REPORT TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Initiate Public Input on the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
BACKGROUND
In 1965, the City of Santa Clara acquired eight and a half acres of farmland from Martin and Ann Perlenda that previously had been used as a prune orchard since 1894. Dedicated in 1977, Henry Schmidt Park’s master plan 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. Recently, the playground condition was downgraded to critical and the train-themed play structures were removed due to their unsafe condition.
The Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project (Project) will be completed in two phases. Phase I of the Project includes reviewing the condition of the park site, obtaining community input, developing a prioritized renovation plan, and completing a preferred schematic design for the playground rehabilitation in compliance with current design standards and priorities. Phase II of the Project includes the development of the construction plans according to the approved schematic design meeting all current regulations and funding nexus requirements such as increased capacity and or new amenities, and the construction of the Project. The scope of work for Phase II of the Project will depend on the results of Phase I.
On February 7, 2023 the City Council approved an agreement with David L. Gates & Associates, Inc. (23-1532) for engineering services to develop a park master plan and playground schematic design including site assessment and community input on the preferred park elements.
DISCUSSION
On July 18, 2023, the Parks & Recreation Commission will hear a presentation from David L. Gates & Associates, Inc. (Consultant) on the Project scope and timeline to develop the schematic design. The Consultant will introduce the existing site conditions for Henry Schmidt Park and the intended Project scope to create a unique, inclusive neighborhood park that welcomes residents of all ages and abilities and supports the increased resident population in the City of Santa Clara. The Commission will review the Project design principles that include: understanding the current use of Henry Schmidt Park, implementing research-based best practices for play and inclusionary/universal design, accommodating additional community use, addressing asset lifecycle maintenance costs, supporting the City’s sustainability and age-friendly goals, addressing adjacent concerns where feasible, and complying with potential playground equipment grant guidelines and funding requirements.
The public engagement process will include community pop-up input sessions at the Street Dance on August 4 in the Franklin Mall, and at the Sunset Cinema event in the Park on August 11 to collect input from the neighborhood on their recreational needs, as well as to explore the playground design priorities. There will be on site a-frames with project information to solicit community input, and additional communication through print and social media channels. An online survey will be available concurrently for residents not able to attend the on-site sessions. The information gathered from the community will be used to inform the update of the park site Master Plan as needed and the Henry Schmidt Playground Rehabilitation Project schematic design.
Once the Phase 1 design process is complete and Council has approved a revised park site Master Plan and preferred playground schematic design, the City will undertake Phase 2 design development work which will prepare the playground construction plans and specifications in compliance with the City’s construction standards and the public bid process.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is for design professional services and the action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15378 because it does not pose a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Capital Improvement Program Budget for FY2022/23 includes project 3195 Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation with funding in the amount of $235,000. The outreach and design agreement with Gates and Associates was approved by Council on February 7, 2023 for $109,566. Additional funding will be needed for Phase 2 for design development and construction, and will be requested at the end of Phase 1 based upon the approved Schematic Design and Project Scope.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Parks & Recreation Department, the Public Works Department, and the Finance Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take action to initiate public input on the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project.
Staff
Prepared by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation: Gates & Associates