Sumac Park Ready for Its Makeover

If Michael Van Cleef had his way, a proposed overhaul of Sumac Park would include a trampoline, a foam pit and a swimming pool.

But on a recent weekday afternoon at the Calmfield Avenue park, the 13-year-old acknowledged the improbability of those requests.

On a more practical level, he said, what he and his friends really need are more shady rest areas for breaks during soccer games.

Rachel Chalfin, 9, who was picnicking with her grandmother, said that she would like to see "Swings! More swings!" She said she also would like more water fountains and a bigger sandbox.

The Sumac Park makeover, which received final approval from the Agoura Hills City Council on April 28, calls for $140,000 in improvements, including separate areas with age-appropriate plays structures, a natural color scheme, swings, benches, and, yes, shade canopies.  (See the accompanying blueprint.)

At the end of a fiscal year of tight budgets, the renovations are possible thanks to funds from the Quimby Act. Established by the California Legislature in 1965, the act requires land developers to either set aside space or pay fees for park improvements.  Quimby funds help preserve public space and mitigate the effects of land development.

Developer fees are controlled by the City Council for use in park improvements. 

In March 2009, the City Council encouraged the Parks and Recreation Department to renovate Sumac Park and replace aging equipment. 

The job was awarded to Utah-based Great Western Park and Playground, which will install play structures and equipment from Alabama-based Game Time. The cost of the project is $139,648, just under the $140,000 budgeted out of available Quimby funds. Great Western was the second-highest bid out of the eight returned.

The equipment has been ordered, and the overhaul is expected to begin in July.  Removing existing equipment, revamping the park's drainage system and then installing the new equipment is expected to take about a month.

Andre Galvan, who visits the park regularly with his preschool-age son and other stay-at-home parents, said there is no place to sit down near the play areas.

"They really need benches," said Galvan while keeping an eye on his son, who was climbing an arched ladder. "We always have to stand if we want to keep our kids safe."  

On a bright Wednesday afternoon at Sumac Park, a group of boys joked around on a multicolored jungle gym, the centerpiece of the play area. 

Asked what the boys would like to see added and improved, they rattled off a list:  self-propelled merry-go-rounds, long tunnel slides, a teeter-totter and a tire swing or two.