Commissioners Present: Talavera, Maldonado, Chair McKendry, and Vice Chair Freeman

Department Updates

April was a busy month at the Tennis Center, 110 E Valencia Mesa Dr, Fullerton, with over 1,000 reservations. The pickleball conversion project began on May 11 and is expected to take 2-3 weeks to finish, adding 8 pickleball courts to the 9 existing tennis courts.  

Staff welcomed the new facility coordinator, Kate Hernandez.

The Union Pacific Park Community Garden was completed on Love Fullerton Day, sponsored by OneOC.  The project included using tarps with two people, filling them with dirt and dumping them into the ten garden boxes. It was hard work, but a great gift to the community as they became gardens in this South Central part of Fullerton. The park is beautifully renovated due to the great work by the city of Fullerton staff.  The city will now create an interest list for the utilization of its garden box spaces. Two of them will be reserved for educational use, and the rest will be allocated to interested individuals by lottery to create their own personal gardens. 

The night market has returned, and new vendors are participating. 4:30 to 8:30pm, Every Thursday, local farmers, artisans, merchants, and nonprofit organizations offer unique products and services in a fun, festive atmosphere. The market features fresh produce, prepared food, arts and crafts, jewelry, novelty and gift items, live entertainment and family and children’s activities. BAND LINE UP: June 4: Soundbytes June 11: Johnny Ramos & The Doowopdeathboys June 18: The Belairs June 25: Superlark July 9: Hot Rod Trio July 16: The Answer July 23: Orange Whip Band July 30: The Mike Taylor Band August 6: Rhythm Jukebox August 13: Last Call OC August 20 Lover Sonicos August 27: The Split September 3: The Centuries Museum Plaza 125 E Wilshire Ave, Fullerton (657) 683-4661

The first-ever Fullerton Coffee Fest will be held on May 30 at the Hunt Branch Library and feature 25 unique coffee vendors, live acoustic music, and presentations by OC Poetry Slam. The Hunt Branch Library is located at 201 S Basque Ave, Fullerton.

Also debuting this year will be a Fullerton Fit 5K and Wellness Run at the Fullerton Sports Complex, 560 Silver Pine St, Fullerton, on June 6. Over 211 people have registered, and   Parks and Recreation is accepting participant sign-ups until June 5 or until registration reaches capacity.  

Current programs for youth include volleyball, taekwondo, pickleball, archery, karate and babysitter training, while the Outdoor Equity Grant will sponsor 48 attendees on a trip to Catalina Island.  

Current senior programs include ukulele classes, a senior drum circle, Crafternoons and the monthly Discover Fullerton on Foot tours, which highlight different historical sectors of the city.  The Spring Fling celebration was attended by 100 people, and morning trail hikes around the city have resumed for anyone over 18.  May programming for Older Adults included a lovely Tea Party and a Mother’s Day celebration, while a Senior Prom will be held on May 21.  Upcoming workshops include caregiving, drought-tolerant gardening and a flag-ironing event. 

Hunt Branch library is hosting a Baby Rave for families and is offering My Little and Me Craft Time as well as Try It Fridays for crafts.

Commissioner Comments

Maldonado wondered whether non-profits could apply for garden space, and staff clarified that, under their lottery system, organizations can apply as well as individuals.  

Freeman asked for an update on the planned Fourth of July celebration and wondered if it might not be scaled back due to city budget deficits.  Staff responded that the popular fireworks and bike parade would be included, but that reductions in planned spending could occur in other areas.

Public Comments

Jensen Hallstrom urged attention to the state of the Urban Forest Management Plan and cited deficiencies such as a lack of standards for inspection of hazardous trees, especially at Acacia Park, where dead eucalyptus trees were not being tended.  

Maria Figueroa, president of the Woodcrest Association, stated that neighborhood families hope to host movie nights at Woodcrest Park again and are seeking equipment to support this summer tradition.  They are requesting city support for a large screen, an electrical outlet and assistance with publicity.

Presentation

The City’s Planning Division presented an update on the Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan for Fullerton.  It is necessary to ensure equitable access for all residents, enhance the role of open space in climate adaptation to create a safer environment, and preserve and expand a network of habitats for local plants and wildlife.  Major goals of the plan include balancing public use with ecological health, funding and acquiring future open spaces, protecting natural habitats, expanding accessible trails and parks, boosting climate resilience and wildlife corridors, adding tree canopy in Districts 4 and 5, and ensuring community participation and multilingual outreach. 

The city conducted surveys with over 600 online participants and held 150 in-person meetings. The community indicated strong use of open spaces in town and identified common barriers to access, including time constraints, a lack of amenities and safety concerns.  Desired improvements were cleaner and more accessible restrooms, better parking, more shaded seating and picnic areas, improved maintenance, restrictions on ebikes and enhanced safety measures.  Over 78% of respondents said they observe wildlife in town and recommended more planting of native trees and vegetation, cultivating tree canopy and restoring native habitats. Staff shared that Fullerton ranks healthier than 82% of other California cities in terms of park access; several census tracts need improved access to open space.

Commissioner Comments

Mckendry urged ongoing concern for financial prudence, including prices for each step of the action plan, and continuing outreach in multiple languages to the community.  

Freeman recommended focusing on ensuring safe routes to parks and on key performance metrics.  

Talavera suggested identifying neighborhood groups for support and developing public /private partnerships to achieve goals.  

Maldonado recommended action on the Woodcrest Association’s request and appreciated the input of tribal groups in forming the city’s overall plan.