REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review and Initiate Public Input on the Park Amenities & Design Standards Manual Administrative Draft
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department (Department) has a Park Amenities & Design Standards Manual (Standards) to provide consistency, efficiency and quality in the planning, design, development, improvement, maintenance and rehabilitation of City parks and recreational facilities. The Standards support two of the Council strategic Pillars to “Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure” and to “Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets.” The Standards also support the City’s General Plan goals to provide exceptional and inclusive parks and recreational experiences, preserve natural resources and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
The Standards are used in the design of new parks and recreational facilities, and/or the rehabilitation/renewal of existing parks and recreational facilities. The Standards provide guidance to landscape architects, grounds maintenance staff, and others as to what is acceptable and enables the effective, efficient maintenance and lifecycle replacement of assets while promoting sustainability, and an age-friendly park design that meets or exceeds ADA accessibility and inclusionary design practices. These Standards cover a wide range of park and recreation amenities, features and elements, identifying specific product types, materials, maintenance, and installation practices for park development.
It is understood that City park sites should be easily accessible to the public by various modes of transportation: vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian. Current Federal ADA accessibility guidelines must be incorporated into the design of parks, park facilities, and amenities. Accessibility should be fully accommodated at all sites. It is also understood that all new park facilities, elements, and components must conform to the most recent uniform building codes, California laws, regulations and federal Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines. Finally, where applicable, all current City ordinances, Public Works standards, and Utilities standards will be followed. Such guidelines are published elsewhere.
The production of the City Park Standards meets the following four objectives:
• To provide a comprehensive reference document that clearly represents the City’s current standard park components.
• To support the consistent, citywide identification and implementation of safe, cost-effective, easily maintained, structurally sound, and environmentally sustainable components.
• To review and select amenities that support the City’s goal of an active, inclusive, age-friendly, and healthy quality of life.
• To integrate enterprise asset identification, management, and lifecycle maintenance through standardization of key park components.
Information in the Park Amenities & Design Standards is not intended to replace or function as project specifications, construction documents, or contract documents. Project construction plans and specifications documents shall include all necessary details and specifications based on the Park Amenities & Design Standards. In addition, the development of new parks and the rehabilitation of existing parks go through a thorough schematic design process that includes public input, Commission review and Council approval that may identify items not included in the Standards.
DISCUSSION
At the July 18, 2023 Regular Meeting and subsequent meeting(s), the Parks & Recreation Commission will review the background and initial draft of the Park Amenities & Design Standards (Attachment 1), solicit public input, and provide feedback for staff to produce a final draft for recommendation to Council for approval.
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(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund for the current action. The final approval and implementation of the Park Amenities & Design Standards is anticipated to have no additional General Fund impacts.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with input from the Parks & Recreation Department, the Public Works Department, and the Information Technology Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission’s 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, e-mail clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Review initial draft of the Park Amenities & Design Standards and solicit public Input.
Staff
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Parks & Recreation Director
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Administrative Draft - Park Amenities & Design Standards Manual