TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Erick Lee, Public Works Director
Melissa McCollum, Senior Recreation Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of an Update to the City’s Parks Master Plan (No Budget Impact) (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
APPROVE
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Parks Master Plan Update as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action at this time. Although adoption of the Parks Master Plan does not have a fiscal impact, the Plan does include considerable infrastructure projects and deferred park maintenance needs at various levels of funding. Once the City Council directs staff on Parks Master Plan projects, future funding analyses and/or appropriations may be required. Staff has identified potential funding sources for future projects in the Discussion section of the staff report under “Funding Opportunities.”
BACKGROUND:
At the direction of City Council, an ad-hoc Parks and Recreation Commission subcommittee developed an updated Parks Master Plan (PMP) to serve as a working document for helping City leadership and staff enhance parks and recreation facilities, prioritize capital improvement projects, and develop related funding strategies to be executed over the course of ten years. The Parks Master Plan, approved by City Council on December 15, 2020, was intended to be reviewed and updated regularly.
Several common themes emerging from an extensive public engagement process served as the basis for project recommendations included in the PMP. Themes included:
A. Increase and Optimize Access to Open Space
B. Create a Sense of Community
C. Optimize Existing Park and Beach Experiences
D. Enhance Play for All
In addition, projects were placed into three categories based on estimated cost, complexity, and requirements for staff resources. Categories included:
1. Quick Wins - Projects estimated to cost less than $60,000 and require limited staff resources. These projects will typically be funded through the General Fund.
2. Mid-Range Projects - Projects estimated to cost between $60,000 to $1 million and require additional staff resources and time to complete. Funding may come from a variety of sources, including Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Measure A grant allocation, donation programs, and small-scale sponsorship.
3. Long-Term Vision - Larger projects with budgets over $1 million with significant complexity and requirements for staff resources. Potential funding could come from the CIP, grants, community partnerships, and/or a bond.
Completed PMP projects since 2020 include:
• Sand Dune Park enhanced nature areas (2022)
• Lower Polliwog Park playground replacement (2023)
• Begg Field renovations (2023)
• Marine Soccer Field turf replacement (2024)
• Expanded Polliwog Park Dog Run (2025)
• New public art (Annual)
Additional parks and recreation facility projects completed since 2020 include:
• Manhattan Beach Middle School pickleball courts (2022)
• Strand parcourse replacement (2023)
• Polliwog Park StoryWalk (2023)
• Rocketship Hall HVAC upgrade at Marine Avenue Park (2023)
• Polliwog Park fitness court upgrade (2024)
• Ceramics Studio kiln installation (2024)
• Begg Pool Modernization Study (2024)
• Public Art Collection Survey (2024)
• Joslyn Center crosswalk improvement (2024)
Summaries for all of the completed projects above are included in the updated PMP Appendix.
DISCUSSION:
Given the City’s Council’s desire to regularly update the PMP, the Parks and Recreation Commission updated the PMP for City Council consideration during Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Projects in the updated PMP that remain from the PMP adopted in 2020 include:
• Repurpose the land occupied by the Pay ‘N’ Play at Marine Avenue Park
• Update the Beach Cottage in Polliwog Park
• Install pour in place playground surfacing in Polliwog Park and Marine Avenue Park
• Increase public art throughout parks and streetscapes
• Repurpose the Marine Avenue Park common area
• Upgrade Veterans Parkway (Mariposa) fitness station
• Implement the Sand Dune Park Master Plan
• Design and build a community aquatics center
• Renovate or replace the Joslyn Community Center
• Renovate or replace the Manhattan Heights Community Center
• Renovate public spaces at Live Oak Hall Complex to maximize usage
• Explore acquiring Armory land for use as open space, recreational amenities, and parking
New projects added to the updated PMP include:
• Enhance dog runs for our four-legged friends
• Update Marine Avenue Field fencing
• Repurpose the area by Live Oak Park basketball courts occupied by a storage trailer
• Add direct access to Court 6 at the Live Oak Park tennis courts
• Renovate the Manhattan Heights Park restroom building, install artificial turf, and update the rock wall
• Replace Manhattan Village Field synthetic turf and update lighting
• Upgrade lighting and ballasts at Mira Costa High School tennis courts
• Build a Senior and Scout Community Center
• Renovate or replace the Manhattan Beach Arts Center (MBAC)
• Explore a Cultural Library concept with LA County Library
• Explore acquiring AdventurePlex to expand City recreational opportunities on the east side
Projects removed from the updated PMP identified in the 2020 PMP include:
• Create El Porto Family Park - City Council directed staff in 2022 to explore the possibility of LA County funding this project as LA County owns the triangular lot east of the bike path on the northwest part of town. When LA County declined to provide project funding, the El Porto Family Park was removed from the Work Plan.
• Create a community garden near Begg Field - The project was removed as the land is owned by the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, the site is complex (sloped with no irrigation or ADA access), and it is not considered a high priority compared to other needs.
• Expand additional areas for four-legged friends - After a thorough investigation by the Parks and Recreation Commission, it was determined that there are no viable options for additional dog parks in Manhattan Beach at this time, and the focus should be on improving current dog runs.
• Rent vacant areas in downtown for “pop up” art galleries - The Parks and Recreation Commission determined that there are plenty of options for public art in other locations within Manhattan Beach that do not require renting space.
• Add solar lights on beach volleyball courts south of the pier - The City Council directed staff to remove this item from the Work Plan in 2023.
• Incorporate skateable art throughout parks - The Parks and Recreation Commission determined that this is not a high priority compared to other public art and recreation projects.
