Marina considers Asian American garden for Locke-Paddon Park amid cleanup concerns

Marina city leaders are discussing adding an Asian American garden to Locke-Paddon Park, but residents are urging cleanup efforts before new projects begin.

Updated: 5:57 PM PDT May 6, 2026

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The city of Marina is holding a special meeting tonight to discuss the future of Locke-Paddon Park, including plans to add an Asian American garden to honor the city’s diversity. Locke-Paddon Park in Marina features multiple gardens, a wetland habitat, and a Martin Luther King Jr. sculpture added in recent years. While the city hopes to introduce an Asian American garden, some residents are raising concerns about the park’s current state. “All the paths have not been taken care of, they’re not even, so it’s hard for people with mobility issues, golfer holes everywhere, which is dangerous to walk on, the wetlands are pretty much gone,” Olga Chandler said. Another resident, Douglas Chandler, stressed the importance of preserving the wetland habitat, saying, “It’s very important to me that the wetland habitat be maintained. Not every city gets to have a wetland habitat.” Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the need for more attention to the park’s upkeep. “Where we’re paying attention, putting the library, putting the polyandria gardens, putting the Martin Luther King sculpture garden, putting the community garden, where we pay attention and love, they’re safe, they’re beautiful, they’re useful land. Where we’re not giving attention, it’s weeds, it’s unsavory behavior, and so we need more eyes and ears on the ground,” Delgado said. Delgado added, “The best way to do that is to make use of the ground, and so it looks cared for, it attracts people to work on the land, be part of it, be engaged—all families, all ages.” The city of Marina previously had a 30-year agreement with the park district to provide maintenance for Locke-Paddon Park, but that agreement has expired. The council is now discussing renewing the maintenance contract and planning future projects for the park. Mayor Delgado said additional funding will be needed to improve the park, but collaboration with the park district, which owns 50% of the land, is essential. “My priority is to get some basic maintenance for the park. It has fallen into disrepair, and our residents are asking for more, and they deserve more,” Brian McCarthy, a council member, said.

The city of Marina is holding a special meeting tonight to discuss the future of Locke-Paddon Park, including plans to add an Asian American garden to honor the city’s diversity.

Locke-Paddon Park in Marina features multiple gardens, a wetland habitat, and a Martin Luther King Jr. sculpture added in recent years.

While the city hopes to introduce an Asian American garden, some residents are raising concerns about the park’s current state.

“All the paths have not been taken care of, they’re not even, so it’s hard for people with mobility issues, golfer holes everywhere, which is dangerous to walk on, the wetlands are pretty much gone,” Olga Chandler said.

Another resident, Douglas Chandler, stressed the importance of preserving the wetland habitat, saying, “It’s very important to me that the wetland habitat be maintained. Not every city gets to have a wetland habitat.”

Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the need for more attention to the park’s upkeep.

“Where we’re paying attention, putting the library, putting the polyandria gardens, putting the Martin Luther King sculpture garden, putting the community garden, where we pay attention and love, they’re safe, they’re beautiful, they’re useful land. Where we’re not giving attention, it’s weeds, it’s unsavory behavior, and so we need more eyes and ears on the ground,” Delgado said.

Delgado added, “The best way to do that is to make use of the ground, and so it looks cared for, it attracts people to work on the land, be part of it, be engaged—all families, all ages.”

The city of Marina previously had a 30-year agreement with the park district to provide maintenance for Locke-Paddon Park, but that agreement has expired.

The council is now discussing renewing the maintenance contract and planning future projects for the park.

Mayor Delgado said additional funding will be needed to improve the park, but collaboration with the park district, which owns 50% of the land, is essential.

“My priority is to get some basic maintenance for the park. It has fallen into disrepair, and our residents are asking for more, and they deserve more,” Brian McCarthy, a council member, said.