City of Glendale, CA

Project Scope:

The project includes the transformation of a 2.3-acre site at 1000 S. Central Ave.—formerly the JOANN Fabric and Crafts Store—into a much-needed public park in South Glendale. This future park is expected to be the fifth largest in the area, offering much-needed recreational space for families, children, and individuals of all ages.

Park amenities might include, but are not limited to, children’s play areas, a water play feature, restrooms, picnic areas, fitness equipment, walking paths, murals and living green walls, turf and native grasses, native/drought-tolerant planting areas, and/or a demonstration garden.

Community input will be essential to shaping the park’s final design. The Community Services & Parks Department will host public meetings and provide regular updates as the project moves forward.

Budget:

The City was awarded $500,000 for project planning from the Regional Park and Open Space District’s (RPOSD’s) Competitive Measure A Grant Program in March 2026. See Press Release for more information. Additional funding is actively being sought.

Based on recent park design and development project costs, such as the Central Park Block Project, and accounting for inflation and escalation, staff estimates total project cost for the Project design and development to be approximately $20 million.

Status Update:

To support pre-design and design phases, the City will hire a consultant to lead project design and public community engagement efforts--an RFP is expected to be released in Spring 2026. A Concept Design/Feasibility Study informed by community feedback will be presented to City Council within 12 months of design kick-off, with the engagement process beginning in mid‑2026 and the Conceptual plans Concept Design/Feasibility Study approval expected by late‑2027.