Second Johnny Carson Park planning workshop set

City officials are encouraging residents to attend a second planning workshop on Aug. 17 for the $5-million redesign of Johnny Carson Park.

Draft design concepts will be available for residents to review and provide feedback on, said Jan Bartolo, deputy director for park services.

Bartolo said the redesign will look at all aspects of the park. “Everything — from ‘A’ to ‘Z’,” she said.

An outdated irrigation system and antiquated lighting and play area equipment are the main reasons for the overhaul, Bartolo said.

“We definitely want to look at the drainage system, the stream bed that runs through the park and make it much more sustainable,” Bartolo said.

She said that over the years a functional drainage system was created to look like a stream, but it has aged, she said. The goal would be to get the “channel” to disperse in a way that doesn’t harm the Los Angeles River.

The city’s Redevelopment Agency is expected to cover the $5-million price tag, and Bartolo said she was optimistic about the prospect of grants to help offset the cost.

“I’m very optimistic, this is a project that is quite competitive,” she said, citing the park’s size, and the fact that it hosts large community events such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the annual Road Kings car shows.

Bartolo said that over the years other sites have seen significant changes, and that the cost was in line with work done at McCambridge and other parks.

Councilman Dave Golonski said $2.5 million of the estimated $5 million project came from Redevelopment and said grants for $2.5 million had been solicited.

Golonski said one of the key components of the park was the drainage system and that the ultimate goal was to keep dirty water out of the L.A. River.

The second workshop takes place at 6 p.m. Aug. 17 in the multipurpose room of Providence High School, 511 S. Buena Vista Street, adjacent to the park.

For more information call (818) 238.5300.