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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13a - Wilderness Park Operation Hours1 DATE: March 16, 2021 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Sara Somogyi, Director of Recreation & Community Services By: Emily Buchanan, Recreation Supervisor SUBJECT: MODIFY WILDERNESS PARK OPERATION TO BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE ON WEEKENDS Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY Wilderness Park was open to the public seven days a week without a need for reservations from when the park opened in 1958 until September 1993. In September 1993, Wilderness Park’s hours of operation changed to be open to the public Monday through Friday on a walk-in basis and by reservation only on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations on the weekends were intended for groups of more than five people and non-profit groups, both resident and non-resident. The park’s hours of operations were changed to weekend reservation only due to overcrowding and concern for potential problems. It is recommended that the park be opened to the public seven days a week without the need for reservations, except for specified groups. Reservations would only be needed for a small group of 6-10 people, as well as resident and non-resident non- profit groups. Two staff will be scheduled at the park on the weekends when rentals are scheduled to monitor and ensure appropriate activities are taking place at the park. BACKGROUND The Recreation and Community Services Department operates recreation and parks facilities, which provide the opportunity for leisure activities for approximately 60,000 residents per year. Wilderness Park, nestled at the mouth of the Santa Anita Canyon, allows the public to hike, picnic, and camp year-round. From the dedication in October 1958 until September 1993, Wilderness Park was open to the public on a walk-in basis seven days a week. In September 1993, the City Council approved a modification of the hours of operation due to overcrowding, vandalism, and parking overflow on residential streets. These revised hours of operation for Wilderness Park were modified to allow for public use Monday-Friday and by group reservation only on Saturdays and Sundays. Over the Wilderness Park Hours March 16, 2021 Page 2 of 3 years, the City has received requests from the public to increase access without a reservation on weekends. As a result, Council Member Beck asked for this agenda item to be considered and received concurrence from fellow Council Members. DISCUSSION Outdoor recreation has become increasingly popular over the years, especially more so now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arcadia residents inquired about the current days of operation of Wilderness Park and suggested more flexibility during the weekends. With these new recommended hours of operation for Wilderness Park, patrons would be allowed to access the park seven days a week without reservation, except for when specified groups wished to use the facilities. Reservations would be needed for a small group of 6-10 people, as well as resident and non-resident non-profit groups. Fee schedule for groups beginning July 1, 2021, is listed below: Group Type Attendance Fee Deposit Minimal Group 1-5 Free NA Small Group 6-10 $30 per day $100 refundable Resident Non-Profit 1-99 $300 per day/night $100 refundable Non-Resident Non-Profit 1-99 $300 per day/night $100 refundable Groups of up to 10 people will be allowed to reserve one of the 20 picnic areas throughout the park on a first-come, first-served basis. No group over 10 will be allowed to reserve the picnic areas unless they are eligible to reserve park space as a non-profit organization. Reservations for private groups would need to be made by Friday at 12pm of the requested weekend. No more than 10 of the picnic areas will be reservable each weekend to allow for walk-in individuals or groups less than six to utilize the picnic areas. Resident and non-resident non-profit group reservations for up to 99 people will also be taken on a first-come, first-served basis; however, Arcadia based groups will be given a week of priority registration over the non-resident groups. These groups will be able to reserve the Fire Circle and Shelter Area daily from 8am-4pm or overnight from 1pm to 12pm the following day. The park would be able to accommodate one non-profit group and 10 small groups, while still being open to the community for public use on the weekends. The recommended revised use of the park will not conflict with overnight reservations. Staff will schedule two part-time staff at the park when rentals are scheduled to allow for proper monitoring of the park and deterrence of improper or illegal activity. Having two part time staff during scheduled rentals will also allow for effective traffic monitoring. One staff would oversee public use by walking the park, keeping an eye out for unauthorized large gatherings, and monitoring the flow of parking to prevent overuse of the park. The other staff would monitor the rental group and assist with managing public Wilderness Park Hours March 16, 2021 Page 3 of 3 use of the park. Staff would also implement nature talks and walks during the weekend to encourage appropriate park usage from patrons. This will help the City take a proactive approach to properly monitor the park uses. Currently, Wilderness Park is closed because of damage from the Bobcat Fire and potential mudslides. The park is expected to open again prior to summer. The approved Reopening Protocols for Use of Public Trails from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will be followed to safely operate the park. In addition, there have been previous discussions from Los Angeles County about the opening of the East Sycamore to Wilderness Park section of the Santa Anita Wash Trail. If this section reopens, Staff will determine if we need to reevaluate the proposed weekend use. It is recommended that Wilderness Park re-open for public use Monday-Sunday without reservations, except for small groups of 6-10 people or resident and non-resident non- profit groups, who would still require reservations. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS This proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The proposed budget for staffing Wilderness Park seven days a week to allow for public walk-in use for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 would be approximately $65,500. This is a difference of $23,600 from Fiscal Year 2019-20 when the park was open for walk-ins Monday-Friday and by reservation only on Saturday and Sunday. These costs would be included within the proposed General Fund budget for FY 2021-22 when it is circulated later this spring. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and approve and modify Wilderness Park operation to be open for public use on the weekends.