Costa Mesa’s Ketchum-Libolt Park to get upgrades thanks to $1.2 million in state funding 

The City of Costa Mesa received a $1.2 million earmark in the FY 2022-23 State Budget thanks to Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris to upgrade Ketchum-Libolt Park, a City park on the Westside named after two Police Officers who died in the line of duty 35 years ago.

“Assembly Member Petrie-Norris continues to respond directly to the needs of her constituents,” Mayor John Stephens said. “Recently, her tremendous support worked to secure $2.5 million in funding to rebuild our Fire Training Center. Now she’s done it again by getting an additional $1.2 million that we will use to upgrade Ketchum-Libolt Park. We are so very grateful for her efforts to benefit our community.”

This quaint park on the City’s Westside will be expanded into the adjacent parkway area to increase the overall footprint of the park and provide additional spaces for residents to recreate. The additional amenities will include new play equipment, picnic benches, and other park features identified by the community during the City’s outreach efforts.

“I’m so proud to have secured $1.2 million in the California state budget for the City of Costa Mesa to upgrade Ketchum-Libolt Park,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine).  “Adding a parkway and recreation amenities is just what the residents of Westside Costa Mesa need to live well and thrive in community.”

The park’s name is a tribute to Costa Mesa Police Officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, who lost their lives in a March 10, 1987, helicopter crash.

The park was built in August of 2005 to pay tribute to their many years of dedication to Costa Mesa and its residents.

“This park serves a community that is very much in need of parks and open space,” City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison said. “Thanks to the $1.2 million we are receiving, children and families on the Westside will have an upgraded park to visit while honoring the memory of these two valiant men.”