ROB VARELA/THE STAR Vincenzo Giammanco has developed a proposal to transform Plaza Park in Ventura into what he calls The Play Ground, a spot that could include a dog park, outdoor stage, community gathering area and space for private events.

SHARE ROB VARELA/THE STAR Vincenzo Giammanco has developed a proposal to transform Plaza Park in Ventura into what he calls The Play Ground, a spot that could include a dog park, outdoor stage, community gathering area and space for private events. ROB VARELA/THE STAR Vincenzo Giammanco points at his rendering of The Play Ground, which he proposes to build in Plaza Park in Ventura. ROB VARELA/THE STAR Vincenzo Giammanco has developed a proposal to transform Plaza Park in Ventura into what he calls The Play Ground, which could include a dog park, outdoor stage, community gathering area and space for private events.

By Arlene Martinez, amartinez@vcstar.com

It's been called Drug Park, Hobo Park, Needle Park. None are particularly flattering and none are words the city of Ventura wishes people would associate with Plaza Park.

After all, few cities can boast a 3-acre park that's walking distance to both the beach and a quaint downtown that draws tourists from all over the world.

Located at Santa Clara and Chestnut streets, the park has a gazebo, walking path, a playground with slides and swings and lots of tall, leafy trees to escape the sun.

Or, as was the case on a recent early afternoon, trees to use as a restroom.

Sitting at a picnic table not far away, events promoter Vincenzo Giammanco looked away. He pointed to his plan.

It's called The Play Ground. The public-private partnership Giammanco envisions starts with getting a lease from Ventura to rent the city-owned park. It goes on.

On a portion of the site, there would be a dog park, a bocce ball court, space for yoga or Mommy and Me classes, a music stage, another playground and an events space for, say, weddings. A coffee shop and small businesses would set up shop in storage containers.

Sound ambitious enough?

Giammanco, whose group California Beer Festival hosts the Champagne on Main Wine Walk and Winter Wine Walk downtown, said that's the point.

"You need to do something drastic to make a change," he said.

TAKING BACK PLAZA PARK. AGAIN.

For decades the city, businesses and other groups have tried to make Plaza Park less of a haven for vagrants and those involved in illegal activities, and more of a recreation destination for local families and tourists. Recent efforts include the 2011 Clean and Safe Public Places Initiative, which lists the park as one of the locations to "take back," and the creation last year of Ventura's Park Security Ambassadors program.

Both programs place a high value on having a visible presence at the park, and not necessarily a police one. The ambassadors, for example, even help direct some of the park regulars to treatment or other services.

Residents, businesses, the City Council and others feel the programs have helped, and the council is exploring ways to make the ambassadors program permanent.

Jim Wright, who owns Jimmy's Slice, Sans Souci and Marie Shannon Confections, said the ambassadors "do a good job. It's just a big job."

Homeless people and vagrants still defecate on the patio of his bakery and do drugs in the bathrooms.

A friend of Giammanco, Wright fully supports The Play Ground, and plans to run the coffee shop, should it get that far.

"The homeless people won't want to stay ... if there were more people around," he said.

THE PROCESS BEGINS

Last month, Giammanco brought the proposal to the city's Parks and Recreation Commission.

The commissioners unanimously supported the plan and directed staff to find a path to move it forward.

"This is the type of project that hasn't been done here in Ventura, and I think they were intrigued by that," said Parks Manager Nancy O'Connor.

The board of directors for the downtown business improvement district, Downtown Ventura Partners, also supported the concept.

Giammanco wants to lease the park for 10 years, paying $1 a year in exchange for investing $1 million in infrastructure, including redoing the bathrooms, installing a fence around part of the park and adding 24/7 security.

City Manager Mark Watkins said The Play Ground would have to go through the same process as any permanent facility. It would need water and wastewater connections, to meet all building code requirements and to fit in with the vision of the city.

"The challenge from our end ... is to make sure these things are done right," he said. "Clearly a portion of the park would be uninhabitable to the public. Those are the things we need to think through."

It's unlikely the lease, the starting point, would come to the council anytime soon, Watkins said — or at least not until the budget is passed and decisions are made on the charter amendments and possible sales tax measure.

That said, "it looks exciting," he said.

City officials are looking into whether it would also have to go through the California Coastal Commission.

PLENTY OF ENTHUSIASM

Giammanco knows there will be a lot of doubt. He encountered it when he first started his beer, wine and Champagne events in downtown Ventura.

But it's what the city needs, he said.

"The goal is not to bring in a concrete jungle. It's to enhance what's here and make people feel safe coming here," he said.

The beautiful park has such potential, he said, and it was obvious what it could be during the 150th anniversary picnic held April 2. The event drew hundreds to the park to eat, browse vendors and listen to music.

"It shouldn't take five years to get this done," Giammanco said. "Let's not think of things to stall this. Let's think of ways to get this done."