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Recreation and Public Grounds Litchfield Park Branch
Library Community Room
Commission
101 W. Wigwam Blvd.
(623) 935-5033
Regular Meeting Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
litchfieldpark.gov
Agenda
Thursday, October 9, 2025 7:00 PM
Members of the Recreation and Public Grounds Commission will attend either in person, by telephone, or video conference call.
Physical access to the meeting room will be available 30 minutes prior to the meeting.
I. Call to Order
A. The agenda and packet are available at: www.litchfieldpark.gov
B. A video recording of the meeting can be seen here the next business day.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Call to the Community
This is the time for citizens who would like to address the Commission on any non-agenda item. Action taken as a
result of public comment will be limited to asking staff to review the matter, asking that the matter be put on a
future agenda, or responding to criticism.
IV. Staff Report
A. Community and Recreation Services Monthly Report INFORMATION ONLY
Presenter: Tricia Kramer, Community & Recreation Services Director
Ms. Kramer will provide an update on activity for the month of September.
B. Public Works Monthly Report INFORMATION ONLY
Presenter: Kyle Ames, Public Works Director
Mr. Ames will provide an update on activity for the month of September.
V. Business
A. Preliminary Hilltop Park Design
Presenter: Randy Proch, Planning Director
Discussion and possible action to recommend approval to the City Council the preliminary hilltop park
design
B. Approval of Minutes ACTION/COMMENT
Presenter: Tricia Kramer, Community & Recreation Services Director
Discussion and possible action to approve the September 11, 2025, regular meeting minutes.
C. Yard of the Quarter ACTION/COMMENT
Presenter: Andrea Phillips, Vice Chairperson
Discussion and possible action regarding the handling of Yard of the Quarter moving forward.
VI. Commissioners Report on Current Events
This is the time Commissioners may present a brief summary on current events. The Commission may not
propose, discuss, deliberate or take any legal action on the information presented, pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.02.
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Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Meeting October 9, 2025
VII. Topics for Referral to City Council
VIII. Adjournment
_____________________
Anthony Taddei, Chair
Affidavit of Posting
I, Tricia Kramer, do hereby certify that I caused to be posted a true and correct copy of this agenda for the Recreation
and Public Grounds Commission meeting of Thursday, October 9, 2025, in the following place in the City of Litchfield
Park:
1. City Hall, outside bulletin board
2. City Website
______________________
Tricia Kramer, Staff Liaison
Persons with special accessibility needs should contact City Hall, (623) 935-5033, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
City of Litchfield Park, AZ Page 2 of 2
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RECREATION AND PUBLIC
Staff Report Item IV.A
GROUNDS COMMISSION Community and Recreation
COMMUNICATION Services Monthly Report
To: Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Members
From: Tricia Kramer, Community & Recreation Services Director
Meeting Date: 10/9/2025
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
N/A
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
See attached report.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Community & Recreation Services Monthy Report - September 2025
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COMMUNITY AND RECREATION SERVICES
MONTHLY REPORT
To: RPG Chairperson and Commissioners
From: Tricia Kramer, Director of Community and Recreation Services
Meeting Date: 10/09/2025
Recreation Center Facility
• As of September 6th, we have returned to offering free court use to the community on
Saturdays and Sundays.
Aquatics
• The Odyssey Swim Team and St. John Paul II Swim Team continue to hold their after-
school swim practices at the Rec pool through early November.
• Staff have been meeting with various vendors to obtain estimates for the
resurfacing of the pool deck.
Community Services
• The next flag raising ceremony is scheduled for October 13th at 8:15am to honor the
U.S Navy. Commissioners and community members are encouraged to attend.
Preschool
• This past month, the Preschoolers have been focused on starting to learn the
alphabet, the days of the week, and identifying numbers 1-10.
• Preschool will be closed for Fall Break during the week of October 6-10.
Sports
• Our Fall Sports Season began on September 27th and is off to a successful start.
• Registration for our Winter Basketball and Tee Ball Leagues opened on September 29th.
So far 124 kids have registered.
• We currently have 4 teams signed up for the November 15th Cornhole Tournament. We
are hoping to have 32 teams participate.
Special Events
• Staff continue to secure artists, vendors and sponsors for this season’s events.
