By Ted AYALA

In an effort to provide a hospitable place for residents to play and enjoy, Glendale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved to install artificial turf at Edison Elementary and Pacific Park.

The projects, which total $90,016 and $139,015, will be awarded respectively to David Volz Landscape Design Architects, Inc. of Costa Mesa and Narduli Studio in Los Angeles. Appended to each contract will be a 10% contingency.

“I am very happy that Pacific Park is going to undergo this change,” said Mayor Frank Quintero before the full council approved the projects.

Before Council voted to approve the proposals, members of the community stepped up to the council dais to voice their approval.

“I support this project,” said 25-year Glendale resident Tony Passarella. “[Anytime] that we can get the children in this city moving and active will benefit them in a great way.”

“I think [this] is one of the highlights of the city cooperating with the school district,” said Herbert Molano. “This is a good alignment of strategic objectives. There is a critical need for this kind of quality playing surface. Anything we can do to promote sports would be good for the community overall.”

Located in the Pacific-Edison district near Atwater Village, the playgrounds of both Edison Elementary and Pacific Park have been criticized by residents for their sometimes dilapidated shape.

“I go by there often. That overused soccer field [at Pacific Park] I’ve seen go from beautiful green to nothing,” said Mayor Quintero. “Once this is down, that artificial turf is going to last a long time. Those adults and young kids are really going to enjoy it.”

  Ted Ayala