• Add Polliwog Park stage and pavilion - The City Council removed this item from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 5-Year Plan.
• Consider acquiring small lot at 26th Street and Bell Avenue - The Parks and Recreation Commission determined that this is not a high priority compared to other projects and prefers to focus on updating existing parks and recreation facilities first.
Project summaries for all removed projects are included in the updated PMP Appendix in case projects want to be revived at a future date.
Funding Opportunities
Considerable infrastructure and deferred park maintenance needs have been identified in Manhattan Beach, and the City needs to be creative in finding funding sources for moving priority parks and recreation projects forward to meet community expectations.
As demonstrated in the 2025 Budget Survey as well as other recent assessments, strong community support exists for improving parks and recreation facilities, including community centers, playgrounds, and Begg Pool even when compared to other potential uses of operating and capital budgets. In the 2025 Budget Survey, “making parks better” ranked as the third highest priority after “keeping our city safe” and “fixing roads.” Improving parks and recreation facilities was ranked as the highest priority when survey respondents were asked what places the City should improve first in the 2025 Budget Survey.
Results from the 2024 Sales Tax Feasibility Survey Summary Report included the following community support for use of some of the new revenue resulting from the measure:
• Keep local streets, sidewalks, infrastructure, and parks safe, clean, and well-maintained = 87.4% strongly or somewhat favor
• Repair, upgrade aging community facilities such as Joslyn Community Center, Manhattan Heights Community Center, Cultural Arts Center = 62.2% strongly or somewhat favor
• Renovate or replace the City’s municipal swimming pool - Begg Pool = 55.8% strongly or somewhat favor
Community views and priorities will be measured again in the statistically reliable Community Opinion Survey, which will be conducted by True North Research during Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Potential funding options for PMP priority projects include:
• General Fund/Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Fund -These funds have competing interests and are insufficient to address all park and recreation facility needs. The City Council could consider transferring a percentage of the year-end General Fund surplus for parks and recreation projects to the CIP Fund to accumulate more funds over time to assist in funding larger projects identified in the PMP.
• Recreation Program Funds - The City could deposit revenues from designated programs into an account that can be used for earmarked upgrades. For example, a Turf Replacement Fund was established in 2024 to accumulate revenue from per-player fee increases to fund synthetic turf field replacements at Marine Avenue Park and Manhattan Village Park every ten years.
• Replacement Fund - The City could consider developing a dedicated fund for future park replacements, such as picnic pads, playgrounds, fitness equipment, fencing, lighting, and bleachers. Such funding could be partially offset by Parks and Recreation Facility and Programming revenue.
• Public Arts Fund - The Public Arts Fund Ordinance (also known as Percent for Arts) became effective December 18, 2002. It sets aside a 1% development fee for select building projects to fund public art, art education programs, and exhibits.
• LoveMB Foundation/Donations - The LoveMB Foundation formed in 2024 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in order to support and enhance City programs, services, facilities, and initiatives. A Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Manhattan Beach and the LoveMB Foundation was approved on May 20, 2025. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents through strategic investments in a broad range of municipal priorities, including recreation, public spaces, public safety, the arts, and community health and wellness.
• Quimby Act Funds - The Quimby Act authorizes cities and counties to require developers set aside land or pay fees for park improvements on projects of four or more residential units. Fees are used to develop or rehabilitate park and recreational facilities to ensure new residents have access to green spaces and recreational amenities.
• LA County Library Surplus Funds - This surplus is a result of Manhattan Beach property tax contributions exceeding the cost of current library services. It is important to note that these funds are held by LA County and are not available for any purpose other than improving library facilities and enhancing library services and programs in Manhattan Beach.
• Bond Measures - With limited funds available through the City Capital Improvement Program Fund, the City may need to seek approval of a bond measure to provide funding to develop a community aquatics center, community center, or similar large-scale project. This may require voter approval and/or a new revenue source to fund debt service.
• Measure A Grant - The “Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure of 2016” (Measure A) was approved by 75% of the voters in November 2016 to help meet current and future park needs. Administered by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, Measure A provides for an annual grant allocation to the City of Manhattan Beach of approximately $150,000 for projects and $37,000 for maintenance and servicing of completed grant-funded projects in perpetuity. In addition, competitive grants are available through Measure A.
The following priority projects in the updated PMP are included in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030:
• Sand Dune Park Improvements
• Sports Court at Marine Avenue Park - Pay ‘N’ Play Repurposing
• Begg Pool Facility Upgrades
• Manhattan Village Aquatic Pool Complex Exploration
• Replace Fencing at Marine Avenue Soccer Field
• Manhattan Village Field Lighting Replacement
• Mariposa Fitness Station Parcourse Equipment Replacement
• Manhattan Heights Park Improvements
• Senior and Scout Community Center Development
Additional maintenance funding is programmed in the plan, including funds for select playground, sports court, fencing, and lighting upgrades.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Approximately 1,800 community members participated in development of the Parks Master Plan adopted in 2020 via community input meetings, online surveys, pop-up events, and stakeholder interviews. The PMP update was discussed at publicly-noticed monthly meetings of the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2024 and 2025. The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the updated Parks Master Plan at their meeting on May 29, 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the Parks Master Plan for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the various projects contemplated by the Plan are covered by various statutory and categorical exemptions including those contained in CEQA Guidelines Sections 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies), 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), 15311 (Accessory Structures) and 15332 (Infill Development Projects). Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Parks Master Plan Update
2. Parks Master Plan December 15, 2020)
3. Schedule of Capital Improvement Projects for the CIP Fund (June 3, 2025)
4. PowerPoint Presentation