HomeMy WebLinkAbout_2026 Emerson Park - Scope Reduction Cover Letter
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February 12, 2026
Kevin Glaudel
Office of Grants and Local Services
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Phone: (916) 902-8778
Email: Kevin.Glaudel@parks.ca.gov
Subject: Request for Scope Modification – Emerson Neighborhood Park (SW-40-002)
Dear Mr. Glaudel and OGALS Committee,
The City of San Luis Obispo is formally requesting approval for a modification to the original scope of the
Emerson Neighborhood Park project funded through the State Proposition 68 Grant program (Project
No. SW-40-002). Since the grant was awarded in fall 2021, the City has advanced project design and
received updated community input, prompting adjustments to the project scope to better reflect
current neighborhood and community needs while maintaining the core objectives of the project.
The proposed modification removes the dog park amenity from the Prop 68-funded construction scope
while retaining the current full grass turf area for recreational activities. The dog park amenity will
remain shown in the design as a future, City-funded add alternate, allowing the City to re-evaluate
community needs after the park improvement project is completed. The area originally planned for
partial conversion to a dog park is currently a well utilized turf field. While eliminating the dog park
amenity removes the cost of that feature, the City will still implement upgrades to the entire turf area to
create a high-quality and upgraded turf field. These improvements include irrigation upgrades, grading,
and installation of new turf. Additionally, the forecasted cost savings of removing the dog park amenity
allows for the inclusion of additional shade structures to be incorporated at the expanded playground
and the bocce court areas to ensure the space is safe, functional, and consistent with the overall park
design, providing enhanced recreational value for the community.
The City also acknowledges that a prior scope modification request for this project was reviewed and
approved by OGALS on March 12, 2025, with a primary focus on addressing funding constraints and
maintaining overall project viability. That approved modification included removal of three shade
structures (originally proposed over the dog park, outdoor exercise equipment, and bocce court areas),
removal of overhead lighting for the dog park, basketball court, and play areas, removal of solar lighting
around the facility, removal of the rainwater collection system from the restroom rooftop, removal of
perimeter decorative fencing, and scaling down the playground footprint to support the two age groups
(0–5 and 5–12 years of age).
As part of the City’s current request, the proposed removal of the dog park amenity from the Prop 68-
funded construction scope results in cost savings that allow the City to reintroduce select elements
previously removed through value engineering (specifically, one or more shade structures and limited
Docusign Envelope ID: 74E23CBB-AD60-4E38-9356-5A821D87DF0C
perimeter fencing) to enhance comfort, safety, and functionality in the upgraded playground and bocce
court areas while remaining consistent with the overall project design and community priorities.
Community engagement on the project was revitalized following the Parks and Recreation Commission
(PRC) meeting on September 3, 2025, when the revised 2025 concept designs were presented for
Commission review and community input. Following that meeting, community members expressed
concern for the loss of the full turf field area, as well as, the dog park being in close proximity to homes
and the upgraded playground. As a result of the feedback received, staff and the Commission agreed
that more information from the community would be extremely helpful at the current stage of design.
The Emerson Park project was formally scheduled for review and discussion at the February 4, 2026, PRC
meeting. Staff conducted community outreach to promote the PRC meeting and opportunity for the
neighborhood community to provide input on the current design. A mailer was sent out to over 780
addresses that border Emerson Park, as well as social media and City newsletter promotions.
During that PRC meeting of February 4, 2026, the Commission and staff received and reviewed 78
written public comments submitted in advance and heard 23 in-person comments. A significant majority
of these comments supported maintaining the full turf area and removing the dog park from the initial
construction phase, citing the benefits of open recreational space for all ages, and noise and parking
concerns that the dog park amenity would impact the neighborhood. The park has a small parking lot
that supports the on-site Parks and Recreation Department offices, and park users rely on street parking
or walk and bike from the neighborhood. The recent addition of the Laguna Lake Dog Park, completed
in 2025, was a significant factor in the community’s shift in requesting removal of the dog park amenity
from Emerson Park. Laguna Lake Dog Park is a 3-acre, fully gated facility with separate small-dog and
large-dog areas, and has expanded access to dedicated dog recreation space for the community.
Additionally, there are two upcoming community park projects that include formal dog park amenities.
The Righetti housing development includes a 12-acre community park and a ¾ acre dog park which are
scheduled to break ground for construction in March 2026, as well as the Avila Ranch housing
development which includes a large community park and sports complex that incorporates a 1-acre dog
park. The Avila Ranch park project is scheduled for construction in 2029.
