MEMO No. CS24-027

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2024-11-21)

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Community Services Department – Memo No. CS24-027 
 
Date:  
November 21, 2024 
 
To: 
 
Parks and Recreation Bond Sub-Committee 
 
From:  
John Sefton, Community Services Director 
 
 
Kim Moyers, Cultural Development Director 
 
 
Mickey Ohland, Community Services Senior Planning Manager 
 
Subject: 
2025 Bond Election Community Service Projects –  
Parks and Recreation Bond Subcommittee 
Recommendations/Rankings 
 
 
RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends approval of the Bond Subcommittee 2025 
Proposed Project Rankings 
 
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:  The Subcommittee met several times between 
October and November which included tours of the Tumbleweed Ranch, AJ 
Chandler Park, and the Snedigar Sports Complex.  After presentations by staff and 
committee discussion/debate, the group developed a consensus on the rankings of 
the projects to be included in the 2025 Bond Election. 
 
PROPOSED MOTION:  Move to approve that the Parks and Recreation Bond 
Subcommittee support and recommend to the Bond Steering Committee the bond-
eligible projects and prioritized as presented.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Development Project Rankings 
November 21, 2024 
 
 
1. 
Existing Neighborhood Park Improvements/Repairs                 $23,345,000 
Each year citizens make requests to the Community Services Department for 
improvements in many of Chandler’s existing fifty-three (53) neighborhood 
parks.  This project provides an equitable distribution of neighborhood park 
improvements throughout the city.  Improvements include: 
 
Playground replacement/renovation. 
Irrigation system renovation/Water Conservation. 
Ramada renovations. 
Lighting renovations. 
Landscaping renovations. 
 
2. 
Existing Community Park Improvements/Repairs                      $17,350,000 
Chandler’s existing parks system includes nine (9) developed Community 
Parks.  These parks typically serve several neighborhoods located within 
approximately 1-2 miles of the park.  Community parks provide more 
specialized and elaborate facilities such as lighted sports fields, group picnic 
areas, restrooms, and play areas.  This project provides for the equitable 
distribution of community park improvements throughout the city.  
Improvements could include but are not limited to the following: 
 
Playground replacement/renovations. 
Sports Field LED lighting conversions. 
Irrigation system renovation/Water Conservation. 
Ramada renovations. 
Restroom renovations. 
Landscaping renovations. 
 
3. 
Exist. Community/Recreation Centers Improvements/Repairs $6,000,000 
This project is for various improvements and/or renovations to the City's 
existing twelve (12) recreation and aquatic facilities whose average age is 
over 29 years.  Facilities include the Tumbleweed Recreation Center (TRC), 
Snedigar Recreation Center, Tennis Center, Environmental Education Center, 
Community Center, Senior Center, and six (6) aquatic facilities.

4. 
Dr. AJ Chandler Park Renovation – Phase 1                                    $10,000,000 
Dr. AJ Chandler Park is a 3.52-acre park in the middle of downtown and was 
last renovated in the 1980's.  In 2024, a revised Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Master 
Plan was completed which included a phased construction approach.  The 
park's Master Plan was designed to be a destination driver for Chandler with 
unique features and amenities that will appeal to all segments of Chandler’s 
community as well as drawing from outside the community.  Phase 1 
includes improvements to both sides of Arizona Avenue as well as the 
crosswalk on Arizona Avenue.  Features/amenities include unique shade 
structures, seating areas, restrooms, trees and landscaping, new hardscape 
and lighting. 
 
5. 
Folley Pool Renovation                                                                        $37,745,000 
Folley Park is a 24-acre community park originally developed in 1976.  In 
1981, the aquatic center was completed.  This project is for a complete re-
design of the pool and park.  The park had a minor renovation in 2016 and 
the pool was last renovated in 1996 with the addition of the play pool, splash 
pad, and pool equipment replacement.  Folley Pool is the only aquatic facility 
that operates as a summer only facility (8 weeks) as the design and 
equipment only provides the opportunity for limited seasonal use.  While 
lesson programming at Folley has remained strong, the lack of amenities like 
those found at other Chandler aquatic facilities has negatively impacted 
public swim attendance.  A full replacement of the facility is necessary to 
meet the existing demands of user groups and provide opportunities for 
year-round programming.   
 
