City plans improvements to Lazy Creek Park

The City of Menifee plans $1 million in improvements to Lazy Creek Park through a grant it is applying for. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

This story has been updated with additional comment from Robert Lennox clarifying his position.

City of Menifee employees made a presentation Monday night to area residents about proposed improvements to Lazy Creek Park, including a full basketball court, cement ping pong table, outdoor lights and a restroom facilty.

Members of the city's Community Services Department detailed tentative plans for the use of a $1 million grant they will apply for by Nov. 1 through the California Youth Soccer & Recreation Development Program. According to Robert Lennox, community services director, the grant is designed to “foster the development of new youth soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball recreation opportunities: and must also include a water conservation component."

Lazy Creek Park currently has a recreation center, small playground, beach volleyball pit and a large grass area. Monday's community meeting was held to inform residents of the improvement plans and solicit feedback. The improvements would be funded solely by the grant and would not come out of the city's general fund, said Bruni Reyes, administrative analyst for the city.

According to the tentative plans, part of the turf would be removed and replaced with planters including drought tolerant plants. A lighted basketball court would be built on part of the current grassy area. The volleyball pit would be removed and replaced with two courts for pickleball, a fast-growing paddle ball sport played on a surface resembling a miniature tennis court.

In addition to a cement ping pong table, the park would also receive a restroom to replace the portable toilet now being used on the property.

Reyes explained that the grant would not cover playground equipment, although she acknowledged the complaints from resident Lynn Dreher about the poor condition of the nearly 30-year-old playground equipment.

"We are working on other grants to address that issue," Reyes said. "Unless we find a manufacturer that still makes replacement parts for that equipment, we will need another grant."

Reyes said the next grant cycle won't be until April 2017, which is too long a wait for people like Dreher, who lives across the street from the park but says she won't let her grandchildren play there. She pointed out a piece of plywood covering the hole where a broken circular slide was removed (above); the broken edge of a plate at the end of a bridge that she considers a trip hazard; chipping paint; and general disrepair.

Dreher said she has been complaining about the condition of the playground equipment for a year, yet nothing has been done.

"I'm concerned about the slide that was broken and torn down, and about the rusty metal parts," Dreher said. "I know it's expensive, but you have to consider this. I hear about all these great things you will add to the park, but nothing has been done to fix the playground."

Joe Solano, the City's park maintenance superintendent, said a new slide was ordered that day and will be installed soon.

Lennox, who did not attend the meeting, told Menifee 24/7 in an email on Tuesday that any immediate repairs for the playground equipment would come out of the $40,000 allocated for playground equipment upgrades in the City's Parks Capital Improvement plan.

"With those funds, staff has already ordered replacement parts for the few components that are still manufactured," Lennox said. "Unfortunately, the age of the units plays a large factor in finding and purchasing compatible parts. As such, staff is meeting with the manufacturer to determine a plan for replacement with newer compatible parts/components. Staff will also be addressing the rust and paint issues on the equipment after consulting with the manufacturer."

In a subsequent email on Wednesday, Lennox clarified his position.

"Our initial assessment of all the city's tot lots did not reveal a need to replace entire structures, but rather to repair and replace specific components," Lennox said. "The Lazy Creek units are old and need attention, but are not so far gone that whole new units are needed. I am confident that we can satisfactorily restore the Lazy Creek units with the allocation we have for the current fiscal year."

Lennox said the cost of a new structure can cost anywhere from $27,000 to $75,000, depending on the complexity and size of the unit.

Tentative plans in the current grant request also include a shade structure with picnic table. Although the grass area for general play would be reduced, annual events such as summer Movies in the Park would not be affected, said Jason Hendrix, community services supervisor.

Construction of the improvements would take three to four months if the grant is approved, Reyes said.