March 15, 2021
On March 15, 2021 were joined by Pamela Galera, the Parks Manager for the City of Anaheim. She has been in Anaheim for 14 years and before coming to our fair city, she was the park planner in Orange for 6 years. She was also involved in OCTA in transportation planning.
Pamela has the same job as Rudy Boysen of whom we heard about a couple of weeks ago.
Working with the utilities department, the parks department assists in the care and maintenance of parks, libraries, golf courses and human and neighborhood services. These are all in constant change, growing and decreasing in accordance with the city council’s mandates. Setting priorities to meet the needs of an ever-changing community, as well as their requests, council priorities, and funding areas are paramount. So are searching out new grant opportunities, current projects, and previously identified projects.
Our city has 66 parks that cover 700 acres. They include 50 tot lots, 60 restrooms, 8 building facilities, 50 ball fields (3 of which are class A fields), 40 soccer fields, 2 splash pads, 1 swimming pool, 4 dog parks and 8 skate parks.
The city has implemented a 10-minute walk campaign which is a trust in public land where in any public park should be a half mile walk from any resident. Considerations for park use include populations such as seniors, at risk youth and families, active sports, passive recreation, and special utilities such as dog and skate parks.
In the ways of funding, a capital funding scheme has been implemented wherein developers pay fees that go towards the care and maintenance of these public spaces. Other sources include grants, CDBG Grants, general fund, rents and fees, developer-built parks, and private donations.
Another exciting addition to our city is in the platinum triangle by the Angel’s Stadium. Completed in June 2019, the Coves is located along the Santa Ana River between Ball Road and Frontera Street; leased from the Orange County Water District through grant funding. This beautiful 26-acre nature park was created in cooperation with the Orange County Water District, Orange County Flood Control District, and Southern California Edison. The site offers 2.5 miles of accessible multi-use trail system, fitness zones, educational amenities, native habitat, and a nature play area with an archeological dig and zipline. What was once filled with crime and weeds shall now provide a vibrant park with the opportunity to commune with nature.
Every project has undertaken has been met with opposition but the ones who oppose usually turn out to be the best advocates.
For more information on the Anaheim Parks, please visit the City Website at:
Parks & Facilities | Anaheim, CA – Official Website
The Child Abuse Prevention Hotline is 800-207-4464 and locally 714-940-1000