6. 
Mesquite Groves Park - Phase 2                                                        $30,263,000 
The Community Services Department has established a series of community 
park service zones (2-mile radius) as a means of assuring equitable 
distribution of community parks throughout the City.  In 2002, the City of 
Chandler purchased 100 acres on the northwest corner of Val Vista Drive and 
Riggs Road for the development of a future community park (Mesquite 
Groves).  In 2008, the aquatic center was constructed on approximately 10 
acres of the park.  With the population and development in southeast 
Chandler steadily increasing over the years, additional recreational facilities 
are needed in this area of the city.  System Development Impact Fees (SDF) 
will fund 30 acres of the park development (Phase 1).  Phases 2 will develop 
approximately 30-acres of the park.

7. 
Desert Breeze Park Renovation (New Project)                             $10,000,000 
Desert Breeze Park, West Chandler’s largest community park was originally 
built in 1991.  The park features: Baseball/Softball Fields, a Community 
Fishing Lake, Multi-use Fields, Picnic Pavilions, Playground, Restrooms, Sand 
Volleyball, Spray and Splash Pads, Tennis, Walking Trails and the Desert 
Breeze Railroad, a 1/3 scale GP-38 locomotive running of a ¾ mile train track 
around the park. This project will infuse a needed capacity to update the 
critical infrastructure related to the park’s destination features including the 
play features, common areas, landscape, and recreational amenities.  
 
8. 
Snedigar Sports Complex Renovation (New Project)                $20,000,000 
Snedigar Sportsplex is a 90-acre facility located in South Chandler. The park 
features a top-rated skate park, two professional-sized baseball fields, four 
softball fields, four Little League baseball fields, 12 soccer fields, a full-sized 
cricket field, 2 playground structures, a bark park for dogs, and picnic 
pavilions as well as a recreation center with rental space for special 
events/activities. Serving the south-west area of Chandler, the Snedigar 
Sportsplex was originally constructed in 1991 with expansions over the years.  
This project will infuse a needed capacity to update the critical infrastructure 
related to the ballfields, common areas, landscape, and recreational 
amenities.  
 
9. 
Lantana Ranch Park – Phase 2                                                             $5,741,330 
In 2004, the City purchased approximately 70-acres of land located south of 
the Chandler Municipal Airport. Approximately 50-acres of this site will be 
developed as additional open space and utilized for general recreation.  
Phase 1 development was completed in 2022 and included approximately 7-
acres of park development.  This project is for the design and construction of 
the balance (43-acres) of the property.  
 
10. 
Tumbleweed Ranch Historic Preservation Development (New Project)                         
$13,239,000 
Tumbleweed Ranch, located within Tumbleweed Park, is 14-acres in size and 
has been designated to preserve and highlight Chandler’s rich historic past. 
The Tumbleweed Ranch Master Plan identifies improvements of existing 
facilities including the McCroskey House, Edwards House, Red Shed Theater 
and grocery store and develops future phasing to allow for special events, 
children’s playground, and enriched educational opportunities. The Chandler 
Museum Foundation voted to support the addition of thoughtful space for 
processing, conservation and exhibition of art and cultural objects in 
Chandler.

11. 
Tumbleweed Multi-Gen Expansion                                                   $19,604,000 
The Tumbleweed Recreation Center (TRC) is a 62,000 square-foot multi-gen 
recreational facility located in Tumbleweed Regional Park designed to assist 
patrons in getting and staying active. This facility has provided a wide variety 
of classes, activities, and events for all ages since 2008. The TRC currently 
features an art studio, catering and teaching kitchen, ceramics studio, child 
watch, classrooms, dance studio, fitness areas, group exercise studio, 
gymnasium, indoor track, locker room with showers, meeting rooms, 
multipurpose room, and racquetball courts.  The initial, and funded, phase of 
the expansion will open Spring 2025 featuring 11,000 square feet of 
additional programming space.  The new project funding will complete phase 
two with a 14,500 square-feet multi-purpose gymnasium and indoor walking 
path. 
 
12. 
Mesquite Groves Park - Phase 3                                                        $35,229,000 
The Community Services Department has established a series of community 
park service zones (2-mile radius) as a means of assuring equitable 
distribution of community parks throughout the City.  In 2002, the City of 
Chandler purchased 100 acres on the northwest corner of Val Vista Drive and 
Riggs Road for the development of a future community park (Mesquite 
Groves).  In 2008, the aquatic center was constructed on approximately 10 
acres of the park.  With the population and development in southeast 
Chandler steadily increasing over the years, additional recreational facilities 
are needed in this area of the city.  System Development Impact Fees (SDF) 
will fund 30 acres of the park development (Phase 1).  Phases 3 will develop 
approximately 30-acres of the park.