• Upcoming events:
• The Addams Family: 10/11 at Jackie Robinson Ballfield; approximately 6:30pm
• Hocus Pocus: 10/25 at Jackie Robinson Ballfield; approximately 6:30pm
• Festival of Arts: 11/1 & 11/2 in Litchfield Square Park; 9am-5pm daily
• WALL-E: 11/8 at Jackie Robinson Ballfield; approximately 6:30pm
• AZ Swing Kings Concert: 11/9 on the Wigwam Lawn; 3-5pm
• Tree Lighting Ceremony: 12/5 in Litchfield Square Park; 5-8pm
• Christmas in the Park: 12/13 in Litchfield Square Park; 9am-3pm
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RECREATION AND PUBLIC
Staff Report Item IV.B
GROUNDS COMMISSION
Public Works Monthly Report
COMMUNICATION
To: Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Members
From: Kyle Ames, Director of Public Works/Safety & Training Coordinator
Meeting Date: 10/9/2025
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
MAINTENANCE:
• Right-of-way trimming is done on a bi-weekly maintenance schedule.
• Mowing of turf is done weekly and manicuring of turf is done bi-weekly.
• Trees and turf are watered regularly.
• Irrigation maintenance is done regularly.
• Spraying for weed control as needed.
• Street sweeping is scheduled in sections and done weekly.
• Tierra Verde Lake is monitored and cleaned out weekly.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
• Staff have started the winter overseeding process these past few weeks. Parks and
public right-of-ways are being completed to accommodate youth sports programs and
schedules.
• Staff have installed 27 "NO SCHOOL" parking signs along Azure Ln and Vineyard in the
Village 1 subdivisions. These signs are being installed by the concerns of residents who
reside in the area. Unfortunately, the City of Goodyear has placed no parking signs in
the neighborhoods adjacent to Western Sky Middle School, which has forced parent
pickup and drop off traffic within the city limits and has caused traffic concerns.
Avondale PD can not address any traffic concerns if adequate signage is not posted.
• Village Park and Turtle Park shade structure installation are underway. Footings will be
poured with post installations to follow in the coming weeks.
• The Public Works office behind City Hall has been removed, and the platform pit has
been completely backfilled.
• Staff have planted an additional 25 orange trees at various locations.
• WCA have completed the California fan palm trimming.
• WCA will begin group pruning of the oak and ash trees around Rose Park in the
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following weeks.
• The Scout Park underpass landscape additions will begin in the next few weeks.
Additional trees, shrubs and DG will be installed.
• Laguna Dr W, Laguna Dr E, Bahia Ln W and Bahia Ln E median landscape additions will
start in the mid-November timeframe. DG, plants and additional trees will be installed.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
ATTACHMENTS:
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RECREATION AND PUBLIC
Business Item V.A
GROUNDS COMMISSION
Preliminary Hilltop Park Design
COMMUNICATION
To: Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Members
From: Randy Proch, Planning Director
Meeting Date: 10/9/2025
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
MOVE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PRELIMINARY HILLTOP
PARK DESIGN
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The proposal is to vegetate, beautify, and reestablish a public gathering space located around
The Hilltop School for the Arts, P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center, and Maricopa County Branch
Library. The park space is located at the Rancho La Loma Homestead, located at 5374 N.
Litchfield Road and is zoned Agritourism.
The yet-to-be-named park space is intended to compliment the numerous new projects located
at Rancho La Loma, also known as The Hilltop. Staff has been working with the various entities
involved as well as utilizing the public comments received through online and in-person
surveys, open houses, and direction from the Recreation and Public Grounds Commission to
create a phased park space on all remaining portions of the 21-acre site. The park space is
approximately 9 acres, which includes the northern portion of the site, the two eastern
cottages, bandstand and stage, former pump house and bathroom buildings, water tank, and
western sunset terraces.
All aspects of the design have used public feedback received for programming, amenities, and
attractions, which include walking trails throughout, botanical gardens focused on Sonoran
Desert plants, cacti, and roses, rentable spaces at the bandstand and terraces, a centralized
event space near the cottages and library, a playground space tucked away from adjacent uses,
and storage and maintenance space for the Public Works department. The flora will be
diversified and left to grow, with only seasonal cutbacks with a peacock-themed entry feature
as you enter from Litchfield Road. The amount of natural turf is minimized and carefully placed
for optimal use and historic revegetating, especially on the sunset terraces. The plan includes
several new buildings including multiple bathrooms and ramadas, and is envisioned to include
new uses for Cottage #2 and Cottage #3, just east of the museum space.
