Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation on the community input and conceptual design for Forebay Park;
2) Approve the conceptual design for Forebay Park; and
3) Direct staff to proceed with the environmental review process, and with developing a phasing plan and constructions documents based on available funding and community priorities and implementing the park improvements.
FUNDING: American Rescue Plan Act (90%), California Department of Parks and Recreation Prop 68 Per Capita Program (9%), General Fund (1%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In 2019, in preparation for submission of an application for the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Prop 68) Round 3 funding for Forebay Park improvements, five public meetings were held to solicit community input on park features. Suggested features to be added to this park location included a playground, BMX track/bike trails, T-Ball field, outdoor amphitheater, exercise equipment, picnic tables, restroom, basketball court, pickleball court, dog park, disc golf, handball/kickball area, and shade structures. Features to be renovated included the Community Center, parking lot, road, and restroom.
On February 20, 2020 the County was notified that no grant funding would be awarded. On September 1, 2020 the Board directed staff to submit again for Prop 68, Round 4 for this location. The county was unsuccessful in that round also. On November 2, 2021, the Board of Supervisors authorized Parks to submit an application for Proposition 68 Regional Parks and Rural and Recreational Tourism grant funding in the amount of $3 million (Legistar Item #21-1702). On November 9, 2021 (Legistar Item #21-1680), the Board directed that $3 million in ARPA funding be allocated to make improvements to Forebay Park, to be used if the County did not receive the Prop 68 funding.
As a result of this direction, the Parks Division, working with Helix Environmental Planning, Inc., began the planning process for the park. A survey was sent out to the community through social media and GovDelivery. The survey was live March 25, 2022 through April 17, 2022, and results from 171 respondents were compiled. Based on the survey results, a bubble diagram depicting park features including a dog park, walking paths, disc golf, restroom, accessible playground, exercise equipment, and BMX/bike trail, with approximate locations for each was developed and presented at the first public meeting on May 18, 2022 (Attachment A).
Based on input received during the first public meeting, the bubble diagram was revised to add more group picnic areas, pickleball, and exercise equipment, reduce disc golf area, remove BMX/PumpTrack/Bike Trail and replace with paved multi-use trail for walking and biking, and to address potential issues with noise, traffic, and retaining the natural feel of the site. This bubble diagram was discussed at the second public meeting, which was the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on July 27, 2022 (Attachment B). At this meeting, the Commission heard from the public that there was support for an accessible playground, retaining trees, picnic tables and gathering areas, pickleball and basketball, and adding a pump track back in if feasible. There was also interest in seeing park development as soon as possible, and little support for walking trail / paths due to the existing trail around Forebay Lake.
The Commission, after public input, made a motion to appoint an ad-hoc committee to make a recommendation to the Commission at their next meeting. The ad-hoc committee met on August 3, 2022, at Forebay Park. The proposed improvements, including a bike park feature, were discussed. Because of the location of the proposed bike feature and the topography of the site, a bike park would have potential environmental impacts and would likely require an Environmental Impact Report, as opposed to a Negative or Mitigated Negative Declaration, under the California Environmental Quality Act, which would add to the cost and the timeline for park improvements. In their recommendation, the ad-hoc committee decided to not pursue the bike feature, but to also leave the area identified for this feature as passive recreation, in the event a bike park or walking path would be desired in the future. Additionally, the ad-hoc committee recommended moving some of the amenities to different locations, expanding the disc golf areas due to low cost and popularity, and increasing the buffer between neighbors and park improvements. The conceptual design (Attachment C) was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting August 18, 2022 (Legistar #22-1483).
Staff is seeking approval of the conceptual plan. The plan includes new parking areas, a restroom, playground, basketball and pickleball courts, a dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs, benches, a drinking fountain, a disc golf course, picnic tables and exercise equipment. The existing horseshoe pit, batting cages, community center, and group picnic area will remain. Following approval, staff will move forward with the environmental review process, complete a phasing plan based on available funding and community priorities, develop construction documents, and implement the park improvements.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the concept plan or could direct staff to revise the plan.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
21-1680: ARPA Funding
21-1702: Prop 68 Grant Application
21-1452: Prop 68 Per Capita Contract
21-0162: Prop 68 Per Capita Resolution
22-1483: Parks and Recreation Commission Approval of Concept Plan
22-0292: Helix Park Design and Environmental Agreement for Services
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Department of Transportation
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) administers the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Prop 68) Per Capita program, which has made funding available to fund local park rehabilitation, creation, and improvement grants to local governments on a per capita basis. The County was allocated $400,000 in per capita funding. On September 21, 2021, the Board approved the projects for the Prop 68 Per Capita Grants that included $300,000 to replace the restroom at Forebay Park. In addition, $50,000 in General Fund is allocated to fund the Forebay Playground and $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has also been allocated for the improvements to Forebay Park. There is no budget amendment needed and no increase to net County cost as a result of this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Vickie Sanders, Parks Manager