Commissioners Present: Maldonado, McKendry, Freeman, Talavera

Department Updates:

1. Union Pacific Trail – A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the trail, which will connect Independence Park to Union Pacific Park. Construction is currently in progress.

2. Union Pacific Park – A Kaboom grant has been awarded for the installation of a playground at the park. A Design Day was held on June 16 to gather community feedback on different design elements. A Playground Build Day is scheduled for September 13, and volunteer participation is encouraged. The park is expected to reopen around mid-October.

3. Fullerton Golf Course – A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been released for the construction of the golf course, with an agreement expected to be finalized in September.

4. Movies in the Park – Family movie nights will take place on Wednesday evenings in July at various city parks, starting at 6:30 p.m. Exhibit Art is sponsoring these evenings and providing free popcorn for children.

5. Downtown Market – The Thursday evening street markets are bustling again, featuring fifty vendors, live bands, and a splash pad for children.

6. Fourth of July – The Fourth of July was celebrated with a morning bike parade that attracted 5,000 attendees and a Classic Car Show with 60 entries in the downtown plaza. In the evening, over 15,000 people visited downtown, enjoying an eighties band, food booths, a kid’s fun zone, and a fireworks display.

7. Camp Hillcrest – The city’s summer camp is in full swing, with children recently enjoying outings to go bowling and attend an Angels’ game.

8. Richman Outdoor Equity Grant – Parks and Recreation is currently organizing excursions, including an overnight trip to Laguna Lake and a visit to Catalina Island for children from neighborhoods that lack access to outdoor venues.

9. Sports and Fitness – A variety of tennis summer camps are being offered, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Ongoing activities include pickleball, soccer, and basketball at the Fullerton Community Center.

10. Senior Camp – A Golden Days summer camp for older adults will be held at Hunt Branch Library in July, along with ongoing health and wellness workshops.

11. Fullerton Quinceañera Expo – In August, the city will host an expo featuring local vendors, food, drinks, and prizes.

Commissioner Comments:

McKendry praised the successful bike parade, while Talavera expressed appreciation for the Fourth of July celebration and suggested it could become an all-day event. Staff explained that the downtown area must be cleared midday to allow ride operators and booths to set up for the evening festivities. Maldonado recognized the effective safety measures provided for the bike parade and inquired about volunteering for the Kaboom Build.

Public Comments:

Former commissioner Jensen Hallstrom raised concerns about the lack of shade in the design selected for the Kaboom playground. He encouraged the incorporation of more natural elements, such as logs, boulders, plants, and trees, highlighting studies that support the benefits of open-ended, nature-based, unstructured play for children.

A resident with children involved in local sports expressed concerns about perceived favoritism from one of the coaches in his children’s sports league and sought the commission’s attention for redress. McKendry explained that the city only manages field use allocation and recommended contacting a board member of the league directly.

Relocation of Farmer’s Market:

The Certified Farmer’s Market currently operates on Wednesday mornings with about 20 vendors, but is planning on the return of more vendors once they relocate to Independence Park on Valencia Dr.

Established in 1996, it was initially based at Woodcrest Park but moved to Independence Park in 2009. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it was relocated to its current spot in the parking lot behind the Fullerton Community Center. The market has enjoyed a successful long-term relationship with the city, with consistent vendors, and its current lease has been extended until 2027. The market organizer wishes to return it to Independence Park.

Current location inconveniences include a reduced number of parking spaces available for seniors participating in programs at the Fullerton Community Center and attendees at baseball games sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club.

City staff recommend agreeing to the Independence Park relocation, which would revitalize the market, increase the number of vendors, and provide better access for the larger community.

Commissioners inquired whether future construction plans would affect the market’s operation and whether vendors were informed about upcoming projects. Staff responded that there is adequate parking at Independence Park and that ongoing projects, like the construction of the Union Pacific Trail, would not interfere with the Farmer’s Market operation. It was suggested that the Wednesday market be advertised more frequently and included on social media.

Commissioner Freeman proposed that the city develop a park master plan for the next 15 to 20 years, incorporating shade studies, walkability studies, and more. He suggested designating recent park fee funds for a long-term plan, ensuring a strategic allocation of future resources.