Access is managed through an expanded parking area along the north, gated vehicular access
for events on the western terrace, ADA parking stalls near the event space and adjacent to the
museum, with Fire Department access embedded into the landscaping through a compacted
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DG path connecting the northern and southern parking lots, as well as a turnaround area near
the cottages.
Staff has received comments throughout this preliminary design.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
MOVE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PRELIMINARY HILLTOP
PARK DESIGN
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. PZ-25-70 Report Attachment
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RECREATION AND PUBLIC
Business Item V.B
GROUNDS COMMISSION
Approval of Minutes
COMMUNICATION
To: Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Members
From: Tricia Kramer, Community & Recreation Services Director
Meeting Date: 10/9/2025
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
MOVE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2025, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 091125 REG MINUTES - Draft
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DRAFT
Minutes of the
Recreation and Public Grounds
Commission
Thursday, September 11, 2025 Regular Meeting
I. Call to Order
The meeting was held in the Litchfield Park Branch Library Community Room and called to order by Chairperson Taddei at
7:02 PM.
Present: Chairperson Taddei, Vice Chairperson Phillip (via Zoom), Commissioner Culbreth, Commissioner Faith,
Commissioner Gerz, Commissioner Giordano, Council Member James
Absent: Commissioner Schwartz
Staff: Tricia Kramer, Community and Recreation Services Director; Kyle Ames, Public Works Director; Pat
McCoy, Sports Coordinator
Attendees: Betsy Andrews Etchart
II. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Taddei.
III. Call to the Community
There were no requests to speak.
IV. Staff Report
A. Community and Recreation Services Monthly Report
Ms. Kramer reviewed her written report. She provided an update on parade entry fees for businesses
wanting to participate in Christmas in the Park. Ms. Kramer also confirmed that the parade route will extend
north on Old Litchfield Road up to Village Parkway. From Village Parkway, the parade will proceed west to La
Loma Ave., then south on La Loma Ave. ending near City Hall. This way, the parade still connects with the
festival, which is moving to Litchfield Square Park.
B. Public Works Monthly Report
Mr. Ames reviewed his written report. He added that the shade structures for Turtle Park and Village Park
have already been delivered. The playgrounds will be closed during the installations. Mr. Ames also
confirmed that additional engineered wood fiber will be added to the fall zones at all the city's playgrounds.
The three parks with the biggest need are Turtle Park, Aleppo Park and Scout Park.
V. Business
A. Approval of Minutes APPROVED
MOVE TO APPROVE THE JUNE 12, 2025 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
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Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Meeting September 11, 2025
MOVER Commissioner Gerz, SECONDER Commissioner Culbreth
AYE: Chairperson Taddei, Vice Chairperson Phillip, Commissioner Culbreth, Commissioner Faith,
Commissioner Gerz, Commissioner Giordano, Council Member James
7 - 0 - 0 Passed
B. KOS Christmas Tree Decorations APPROVED
Public Works Director Kyle ames confirmed that Litchfield Park is the first city in the West Valley with the
KOS christmas tree. it will be located in Litchfield Square Park for the holiday season. Mr. Ames
requested input from the commissioners on which decor package they recommend for staff to order.
discussion was held and the commissioners narrowed their preferences down to the candy cane and
christmas morning decor packages.
MOVE TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF USE THEIR DISCRETION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE CHRISTMAS
MORNING AND CANDY CANE PACKAGES FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS
MOVER Commissioner Gerz, SECONDER Council Member James
AYE: Chairperson Taddei, Vice Chairperson Phillip, Commissioner Culbreth, Commissioner Faith,
Commissioner Gerz, Commissioner Giordano, Council Member James
7 - 0 - 0 Passed
C. Temporary Public Art Installation APPROVED
Ms. Kramer introduced artist Betsy Andrews Etchart to the Commissioners. Ms. Etchart then presented her
design concept for the HOLA public art project. The concept for the temporary installation is a colorful and
interactive cotton boll flower that will be placed in Litchfield Square Park. Discussion was held. The
Commissioners were excited about the design and recommended that Staff work with Ms. Etchart to move
forward with the design and installation.
MOVE TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF WORK WITH BETSY ETCHART TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE HOLA
PUBLIC ART PROJECT AS PRESENTED
MOVER Commissioner Gerz, SECONDER Council Member James
AYE: Chairperson Taddei, Vice Chairperson Phillip, Commissioner Culbreth, Commissioner Faith,
Commissioner Gerz, Commissioner Giordano, Council Member James
7 - 0 - 0 Passed
VI. Commissioners Report on Current Events
Commissioner Faith reported that he is looking forward to the events getting back in the winter.
