Parnell Park CLOSURE NOTIFIATION:

As of September 2025, Parnell Park, the Storybook Zoo, and the Parnell Park Community & Senior Center are closed for construction as part of the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project.

Our beloved animals are being safely cared for in a separate area of the park, away from the project. The Community & Senior Center will also remain closed during this time.

For questions, please call (562) 567-9400.

You can continue to enjoy recreational programming at our other facilities — visit WhittierPRCS.org or follow us on social media @whittierPRCS for updates. 

Estimated reopening: SPRING 2027

Background

Thank you for you interest in the Parnell Park Improvement Plan. 

Parnell Park, located at 10711 Scott Avenue, is a 12.8-acre park in a residential neighborhood between Lambert Road and Mulberry Drive. The park was developed in 1967 and has traditional amenities that include picnic tables, barbeques, cold water sinks, gas burners, play equipment, two basketball half-courts, restrooms, and three parking lots. Lighting at the park currently consists of minimal security lighting in and around the park. Recreational facilities include the Community and Senior Center, softball diamond, spray pool, and farm animal zoo.

Project Overview

On October 15, 2021, California State Senator Bob Archuleta informed the City Council that the City of Whittier would receive $5,019,000.00 in designated park grant funds through CA  Assembly Bill 170 and CA Senate Bill 170. This allocation was achieved through the State of California Specific Grant process and would provide funding to what later became the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project.

On November 9, 2021, the City Council, guided by previous public outreach and Council direction, adopted Resolution No. 2021-87 to submit an application for the State of California Specific Grant funds for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project. The proposal included funding for youth sports fields, lighting, playground with rubberized surfacing, a fitness par course, a new restroom facility, and a splash pad. The City Manager was authorized to manage all necessary negotiations and document submissions related to the grant.

On January 19, 2022, the PRCS Commission received an update on the ongoing Parnell Park State Specific Grant efforts. This included obtaining necessary signatures for resolutions and agreements detailing the planned renovations and a scheduled meeting with California State Parks staff to discuss the application and funding process. The Commission acknowledged and filed the update.

On February 8, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-10, accepting $5,019,000.00 in grant funds from the State of California for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project. The Council also executed a sole-source professional services agreement with SWA-Laguna Beach, an international landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, for $112,000 to provide conceptual design services and requested the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the project.

On March 8, 2022, the City Council appointed Mayor Vinatieri and Mayor Pro Tem Warner to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee for providing renovation design feedback for Parnell Park.

On May 24, 2022, guided by the Ad Hoc Committee's efforts, the City Council reviewed and approved a proposed multi-use site design for Parnell Park. This design included a slight zoo expansion, a landscaped parkway, a new prominent pedestrian entryway, a small-scale concert amphitheater, and a two-sided band shell. The Council also discussed enhancements such as a new playground, water feature, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a new restroom facility.

On October 11, 2022, City staff and representatives from SWA presented a 30% Concept Design for Parnell Park, incorporating elements that were discussed at the May 24, 2022 meeting and additional features, like two basketball courts--one of which was also striped for pickleball. The City Council approved the concept design and amended the contract with SWA to move the project forward; next steps included the completion of 100% construction documents and preparation of bid specifications. The agreement with SWA does not cover specialized design work for sports field lighting and playground features, for which the City would seek separate professional services.

On February 28, 2023, the Parnell Park Ad Hoc Committee and SWA presented further refinements to the park's multi-use design to the City Council. These included improved entry and exit locations, additional parking, EV stall placements, enhancements to the zoo with solar panels, and playground adjustments for better safety and visibility. The splash pad area was refined with updated design elements, and the Council approved recommendations for decorative components on the band shell wall. The project also included adjustments for soccer fields and a multi-use basketball court. The City Council approved these refinements.

On June 27, July 11, and August 1, 2024, City staff hosted Parnell Park Improvement Plan Preview outreach sessions during the Concerts in the Park series, inviting community feedback on the project.

On August 21, 2024, City staff presented detailed project information and gathered additional community input during a community meeting held at the Parnell Park facility.

On January 14, 2025, the City Council conducted a public hearing to review the results of extensive community outreach efforts and to provide another opportunity for public input. City staff and the City's consultants answered questions about environmental considerations included in the project's Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, including nesting bird species, greenhouse gases, tree removal and replacement, ambient noise, and ADA-compliant play areas.

After further deliberation and consideration, the City Council adopted the project's Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council also approved the project's plans and specifications, authorized the advertisement of construction bids, and authorized the posting of trees specified for removal in accordance to the Parkway Tree Manual.

On March 19, 2025, the PRCS Commission conducted a public hearing to consider the 4 appeals received regarding the proposed removal of 178 trees located at 15390 Lambert Road pursuant to the City of Whittier's Parkway Tree Manual. After consideration the commission denied the appeals and upheld the removal. 

On April 22, 2025, City Staff presented a report for the City Council to review the PRCS Commission decision to deny the appeals received regarding the removal of trees located at 15390 Lambert Road. After deliberation, the motion to confirm the decision of the PRCS Commission to deny the appeals was carried. 

On August 12, 2025, the City Council awarded the contract to the lowest responsive bidder, KASA Construction Inc. in the amount of $19,262,782 for the construction of the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvements project. At this meeting, Resolution No. 2025-36 was adopted to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget in the amount of $18,398,754 to be allocated for the project. A construction contingency of 10% ($1,926,278); and 5% ($963,139) for Construction Management/Inspection & Material Testing services required; and a not to exceed agreement for $50, 000 with KIZH Nation Resources Management for monitoring services required by the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program were approved.

Parnell Park Tree Modifications

Construction Has Begun

As of September 2025, the project is underway and the park and building are closed. We look forward to welcoming the community in Spring of 2027. 

For more information, contact the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department at (562) 567-9400 or PKS@cityofwhittier.org.