REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Action on the Proposed Goals, Timeline and Outreach Process for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Process
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Sports Recreation and Arts Assets
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara has experienced significant residential growth in recent years which has placed higher demands on existing facilities and new demands for additional amenities and programs in other areas of the City. In order to ensure that the community’s needs are met, a system-wide parks and recreation master plan is needed to provide an inclusive framework for the orderly and consistent planning of the acquisition, development, operation, maintenance and administration of the existing and new parks and recreation resources, programs and facilities.
On September 12, 2023, the City Council approved an agreement for professional services with Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC (“WRT”) in an amount not to exceed $442,624. Under the agreement, WRT will provide professional services for the development of the City-wide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The scope of services includes project management, community engagement, resource and data collection, implementation and development of the final plan and supporting materials. The consultants will work closely with staff, City Commissions and the City Council to prepare an appropriate plan, through assessment and analysis of current parks and recreation facilities, programs and services, park system mapping, demographic and recreational demand/trend analysis, review of research best practices and the identification of viable implementation strategies.
The purpose of this item is to provide an opportunity for WRT to present an overview of the preliminary data collection work that is underway as well as to provide the Commission with an overview of the next phase of the process which will include a robust community engagement process. The presentation will be an opportunity for the Commission to provide feedback on the proposed process and to share their vision of a successful parks and recreation master plan process.
DISCUSSION
Parks and recreation master planning is a comprehensive process that provides policy direction to local government decision makers. The planning process engages stakeholders, gathers public input and provides a foundation for understanding and responding to the changing parks and recreation needs of the community. The process involves strategically examining a community’s vision, developing an inventory of the existing community facilities, programs and other assets in order to assess future needs for long-term or phased-in development and improvements.
At the August 12, 2024 Commission meeting, the City’s consultant team (WRT) will present an overview of the proposed process to be used in developing the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This master planning process will include multiple public workshops, surveys, and pop-up events to provide many opportunities for community members to participate in the planning process. The following graphic provides a visual representation of the proposed process:
In addition to providing an overview of the master plan process, the purpose of this item will be to formally launch the community engagement phase of the project. As such, the Consultant will seek the Commission’s input on the following questions:
• What are the critical issues and concerns you want to see addressed in the Plan?
• What do you see as the big vision for the Parks & Recreation Master Plan?
• What Master Plan outcome would you be most proud of or excited about?
• What should we be especially attuned to as we undertake the planning effort?
• What will be the biggest challenges in reaching and engaging local community
members?
Next Steps
Following the presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission, the consultant team will proceed with a full launch of the community engagement process. As outlined above, it is anticipated that the master plan process will be completed by late summer 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
COORDINATION
This item has been coordinated with the City Attorney and City Manager’s office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the 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
It is recommended that the Commission:
1. Provide feedback on the proposed community engagement process;
2. Provide feedback on the five questions noted in the discussion section of this report related to a vision, desired outcome(s) and critical issues to be addressed as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Process; and
3. Note and file the report.
Staff
Reviewed by: Cynthia Bojorquez, Assistant City Manager and Acting Director - Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Jōvan Grogan, City Manager