October 28, 2024 at 10:11 pm by Bella Astin and Lauren Ludwick
The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District has officially begun the construction phase of the Pardall Gardens Renovation Project, opening its “bid notice,” a request for proposals from contractors on Oct. 9.
The Isla Vista Recreation and Park District engaged the community for initial opinions on possible park renovations. Melea Maglalang / Daily Nexus
IVRPD is responsible for the maintenance and management of Isla Vista’s public parks, green spaces and recreational facilities. Pardall Gardens is a 7,273-square-foot, fenced-off plot of land on Pardall Road. For the last three years, the I.V. Recreation and Parks District (IVRPD) has been working to revitalize the land.
Now, after over a year, the project has reached the construction stage. Due to IVRPD’s status as a public agency, they cannot decide the contracting party. Instead, they must release a bid package, allowing contractors to apply to work on the project.
The bid package is a 500-page document detailing the proposed project, including construction plans, district requirements, required insurances and government code laws, among others. Contractors are required to purchase the document to become plan holders before applying.
The bid application window is open until Nov. 7, when the department will open and review the bids received and the contract will be officially awarded to a contractor a week later, on Nov. 14.
The expected construction timeline is around three months, aiming for completion in April 2025. There will then be a 30-day maintenance period to allow the park to settle and an official grand opening in May or June 2025.
Spaces in I.V. such as Little Acorn Park and Sea Lookout Park fall under its jurisdiction. IVRPD Assistant General Manager Luis Valerio explained that after receiving a total of over $500,000 combined from a Per Capita Grant, Measure O Grant and Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement (RIRE) Grant, they began work on Pardall Gardens.
Projects of this caliber often take around two to three years to get accomplished, according to IVRPD’s General Manager Kimberly Kiefer. The Pardall Gardens Renovation Project underwent a lengthy approval and permitting process.
“We were originally quoted eight to 12 weeks [for the permitting process],” Valerio said.“But it ended up taking almost a year to see development plan approval. And then you have to go to Building and Safety … It definitely took longer than expected, but we’re excited to be here now.”
In the debate between three design concepts for the park, IVRPD and partner Pacific Coast Land Design engaged the community for initial opinions through two large boards in November, 2021 in front of Pardall Gardens with QR codes to surveys and chalk to write opinions.
After assessing three ideas to emphasize social, peaceful or playful elements to the park, respondents settled in a vote on a peaceful park with accessible pathways to platforms and illuminative fixtures. However, Valerio said that the final design is a culmination of all the options, featuring many social aspects like picnic benches and a wide stage-like area while maintaining the peaceful park plans people voted on.
The new design plans, made public in 2021, will follow a xeriscape model, meaning little-to-no irrigation is needed to maintain the land and drought-tolerant shrubbery and trees that are native to the region are set to be included according to IVRPD. The construction teams will be adding in Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant features in replacement of the former picnic tables and trash cans.
The renovations also include the removal of two block walls and other waterproof surfaces to replace them with a sand filter swale, which can better manage stormwater runoff and morning precipitation, according to the Santa Barbara Contractors Association.
A new shaded canopy and new sitting areas consisting of renovated benches, tables and seats are part of physical renovations to take place. A small bridge will be built across the sand basin allowing visitors to walk across the parcel.
After finishing negotiations with the hired contractors, IVRPD plans on breaking ground in January 2025 and celebrating this milestone with an event open to the community.
IVRPD staff members believe that the park’s location along the Pardall Bike Tunnel will provide what Kiefer calls a “grandiose entry into Isla Vista” from campus. She said its landscape will offer an escape from the business and noise prevalent in the area and support businesses by providing additional seating for patrons of I.V. restaurants.
“One thing that really excites us about this park is that it’s going to support connections to the business corridor,” Kiefer said in reference to the restaurants.
Additionally, the space may even become open to rent for community events, which the team hopes will foster connection among I.V. residents.
“Anytime we’re transforming space to a better state, it is a great opportunity to educate people about the value of open space,” Kiefer said.
A version of this article appeared on p. 4 of the Oct. 24, 2024 edition of the Daily Nexus.
October 28, 2024 at 10:11 pm by Bella Astin and Lauren Ludwick
