REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
New Public Park at 936 East Duane Avenue (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
As part of the conditions of approvals for The Vale, a residential development project located at 915 DeGuigne Drive and 936 E. Duane Avenue (Report to Planning Commission No. 15-1072), the developer was required to construct a 0.8 acre public park (Attachment 1- Vicinity Map). The public park will be located at 936 E. Duane Avenue (corner of Duane and DeGuigne). The park design was completed through a community process, including three public meetings held on September 17, 2014, July 27, 2015 and January 18, 2017, and was reviewed and approved by the City as part of the development approvals. All park improvements will be constructed by the developer at no cost to the City.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation-Open Space, Goal LT-8
Adequate and Balanced Open Space - Provide and maintain adequate and balanced open space and recreation facilities for the benefit of maintaining a healthy community based on community needs and the ability of the City to finance, construct, maintain and operate these facilities now and in the future.
DISCUSSION
The park will buffer the new residential development along the western and southern boundary. An open, passive lawn area runs from the two intersecting streets and will also include installation of hardscape with playground equipment positioned towards the center of the park site with a half basketball court (Attachment 2 - Park Design). The improvements that are included in the new park will be complementary to Swegles Park, located about 330 feet to the southeast. In a sense, they are intended to function as one facility. The park is scheduled to open in fall 2017, however, the schedule is dependent on the construction of the development project. Once the park is completed, staff will propose a naming contest that will follow Council Policy 7.3.23 “Naming/Renaming Parks & Recreational Facilities” (Attachment 3). This process involves soliciting suggestions from the public citywide. Any name considerations will be first reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission with the ultimate decision made by the City Council.
The park’s annual operating costs of approximately $25,000 will be absorbed in Program 267 Parks and Open Space operating budget. These costs include personnel, water, and other purchased goods. The proximity to Swegles Park allows maintenance to be performed with the same equipment eliminating additional travel time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
Previous outreach related to the project included Planning Commission and Council meetings for the development project and community meetings on September 17, 2014, July 7, 2015 and January 18, 2017 for the park design.
Prepared by: Jim Stark, Superintendent of Parks and Golf
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Cynthia Bojorquez, Director, Library and Community Services
Reviewed by: Trudi Ryan, Director, Community Development
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Public Park Design
3. Policy 7.3.23