The Cypress City Council voted to accept recommendations for the “reimagined” conceptual design of Arnold Cypress Park at the meeting last week.
City officials, who have been working for the past few years with ideas from the public and planners to “reimagine” the decades old city park, held a joint meeting with the city’s Recreation and Community Services Commission to approve the new plan.
Cypress Park was initially constructed in 1949, then in 1970 was renamed Arnold Cypress Park to honor Alfred E. “Pat” Arnold, a founding city Council member and former president of the Orange County Board of Education. The park has since been known as Arnold Cypress Park.
In addition to this city park, Arnold also has an elementary school in Cypress named in his honor.
Jeffrey Draper, Director of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services, presented the concept plan to the Council at their most recent city Council meeting, saying the 14.5-acre park “now packs a lot of amenities.”
“The biggest change to the park is a more efficient layout,” Draper told the Council, noting that Arnold Cypress Park will be home to the three synthetic turf ballfields, two of which will have 200-foot homerun fences while the other will have a 225-foot fence, sufficient to host a college softball game.
Draper said later that the reimagined park will remain home to Cypress Girls Softball leagues.
He said there will be a smaller, natural turf field in the corner of the property, with batting cages where younger players can develop their hitting skills.
The park is conveniently designed with concession stands in the center, with restrooms, and areas that can be used for fundraising events. Also, there is a relaxing courtyard in the center from which onlookers can see all three fields.
“Even if you have multiple kids playing, you can see them all,” he said.
There are two picnic pavilions nearby, one of which is next to a green open space.
Draper said there is playground equipment in one area for kids 2-5 years old and in another area, there is playground equipment for kids 5-12.
In other areas of the park, Draper said there are eight (8) lighted pickleball courts, and other fitness/workout equipment.
In addition, the new park will have eight (8) lighted pickleball courts, a lighted basketball court, a lighted volleyball court and outdoor fitness equipment.
Draper and Public Works Director Doug Dancs confirmed that the park will contain new age LED lighting, which is designed to have as little impact as possible on nearby residents.
Draper said there is a half-mile walking trail throughout the park that connects all of the interior venues.
Draper also showed the Council a video “fly-through” that used animation and imagery to give residents a more realistic idea of what the park will eventually look like once complete.
Draper said he was not exactly sure of the terms and conditions of the loan from the city, directing questions to Matt Burton, the city’s Finance Director.
Finally, Draper said they have made arrangements with Cypress College to utilize basketball courts that have been re-striped for pickleball until construction is complete.
“After many years, I’m so pleased to see the designs coming to fruition,” said Cypress Mayor Anne Hertz Mallari.
Other members of the Council expressed concern about the financing arrangements, yet the motion to approve the plans passed on an 8-1-1 vote.
Council member David Burke abstained from voting and Council member Frances Marquez voted against approval.
Draper said the vote will allow his team to move forward with the project, soliciting bids and otherwise moving forward with the new plan.
The city plans to loan to the Recreation and Community Services District the $27.5 million necessary to re-construct the park, which Draper estimated could take between 14-15 months.
Once construction gets underway, “we’re looking to re-open the park in early 2025,” with the new configuration, he said.
