La Colonia Park Master Plan Updates and Interim Improvements

At the July 16, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council unanimously approved updates to the La Colonia Park Master Plan and authorized interim enhancements for the vacant lot north of the skate park and basketball courts. These decisions, outlined in Resolution 2025-088, set the stage for both immediate park improvements and long-term planning of a new multi-level community center.

Key Interim Improvements

The approved interim plan will transform the currently vacant 3/4-acre lot into a more functional and inviting space including

• A meandering D.G. trail linking pedestrians to the S.B. Heritage Museum & Park.
• A shaded seating area with a wood trellis and picnic tables.
• Landscaping with drought-tolerant plants, preserved lemon trees, and additional greenery.
• An open event lawn designed to complement future amphitheater-style gatherings.

These interim enhancements will be funded by the FY 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which allocated $250,000 for design and construction, with an additional $50,000 set aside in FY 2026/2027. The City's Engineering Department completed the conceptual design in-house, reducing costs. 

Long-Term Master Plan Updates

In addition to the interim improvements, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to the broader Master Plan, which includes:

• Renovations to the existing community center, including new windows, expanded classroom space, and a folding glass door for seamless indoor-outdoor use.
• Future plans on the vacant lot for a three-level Youth and Senior Community Center, with parking, event space, and city programming areas.
• Additional shaded picnic areas, event spaces, and improved flow between the existing park and expansion areas.

Next Steps

City Staff will now move forward with detailed design and bidding for the interim improvements, which are expected to begin construction in 2026. Extensive community outreach, including workshops and public meetings, will continue to shape the final design of future community center.