HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08 - Prentice Park Deed ModificationParks, Recreation, and Community Services
www.santa-ana.org/parks
Item # 8
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
June 20, 2023
TOPIC: Prentice Park Deed Modification
AGENDA TITLE
Receive and File Update on Prentice Park Deed and Zoo Master Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive and file.
DISCUSSION
Over the past 71 years, the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park has grown from an open
field with several monkey exhibits into a vibrant and thriving organization with
conservation and animal well-being at its core. Through fun, adventure, and learning,
the Zoo empowers the community to save wildlife and wild spaces. In keeping with
modern animal management and husbandry, the animal habitats and practices are
constantly being improved. The Zoo employs over 25 full-time employees and 40 part-
time employees, and is supported by over 100 volunteers. It is estimated that the Zoo
will contribute over $200 million to the local economy between 2019 and 2028 with
continued implementation of the Master Plan.
The Zoo was founded upon the donation of 12 acres of land from Mr. Joseph Edward
Prentice with a desire to develop a Zoo for the community and provide opportunities for
the children in Santa Ana. The donation came with a number of conditions and the
action recently taken and included as an exhibit with this staff report modifies the deed
by striking one condition specific to the number of monkeys at the Zoo. While the Zoo
has always endeavored to maintain 50 monkeys for visitors, with the evolution of zoo
management and modern animal husbandry practices, this requirement has become
less attainable and optimal over time.
With support of the Prentice Family, this deed modification provides clarity as we
proceed with implementation of the Master Plan, the driver of future development. In
2018, the City Council approved a 20-year Master Plan for Zoo and a number of
projects are currently under construction or in planning stages. An area of focus in the
plan and the only area remaining relatively unchanged since the founding of the Zoo is
the north end area, where the highest concentration of primate habitats exist.
Prentice Park Deed Modification
Page 2
The Master Plan identifies the Primate Forest Project as a redevelopment opportunity
for the north end of the Zoo. The very name —Primate Forest —evokes wondrous
images of lush forests with playful monkeys swinging through towering rainforest trees;
these very images inspire an entirely new immersive experience. The future dynamic
new habitats promise to inspire visitors with a deeper understanding of worldwide
conservation efforts and a more comprehensive appreciation for protecting our
endangered species.
While the Primate Forest is still in early planning stages, some antiquated monkey
habitats were removed over the years and additional habitats will be removed with
completion of the Amazon's Edge Project, which is currently under construction. This
modification provides clarity and assurance as the Zoo moves into the future. Simply
put, this will allow staff to focus on the work that matters, operating a great cultural asset
for the community, contributing to valuable conservation programs, and building on the
71-year legacy.
Staff considers the history of primate conservation a key part of the Zoo's identity and
intends to honor that legacy in perpetuity.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement
Submitted By: Hawk Scott, Executive Dir. of Parks, Recreation and Community
Services
Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager
RECORDING REQUESTED
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
City of Santa Ana/Office of the City Attorney
20 Civic Center Plaza, 7th Floor
Santa Ana CA 92701
Recorded in Official Records, Orange County
Hugh Nguyen, Clerk -Recorder
III �'lll'ii I![I ![III II lIIII IIlIIlf I�lN'�IIII![ 'Ilia![ NO FEE
*$ R 0 0 1 4 3 4 3 7 9 Q$
2023000107575 3:12 pm 05/09/23
63 RW11A Al2 6
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 0.00 0.000.000.00 0.00
THIS SPACE IS FOR RECORDERS USE ONLY
Exempt from Filing Fees Per Government Code Sections 6103 and 27381
AGREEMENT TO AMEND DECLARATION OF RESTRICTION
(MODIFICATION TO RESTRICTION}
(Title of Document)
Exempt from Recording Fees Per Government Code Section 27383
Recording Requested By And
When Recorded Mail To:
City of Santa Ana
Clerk of the Council
20 Civic Center Plaza (M-30)
P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Attention: Clerk of the Council
And
County of Orange, Real Estate Services
333 West Santa Ana Blvd, 3rd Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(Space Above for Recorder's Use)
Exempt from Recordation Fee per Gov. Code § 6103 and 27383
AGREEMENT TO AMEND DECLARATION OF RESTRICTION
(MODIFICATION TO RESTRICTION)
The grant deed, recorded July 21, 1949, and referenced herein, contains a use
restriction whereby the original conveyance of property was made to the City of
Santa Ana subject to the following conditions: 'T That said premises shall be
used for City Park only. 2. That said City Park shall be named 'Prentice Park.' 3.
That at all times ample accommodations shall be provided for 50 monkeys.
And a minimum of 50 monkeys shall be maintained on said premises at all
times." The deed further provides that "at such time that any of the above
conditions are not fulfilled, the same shall cause the premises to revert to the
grantor, his heirs or assigns, and grantors, his heirs and assigns shall be
entitled to immediate possession thereof" (the "Reversionary Interest").
By grant deed, recorded on March 30, 1954, and as shown on page 476 of book
2698, or as instrument No. 23165, of the official records of the County of Orange,
State of California, Grantor as described above conveyed the Reversionary Interest
to Mr. Jac Crawford. The undersigned represents that he is the sole living heir to
Mr. Jac Crawford.
