DATE: June 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Development Services Department
TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE EL CORAZON PARK SITE 1 PROJECT FROM THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City to apply for a grant funding opportunity for construction of the proposed El Corazon Park Site 1 Project from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant in the amount of $6,000,000; authorize a City match amount of $6,000,000; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary grant documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
El Corazon ("The Heart", in Spanish) is a City-owned parcel of 465 contiguous acres located in the center of Oceanside, bounded by Rancho Del Oro Drive on the east, Oceanside Boulevard on the south, El Camino Real on the west, and Mesa Drive on the north. Approximately 17 acres in size, the proposed El Corazon Park Site 1 Project ("Project") includes development of multi-purpose fields, a pump track, open green space, pickleball and basketball courts, a dog park, playgrounds, fitness equipment, and a loop trail.
On February 23, 2022, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement for the design of El Corazon Park Site 1 with Schmidt Design Group. The design is currently at a 90% design level.
On February 5, 2025, the City Council approved allocating 50 percent of the City's FY 2023-24 budget surplus ($8.25 million) to help close the funding gap for the construction of the proposed Project, bringing total available funding to $18.35 million.
Staff recently became aware of a $6 million grant opportunity available through the California Department of Parks and Recreation that could help offset a portion of the City's funds committed to the proposed Project. Since 1965, the LWCF has provided funding to support the acquisition or development of land t...
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