Westlake Village park plan moves forward

Acorn Staff Writer


Westlake Village park

plan moves forward

If you want it done right, do it yourself. Residents of the Trails neighborhood in Westlake Village attended last week a second community workshop regarding the Foxfield Park on Foxfield Drive just off of Lindero Canyon Road. It enabled homeowners to provide feedback on a park they’ve wanted for 15 years.


According to City Councilman Chris Mann, the project is on a fast track. Completion is anticipated for late fall or early winter later this year.


During the first workshop in March, participants walked the site and discussed the possibilities. People were divided into four groups of about five or six, and each group came up with a design that included its preferences.


At the second workshop, the four plans were reviewed and discussed. Landscape architect Robert Mueting of the RJM Design Group presented an abstract composite of all four layouts, which more or less overlaid each drawing on top of the others. It revealed many consistencies. He then showed a consensus plan, which merged the four plans into one.


Some of common features were meandering trails, an open field, a child play area and a water feature. Some showed streams and one included a lake. The consensus plan showed a stream (possibly a dry stream if it’s too expensive).


Also proposed were meditative areas, a gazebo, a community garden (which included plots for a variety of gardeners), and lots of colorful trees and plants.


The park won’t be conspicuous and will include earth tones only.


A few residents wanted playing fields and basketball courts and others said the park was too adult-oriented. According to Mueting, the land is only a 1.34-acre flat parcel that won’t accommodate a playing field. It would include, he said, plenty of space to play catch with a ball or Frisbee.


But an entire playing field, Mueting said, is impossible.


A half-court basketball area, however, would work. It seemed to be popular with a little less than half the people at the workshop, but several critics said the noise of dribbling and shouting would keep firefighters awake at the adjacent fire station. A possible soundwall was deemed not feasible and it was withdrawn from consideration.


The park design that seemed to be the most popular is expected to cost about $400,000, but a more exact estimate is coming.


The next Foxfield meeting will be at a 6:30 p.m. city council meeting on Wed., June 13 when a more complete budget and possible parking prohibition will be discussed.


Councilmembers earlier decided against red curbing because they wanted to see a finalized park plan before making a decision.


But parking will be outlawed nearest the park, according to traffic engineer Mark Wessel. A red curb, he said, has been needed for a long time because parked vehicles already create a blind spot on the curve and Foxfield is very narrow. Safety is very important when nearby St. Jude’s Church and school host events that attract more traffic.


Some residents asked why St. Jude’s isn’t solving its own traffic problems, which overflow onto Foxfield and River Farm, a street off Foxfield. The city tried to help by opening up some 60 parking spaces along Lindero Canyon Road, but they’re seldom used.


But Wessel doesn’t expect the traffic problems to get worse. Parks, he said, attract vehicles when they have ballfields, which Foxfield won’t. Only about six to 10 vehicles, Wessel said, can be expected on average.


Nevertheless, the parking prohibition would eliminate about 16 parking spots.


The church, several residents said, is reworking its layout to accommodate more parking.





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