Council Member James reported that he is here as a Council representative to the Commission. He is available to
answer any questions and provide updates about all the growth and development that is happening in the City.
Vice Chairperson Phillips reported that she met Yosha, the new Communications Director. She believes we are
fortunate to have her, and she is going to make a huge difference.
Chairperson Taddei seconded what Council Member James said. He is looking forward to a group tour of the
C ity of Litchfield Park, AZ Page 2 of 3
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Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Meeting September 11, 2025
Hilltop for the Commission. He is also looking forward to upcoming events in The Park.
VII. Topics for Referral to City Council
There were no topics for referral.
VIII. Adjournment
Chairperson Taddei adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
APPROVED:
Anthony Taddei, Chair
CERTIFICATION
I, Tricia Kramer, do hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting of
the Recreation and Public Grounds Commission of the City of Litchfield Park held on Thursday, September 11, 2025. I
further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Tricia Kramer, Staff Liaison
C ity of Litchfield Park, AZ Page 3 of 3
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RECREATION AND PUBLIC
Business Item V.C
GROUNDS COMMISSION
Yard of the Quarter Program
COMMUNICATION
To: Recreation and Public Grounds Commission Members
From: Andi Phillips, RPG Vice Chairperson
Meeting Date: 10/9/2025
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
LEFT TO THE COMMISSION'S DISCRETION.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Vice Chairperson Andi Phillips will lead a discussion about the Yard of the Quarter program and
possible updates to the selection process moving forward.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Litchfield Park City Code Article 2-7 - Recreation and Public Grounds Commission
2. West Valley View article about Avondale Property All-Star Curb Appeal Program
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Section 2-6-6
B. All meetings of each board or commis- Section 2-7-3 Purpose and Duties
sion shall be conducted in conformance with A. The commission shall be advisory in
the state open meeting law. (Ord. 96-36) nature and shall provide counsel and advice to
council in matters including, but not limited to:
Section 2-6-6 Duties 1. Inventory the opportunities for
A. A board or commission shall assist and improving the appearance of public grounds;
advise the council in the establishment of 2. Provide recommendations for recre-
essential policies, procedures, rules and regu- ation programs, public art and public grounds
lations relating to the subject matter of the maintenance and improvements in the city;
board or commission. 3. Study the problems and determine the
B. The recommendations of any board or needs of the city in connection with street trees
commission to the city shall be advisory only. and park trees.
Such recommendations will be sent back to the 4. Recommend quarterly for formal rec-
board or commission by the city indicating any ognition by the council those homeowners
action, revision or modification of any recom- who have maintained or enhanced their prop-
mendation. erty by making significant landscape or archi-
tectural improvements.
Article 2-7 Recreation and Public 5. Perform such other duties as the coun-
Grounds Commission cil from time to time shall request.
B. The council, at its discretion, may des-
Sections: ignate the city department to implement pro-
2-7-1 Established grams developed by the commission. (Ord. 18-
2-7-2 Membership 226 §1; Ord. 11-171 §1)
2-7-3 Purpose and Duties
Article 2-9 Indemnification of
Section 2-7-1 Established Members of the Council,
A recreation and public grounds commis- City Officers, City
sion of the city of Litchfield Park, Arizona, is Employees and Members of
hereby created. (Ord. 11-171 §1) Committees, Commissions
and Boards
Section 2-7-2 Membership
All members of the recreation and public Sections:
grounds commission shall be generally repre- 2-9-1 Persons Covered
sentative of the community and shall serve 2-9-2 Indemnification and
without pay. Initially the membership of the Protection of City Officials
commission shall consist of members of the by City
former cityscape commission and the recre- 2-9-3 Insurance Coverage
ation, arts and parks commission as those 2-9-4 Notice of Claim
existed immediately prior to the effective date
of the ordinance codified in this chapter, not to Section 2-9-1 Persons Covered
exceed eleven members. The terms of office All of the protections and benefits conferred
shall be staggered as provided in Section 2-6- by this article shall be enjoyed by any present
3. Beginning with terms that expire in 2014, or former mayor, vice mayor and each and all
the number of members shall be reduced to of the present or former members of the coun-
seven. (Ord. 11-171 §1) cil, city officers, municipal judges, city
13
(Litchfield Park Supp. 46, 6-18)
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