irrigation improvements;
• Fencing;
• Dugouts and field equipment;
• Lighting; and
• Bleachers.
The proposed reconfiguration would provide one upgraded softball facility and a flexible multipurpose field, allowing Veterans Memorial Park to better accommodate organized sports, youth and adult recreation, and informal community use. The project would also make more efficient use of the existing park space while addressing an existing safety and functional constraint.
The proposed project implements priorities identified in the City's adopted Parks Master Plan regarding the athletic field configuration at Veterans Memorial Park. By removing the central softball diamond and creating a multipurpose field while upgrading and relocating the corner softball field, the project would advance the City's long-term vision for a more flexible and functional recreational area.
Staff evaluated the proposed project based on LWCF program requirements and Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) priorities. The project would improve an existing public outdoor recreation facility while expanding the flexibility and range of recreational opportunities available at Veterans Memorial Park.
The project would enhance an existing softball facility through improvements to turf, grading, drainage, irrigation, fencing, dugouts, lighting, and bleachers, while the conversion of the central softball diamond to a multipurpose field would provide additional flexibility for a broader range of recreational activities. The project also addresses an existing site constraint and improves the overall functionality and safety of the park's athletic field area.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The total estimated cost of the Veterans Memorial Park Field Improvements project is $1.25 million. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program requires a minimum 50 percent local match. Accordingly, the City would request $625,000 in LWCF grant funding and provide a $625,000 local match, for a total project cost of $1.25 million.
If awarded, the grant would reimburse up to $625,000 of eligible project costs, subject to the terms and conditions of the LWCF grant agreement. The City would be responsible for funding its required $625,000 local match and for initially funding eligible project expenditures prior to reimbursement by the State.
If awarded, staff will return to the City Council for approval to accept the grant award and appropriate the necessary funds for the project.
The grant application and approval process is anticipated to take approximately two to three years based on the grant application guide, including state and federal environmental and historic-preservation reviews and grant agreement finalization. Subject to grant approval and completion of all required reviews and authorizations, construction is anticipated to occur in approximately 2030-2031, with the schedule dependent on the timing of grant approvals and project readiness
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-10-26_ATT_Resolution Approving LWCF Application
recommended action
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City to apply for a grant opportunity through the Land Conservation and Water Fund for up to $625,000 for field improvements at Veterans Memorial Park ;
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.