Pursuant to California Civil Code sections 885.010, 885.030, and 885.070, the
Reversionary Interest is considered a "Power of Termination" of record that has
now expired as matter of law. Pursuant to California Civil Code section 885.060(b),
expiration of a power of termination operates to terminate the restriction to which
the fee simple estate is subject.
Accordingly, this document is being recorded solely for the purpose of striking and
eliminating that use restriction as shown on the grant deed recorded on July 21,
1949 and recorded in book 1876 and page 280 of the official records of the County
of Orange, State of California. Attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is a true, correct and
complete copy of said document, with the use restriction stricken. :Fhis-
mAd0f0r-.;4tiam 4Qr-i-rreHt shall b iRdexed
The effective date of the terms and conditions of this
modification document shall be the date of recording.
Dated 047-& vY 0---, G-
J CRAWFORD, JR.
Sale Heir of Grantor
CALIFORNIA ACKNOWLEDGMENT
CIVIL CODE § 1189
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document
to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
State of Ca ' ornia
Courtly of
On before me,Q-G.
Date n (} Here Insert N-otid a d Titl of the Offic r
personally appeared
Nome(s) of Signer(s)
who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person;f<inrhose narn re subscribed
to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that ze he/they executed the same in pis herltheir
authorized capacity(ies), and that by(Dherltheir signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity
upon behalf of which the perso�kacted, executed the instrument.
CARLA ANN FOGLIO
W' 3 Notary Public - California
San Luis Ob€spa County
Commission # 2336667
My Comm. Expires Oct 24, 2024 y
Place Notary Seal and/or Stomp Above
i certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the
laws of the State of California that the foregoing
paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature
OPTIONAL
Signature of Notary
Completing this information can deter alteration of the document or
fraudulent reattachment of this farm to an unintended document.
Description of Attached Document
Title or Type of Document: Pz t]
Document Date:
Signer(s) Other Than Named Above:
Capacity(ies) Claimed by Signer(s)
Signer's Name:
❑ Corporate Officer- Title(s):
❑ Partner - ❑ Limited ❑ General
❑ Individual ❑ Attorney in Fact
❑ Trustee ❑ Guardian or Conservator
❑ Other:
Signer is Representing:
02019 National Notary Association
Number of Pages:
Signer's Name:
❑ Corporate Officer - Title(s):
❑ Partner - ❑ Limited ❑ General
❑ Individual ❑ Attorney in Fact
❑ Trustee ❑ Guardian or Conservator
❑ Other:
Signer is Representing:
Exhibit A
.. GRANT DLFD tl??
FOR A FALUABLZ CONSIDSRkTION, reosi t of which is hereby aoknaww-
J,
//! lodged, J. M.iPRENTICk, does hereby Grant to CTTV O! SANTL AM, a
runioipal corporation of the fifth olame, the real property in the
County of Orange, State of California, described as followni
That portion of Lot AL of the Stafford and Tustin Tract, as shown
on a map recorded in Book 21 at page 618,of Miscellaneous Records of
Los Angeles County, California, bounded and desoribed as followst
Beginning at the point of intersection of the Eaaterly line or
said Lot A with the Southerly line of First Street, and Punning thence
South S94 071 30' Sleet along mild Southerly line of first street 36.3_lg
feet; thence South 99' 11+ 20' Wert along maid Southerly Tine of First
Street 15.92 feat; thanoe South O" 141 50' tarot, parallel with the
Eaeteriy, line of Bald Lot k 124-0.75 feat to the Northerly line of
?lair► Street; thnnae North 86 05 ' 3O" t. Easslang &aid Northerly Tina
Of !lain st set 379 feet to the Easterly line of m id Lot Al; thence
North 00 It' 50 West along gall. Easterly line 12�0.52 teat to the
point of beginning.
ALSO all lntereat of the grantor in the Southerly half of First
Street adjoining said land on the North, and the Northerly half of
!lain Street adjoining call land on the South.
Sil8,iCUT TO Td$ FOLLOWING'.
1. Taxes for the fiscal year 1949-50, a lien.
2. Covenants, oonditione, restrictions, reservations, rights, rights
of way and easements, if any, of record.
This conveyance is made speoi<fiaa3,1y upon the following oondi-
tions:
1. That said premises shall be used for City Parr only.
2. That said City Park shall be named_"Prentioa Park'.
AT BUCH TIM that Any.
the above acnditions are not fulfilled, the eame shall cause the premimea.
to revert to the grantor, his 3iaLrC-or�aasigns, and grantor , his halre
or aaeigns shall be entitled to lamediate oaseeeion thereof.
Dated May 20, 1949.
Internal Revenue Stamps
not required.
STATA OF CALIFORNIA j ■a.
County of Orange. )
On Juns 20, 1949, before ;'am, the
ynctersigned, a, Notary Public In
for said County and State,
'-,.-:personally appeared J.E.PRENTIOM,
known to me to be the person whose
name is subscribed to the within
lnstrumedt and aoknowledged that
.he, *Xkuted the same.
1fIT my hand and official anal.
a cry u o n s or es
County and State.
49001DED AT EXgUIST ns'
14EL1wNCE 7 %e co,4p ",,
JUL 21 ISO as 9;ao A. m '
%w• ivy, C.U&rWJA
When recorded, return toi
City of Santa Ana,,
flity Hail
Banta Ana, California