REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Updated Park Master Plan with Preferred Playground Schematic Design for Henry Schmidt Park, Introduction of an Ordinance to Ensure Compliance with Measure R, and Related Budget Amendments
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Enhance Community Sports, Recreation, and Arts Assets
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
In 1965, the City of Santa Clara acquired eight and a half acres of farmland from Martin and Ann Perlenda that had been used as a prune orchard since 1894. Dedicated in 1977, Henry Schmidt Park's existing master plan (Attachment 1) contains a recreation and restroom building, four tennis courts, a basketball court, a softball field, an open grass play area, a playground, an on-site parking lot, picnic areas, and various park amenities. The park is bounded by Los Padres Boulevard to the west, Saratoga Avenue to the south, and residential properties to the north and east. The Facility Condition Assessment (Kitchell, 2018) indicated that the playground and amenities were in poor condition and the building was in fair condition. The playground condition was downgraded to critical and the train-themed play structures were removed due to their unsafe condition.
On February 7, 2023, the City Council approved an agreement with David L. Gates & Associates, Inc. (Consultant) (Attachment 2) for engineering services to develop an updated park master plan and playground schematic design, including site assessment and community input on the preferred park elements.
On July 18, 2023, the Parks & Recreation Commission received a presentation from the Consultant on the Project scope and timeline to develop the schematic design. At this meeting, the Commission initiated public input on the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project.
The public engagement process included a community pop-up input session at the Street Dance on August 4, 2023, on Jackson Street, and at the Sunset ...
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