CALIFORNIA STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY

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SAN'rIAGO PARK PHASE I CONs'I' uMON "Based on the accompanying staff report and attached exhibits, the State Coastal Conservancy hereby finds that: 1. The proposed authorization is consistent with Chapter 4.6 of Division 21 of the Public Resources Code, regarding the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program and funding for public access to, enjoyment of, and enhancement of the recreational and educational experience on program lands in a manner consistent with the protection of land and natural resources and economic resources in the Santa Ana River area and its tributaries. 2. The proposed project is consistent with the current Conservancy Project Selection Criteria and Guidelines." Staff recommends that the Conservancy authorize disbursement of $250,000 to the City of Santa Ana to design Phase It of the Santiago Park improvements. The proposed project includes design and engineering for improving the Main Street entrance to Santiago Park (See Exhibit 1). Plans will include the following elements: native riparian landscaping and irrigation; new and improved parking; viewing decks overlooking Santiago Creels, security lighting; separated pedestrian walkway, bicycle trail and roadway into the park; interpretive signage; and improved ADA accessibility (See Exhibit 2). The existing Main Street park entrance has a single roadway that is shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic. The proposed project will develop designs for separating the pedestrian walkway, bike trail, and vehicular road, The pedestrian walkway and decomposed granite jogging trail will connect to two viewing decks overlooking Santiago Creek. The viewing decks will include interpretive signage that will provide information about Santiago Creek, groundwater infiltration and water supply, native and drought tolerant plants along the creek and throughout Santiago Park, and wildlife that depend on the riparian habitat. The proposed project will further include siting of new security lighting over the walkways and bike trail, providing a safer experience in the park. The City of Santa Ana's stated goals for the project are to increase public use of Santiago Park, create separate trails for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles to reduce user conflicts and improve safety, improve ADA accessibility to Santiago Park, and provide public information about Santiago Creek and its vegetation and wildlife. A final goal is to support recreational and educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth visiting the Discovery Cube Orange County who visit Santiago Park as part of the field trip experience. Site Description: Santiago Park is a 35-acre park adjacent to Santiago Creek in the City of Santa Ana, Orange County. Santiago Creek is a tributary to the Santa Ana River. The park includes a regional bike trail that connects adjacent cities to the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway. The park also includes the Santiago Creek Wildlife and Watershed Center, a log cabin, a playground Page 2 of 6 r