Costa Mesa city leaders are beginning to move on a series of park improvements made possible by $11.2 million in funding from two local legislators seeking to expand access to public open space. Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) allocated $1.2 million in the state budget to help widen the footprint of another west-side pocket park, Ketchum-Libolt.
Named for local police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, who died in a helicopter crash on March 10, 1987, the .34 acre park currently offers visitors a playground and seating area located at 2150 Maple St. With help from Petrie-Norris’ allocation, the facility could potentially be expanded to include an adjacent parkway space.