Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission Meeting of November 12, 2026

The City of Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission met November 12, 2026. The commission discussed a proposed five-year capital improvement plan and a draft prioritization for FY 2027–28 and FY 2028–29. The working draft used approximately $1.9 million as a planning baseline and proposed funding for park maintenance, C-rated parks, community gardens, Fairview Park, and a Downtown Aquatic Center heater; it also proposed deferring several projects, including Westside Park development, Victoria Corridor Park development, skatepark parking expansion, and Fairview Park master plan implementation. Commissioners and public commenters discussed expanding community gardens—potentially including a Hamilton site expansion, smaller plots, and faster plot reassignment—and prioritizing shade at Bark Park. Smart locks were estimated at $30,000–$50,000, and commissioners suggested exploring donations, grants, and tree planting as possible ways to address park needs. These were discussion items; no CIP funding decisions were made.

Staff reported that a state grant application for Shalimar Park improvements would request approximately $4 million from a program offering up to $8 million, subject to a City Council resolution and a mid-December deadline. Staff also said the Tennis Center RFP was nearing completion, with presentation to City Council planned for February; no vendor selection or contract award was reported. The City Council had approved recreation fee updates on October 29, with the special-event and film permit fees unchanged and a tournament fee not applying to events where participating teams are not charged. The commission also approved, by a 5–0 vote, a memorial bench and plaque at Brentwood Park; the donor will cover the cost, with minimal fiscal impact to the city.