Item 10 - Recieve and File the Washington Park Feasibility Study

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City of Santa Ana Washington Square Park Feasibility Study July 2025 5. Evaluation Evaluation and assessment of this potential project include referencing the Parks Master Plan (PMP), General Plan Open Space Element (GP — OS), and other considerations, as described below. Parks Master Plan Staff referred to the Parks Master Plan to determine if there was alignment. It was determined there was, in the following areas: Gap Area 15. The PMP conducted an access analysis, which used the city's General Plan, City and Census data to map residential areas currently served and unserved by existing parks. Map B-3 (see Appendix C) shows areas served within a 10-minute walk to Citywide and Community Parks, and within a 5-minute walk to other park types. These areas are shown shaded green on the exhibit. Areas that are not served are shown within a black lasso and shaded yellow and considered a "Gap Area". The Washington Square neighborhood falls within Park Gap Area #15, as do the subject properties. • Environmental Justice Area: The Washington Square neighborhood and subject properties both fall within an identified Environmental Justice Community. These communities fall in areas of the City where residents have the highest risk of exposure to pollution in the air, water and soil. Project Evaluation and Prioritization Scorecard To assist the City in focusing on priority projects, the PMP includes a Two -Step evaluation process for evaluating and prioritizing recommended capital projects. Since the PMP couldn't anticipate all projects needs as circumstances could change over the ten years following its adoption, this evaluation framework was intended to help vet new projects as they arose. The potential for a new park within the Washington Square neighborhood scored 17/32 on this scorecard (see Exhibit D) PMPActions & Goals Consideration of acquisition of the subject properties aligns strongly with Action Item #6 "Pursue Key Land Acquisition Opportunities". This action calls for the city to "aggressively pursue opportunities to acquire available lands that meet multiple PMP criteria for enhancing the park and recreation system". Along with this, the project aligns strongly with four Initiatives: Initiative 1: "Parkland" (Acquire & develop parks to increase the amount of parkland and create an integrated park and open space system), Initiative 2: "Equity, Access and Environmental Justice" (Ensure that all residents in Santa Ana have equitable access to inclusive parks and healthy recreation opportunities that serve all, in underserved areas of the city), Initiative 5: "Activity" (Facilitate recreation activities to support community health and fitness), and Initiative 7: Collaboration (Engage residents in enhancing parks and recreation opportunities). • Classification: A potential park within the Washington Square would fall into the "neighborhood park" classification, as defined by the Parks Master Plan, which is defined as a small park, typically 1-5 acres, intended to serve nearby neighbors. These sites provide small-scale opportunities for play, picnicking and leisure activities for residents that live within 5-10 minute walk, or biking distance. General Plan - Open Space Element This proposed project aligns with Goals, Policies, and Implementation Actions of the General Plan, Open Space Element, as follows: Goal OS-1: Parks, Open Space and Recreation: provide an integrated system of accessible parks, recreation facilities, trails and open space to serve the City of Santa Ana. • Policy OS-1.2: Parks and Recreation System • Policy OS-1.4: Park Distribution Page 11