STATE COSTAL CONSERVANCY (STATE OF CALIFORNIA)

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SANTIAGO PARK MAIN STREET CONSTRUCTION Site Description: Santiago Park is a 35-acre linear park located on the northern edge of the City of Santa Ana along Santiago Creek. The park is one of the oldest in Santa Ana, and is the city's only wilderness park, rendering it a unique and important asset in its extremely urbanized setting. All properties north of Santiago Park to the city limits are slated to be developed as medium density, 6-10 story residential when built out in 2032, per the city's General Plan Land Use Element. The park provides critical open space and natural respite for residents living in dense urban conditions with Limited or no access to the outdoors. As the City's second largest park, it serves -all -Santa -Ana. resid.ents.-and-is_co.mp.rise.d-of_both-passive_.a.n.d--active.-re.cre.ati.Qrial-areas_-.-.__-_---------------_.-_. along both sides of the creek. Recreational amenities include bike and pedestrian trails providing connections towards the Santa Ana River Trail and City of Orange, a wildlife nature facility and viewing areas, archery range, playgrounds, amphitheater, tennis and pickle ball courts, lawn bowling green, log cabin, outdoor event space, balifield, and restrooms. The Santiago Park Main Street Entrance Construction project extends from the Main Street entrance to the existing park restroom and playground. The project area is characterized by an asphalt roadway, bare dirt, and is lacking in site amenities, vegetation, and trees. As a park entrance, this landscape is the front door and the first impression that many visitors experience of Santiago Park. Grant Applicant Qualifications: The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency is responsible for over $155 million of Capital Improvement Program projects annually in addition to maintaining and managing 53 parks, 13 miles of off-street trails, a zoo, and municipal stadium. The Park Services Division of the Public Works Agency successfully completes park and trail projects in Santa Ana from planning, design, and construction to maintenance and operation. The city has successfully managed four previous Conservancy grants. CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY'S PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA: The proposed project is consistent with the Conservancy's Project Selection Criteria, last updated on September 23, 2021, in the following respects: Selection Criteria 1. Extent to which the project helps the Conservancy accomplish the objectives in the Strategic Plan. See the "Consistency with Conservancy's Strategic Plan" section below. 2. Project is a good investment of state resources. The project provides an opportunity to implement designs for enhancement of an invaluable resource for the city, region, and state. Once implemented, it will help restore and protect the ecological integrity of this tributary to the Santa Ana River while also providing a safe recreational space. The budget is reasonable for the scope of work. The Park Santiago Neighborhood Association has expressed strong support for the project, deeming it as "an essential respite within the densely populated urban setting in which [they] live." Local Page 3 of 6