Parks and Recreation Master Plan

proposals from highly qualified individuals or firms to manage, facilitate and prepare The City of Gardena’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This plan will set the framework for decision-makers in the planning, maintenance, development and/or rehabilitation of the City of Gardena’s parks, open space and outdoor recreation facilities for a 15-year horizon. OVERVIEW OF CITY OF GARDENA The City of Gardena was incorporated on September 11, 1930, as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Policy-making and legislative authority are vested in a governing council consisting of four members of the City Council and an elected Mayor. Gardena offers a full range of municipal services, including police and code enforcement; recreation and human services; public works; streets and parks; planning and building services; engineering; transportation services and general administration. The City of Gardena is a full-service city of 5.9 square miles with an

ethnically mixed population of just under 62,000. The City of Gardena’s Recreation and Human Services Department is dedicated to enriching the lives of Gardena residents by providing clean and safe recreation facilities that allow for exceptional recreational, therapeutic, cultural, educational, and social programs and services. The City of Gardena’s Recreation and Human Services Department strives to provide high quality, affordable programs and services that help build strong families, empowered youth, vital seniors, and an overall healthy community. The City of Gardena has six parks with community buildings, two gymnasiums, one parkette, a large-two story community center and the Gardena Wetland Preserve located next to Johnson Park. The Willows Wetland Preserve is 13.6 acres and includes a unique riparian/wetland area, a 3⁄4 mile easy trail perimeter path, living examples of Southern California native plant communities, a covered outdoor ramada for hands-on instruction, and a water-wise native plant demonstration garden. The City is currently in the process of a pool reconstruction project that includes building a new Senior Center at the old Primm Pool site. Also, a newly acquired Chase Bank Building located on Rosecrans Boulevard is slated to become a new Community Center. Mas Fukai Park is the process of a revision. The City is responsible for the creation, development, implementation, and administration of recreational, social and community service programs and activities, as well as special events. Recreation programs are categorized into distinct service areas: adult sports, youth sports, and senior events. The City also provides several youth and family programs such as emergency food services, family child care, mental health services and homeless services. These programs service individuals and families on a walk-in, appointment, and referral basis. In addition, the city provides Page 4 of 1