REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of Draft Report by Project for Public Spaces Regarding Mission Branch Library City Plaza Park Place Making Pilot Project
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara hired Project for Public Spaces (PPS) in 2017 to introduce "Placemaking" and its principles to Council, staff, stakeholders and the general public with the goal of influencing proposed development, and advancing a strategy for place-centered improvement and activation of key public spaces throughout the city that will help to build a stronger community.
On October 19 and 20, 2018, PPS conducted a two-day site visit to Santa Clara to facilitate a Stakeholder Meeting and Community Workshop, using an approach called "Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper" (LQC). The LQC approach is based on taking incremental steps, using low-cost experiments, and tapping into local people, assets, ideas and places. The meeting and workshop focused on establishing an initial placemaking vision for the Mission Branch Library and City Plaza Park (site previously identified in 2017). Parks & Recreation Commissioners Martinez and Knaack participated. PPS prepared an initial Draft Report for feedback.
DISCUSSION
The Commission will review the Draft Report developed by PPS for a Place Making Pilot Project at Mission Branch Library and City Plaza Park. The report summarizes ideas for new programming that emphasize using the park space for Library activities and Parks & Recreation programing. Programming categories included: food, group exercise, performance, education, exhibits, and special events.
The Draft Report also presents possible park amenities and physical improvements to enhance community use of the park space. According to the City's practices, capital project proposals should include: consideration of operational and maintenance impacts, previously identified needs in the Parks & Recreation Facility Condition Assessment report for City Plaza Park (Ki...
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