Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

CLICK HERE FOR PHASE TWO INFORMATION

Goleta's newest park is now open at 170 S. Kellogg Avenue (corner of Hollister & Kellogg Avenues in Old Town)!

On March 30, 2019, the City held an opening celebration.

JDW Park Opening_IMG_9347 JDW Park Opening_IMG_9598

Description

The City purchased a 4-acre site near the corner of Hollister and Kellogg Avenues in Old Town in order to bring an exciting new park to the community with amenities that make it a fantastic place for not only children to play, but adults as well. The Parks & Recreation Commission has worked closely with staff and the community to design a facility to meet the needs of today and the future for residents of Old Town. The final park design is based on public input from various workshops and stakeholder meetings. It has evolved to contain a multitude of recreational amenities and landscaping, including a multi-purpose field, basketball court, handball court, concrete ping-pong table, bocce ball court, pickleball court, perimeter walking path, fitness nodes with exercise equipment, picnic areas, skateboard plaza and splash pad (which will be installed during phase two).

Purpose and Need

It has been a desire of the City to increase the amount of active recreation space within Old Town Goleta for many years and is an identified need within the City’s strategic plan. With the purchase of this four acre parcel, this goal has become a reality.

Funding Sources

The City recently received a grant of $910,000 from the Proposition 84 funds for construction. The City also received a $10,000 grant from the Davenport Institute for the public engagement process. The rest of the funding has come from Park Developer Impact Fees.

Current Phase

The park opened to the public on March 30, 2019! City Council awarded a construction contract in May 2018 to C.S. Legacy Construction to begin building the highly-anticipated park in Old Town.

This project has experienced some hurdles, but has always remained a priority for the City. Below is a recap of events:

Milestones

June 21, 2011 - The City’s Redevelopment Agency (RDA) acquired the four acres at identified as 170 S. Kellogg Avenue for development of a future neighborhood park.
February 1, 2012 - State legislation adopted in 2011 went into effect requiring dissolution of all redevelopment agencies in the state. This put the property and proposed use of the property in question.
February 7, 2012 - The City Council awarded a design services contract to Van Atta Associates landscape architects for design of the Hollister/Kellogg Park.
March 26, 2012 – The City was awarded a $910,000 State Prop 84 grant for construction of the park. As one of the requirements of the grant, the environmental review process for the park had to be completed by mid-October 2013.

October 2, 2012 – Pursuant to SB18, Offer for Tribal Consultation letters were mailed to 33 local Native American Tribal representatives and other interested parties. The consultation period ended on January 8, 2013. Only one comment was received, from a Chumash representative, who requested that the City be very careful when doing work in this sensitive area. The adopted MND includes a mitigation measure requiring monitoring by an archaeologist and tribal representative during ground-disturbing activities.

February 19, 2013 – The City Council adopted a resolution of intent affirming its desire to “purchase” or re-acquire the park site that was owned by the City’s former RDA.
September 9, 2013 - The Planning Commission considered the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan (GP/CLUP) amendments, a rezone for the park site, and the environmental review documents for the Project and recommended approval of all.

October 1, 2013 – The City Council approved an Addendum to the GP/CLUP Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed GP/CLUP amendment, and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the rezone and development of the Project. A Notice of Determination (NOD) was filed with the County Clerk on October 4, 2013.

September 2015 - A final design of Old Town Park was brought to the City Council for consideration. The City Council provided direction to staff for some modifications.
November 2016 - Staff made the requested changes and the revised park design incorporating the City Council feedback was taken back to the Parks and Recreation Commission incorporating the City Council feedback.
July 18, 2017 - City Council unanimously approved the final design for Hollister/Kellogg Park at Hollister and South Kellogg Avenues in Old Town.
January 2018 - The City received final confirmation from the State of California to proceed with the purchase of Old Town Park (aka Hollister/Kellogg Park) which means the City can move forward with its development!
March 6, 2018 - City Council approved the construction documents to go out to a competitive bid process on March 9, 2018.
April 16, 2018 – Construction Bids closed with C.S. Legacy Construction, Inc. as the lowest apparent bidder.
May 1, 2018 – City Council awards the construction contract for Old Town Park to C.S. Legacy Construction, Inc.
May 29, 2018 – Old Town Park ground-breaking event.
October 16, 2018 – Council selected Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park as the new name for the park in Old Town at Hollister and Kellogg Avenues. Jonny was one of the City of Goleta's founders and an advocate of Old Town, parks and open space.
March 30, 2019 - Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park Opening Celebration

Construction Progress

Throughout the park's 10-month construction, we took videos to share with residents. Take a look back at the making of this park by clicking on the links below.