After careful consideration of this input, the PRC voted 7–0 to recommend removal of the dog park
amenity while retaining the current turf area footprint. In addition, staff have proposed the opportunity
to secure City funds to include the dog park amenity for a potential future upgrade to Emerson Park if
the community desires after the Prop 68 Grant supported project is completed. This is the emphasis of
leaving the dog park amenity within the construction designs and listing it as an Add Alternate for a
future phase which would be funded by the City’s Park Improvement Funds.
The City understands that any removal or modification of a grant awarded amenity requires formal
review and approval through OGALS and the Competitive team. If the request is denied, the project
would proceed with the dog park amenity as originally awarded to remain consistent with grant
requirements. The Emerson Neighborhood Park Beautification project is funded by both the Prop 68
Grant ($2.81M) and City Park Improvement Funds ($1.3M), and the project design is currently at
approximately 50% construction document review. This proposed modification allows the project to
continue on schedule while responding to current community priorities and preserving the option to
add a dog park in the future if warranted at Emerson Park.
While this modification alters the initial scope, the City of San Luis Obispo maintains that it does not
depart from the long-term vision for Emerson Park. This request is also consistent with the City’s
Docusign Envelope ID: 74E23CBB-AD60-4E38-9356-5A821D87DF0C
broader approach to providing dog park amenities through dedicated facilities, including the recently
completed Laguna Lake Dog Park (2025) and planned future dog park projects such as Righetti Ranch
and Avila Ranch developments. Core amenities from the original 2021 grant submittal remain in the
project, including recreation turf areas, expanded playground upgrades for all ages, restroom facilities,
safety walkway lighting, blacktop and basketball court improvements, public art, educational garden,
and shade and hydration stations. Following completion of the grant-funded construction, the City
intends to re-evaluate the potential for a dog park based on community interest and park usage
patterns; however, current public input and PRC guidance indicate that the overwhelming majority does
not support including a dog park in the initial phase of the project.
The City appreciates the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s continued support and
respectfully requests approval of this scope modification so that final design and construction may
proceed consistent with PRC direction, community priorities, and the objectives of the Prop 68 grant.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Scott Collins
Assistant City Manager
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Greg Avakian
Director – Parks and Recreation Department
City of San Luis Obispo
1341 Nipomo Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Attachment:
Proposed Modified Design 2026 and Current Park Design 2025
Grant Scope Cost Estimates- Updated 2026
Docusign Envelope ID: 74E23CBB-AD60-4E38-9356-5A821D87DF0C
Comparison of Scope Modification Request - Project Designs
2026 Scope Modification (Removal of Dog Park Amenity)
2025 Approved Scope
Docusign Envelope ID: 74E23CBB-AD60-4E38-9356-5A821D87DF0C
Grant Scope/Cost Estimate Form
Emerson Neighborhood Park Revitalization Project
Grant Scope Items
Initial Estimate
Cost
Approved
Revised Cost
March 2025
2026 Requested
Revised Cost
Construct a New Restroom, Hydration Stations
(2) & Water Service $690,000 $810,000 $810,000
Resurface Black Top $150,000 $150,000 $150,000
Construct New Educational Garden $120,000 $120,000 $120,000
Playground Expansion (addition of 5-12 yr) $400,000 $400,000 $400,000
Relocation of (2) Bocce Courts $60,000 $60,000 $60,000
Construct New Landscaping, improve irrigation,
and Conduct Site Work (On-Site ADA
improvements, bio-swales, permeable pavers,
drainage, hardscape, grading, etc.) $370,000 $490,000 $520,000
1/2 Acre Large/Small Dog Park w/ fencing $200,000 $150,000 $0
Construct (3) New Shade Structures $60,000 $0 $60,000
Court Program Lighting $60,000 $0 $0
Safety Lighting $80,000 $80,000 $80,000
Removal of Chain Link Fencing; Installation of
Decorative Fencing (where applicable) $60,000 $0 $60,000
Construction Management and Inspection $300,000 $300,000 $300,000
Public Art Mural and Tile Material $10,000 $0 $0
Total Estimated Cost for the RECREATION
FEATURES and MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITIES (A) $2,560,000 $2,560,000 $2,560,000
Total Estimated PRE-CONSTRUCTION COST (B) $250,000 $250,000 $250,000
TOTAL PROJECT COST (A+B) $2,810,000 $2,810,000 $2,810,000
Requested GRANT Amount $2,810,000 $2,810,000 $2,810,000
Estimated amount of the GRANT to be charged
to PRE-CONSTRUCTION COSTS $250,000 $250,000 $250,000
Docusign Envelope ID: 74E23CBB-AD60-4E38-9356-5A821D87DF0C