REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review Henry Schmidt Park Playground Conditions and Commission’s Current “Top Ten” Priority List of Park Playground Rehabilitation Projects
Report
BACKGROUND
The City Council has adopted “strategic pillars” to help focus City priorities, including “to enhance community sports, recreational and arts assets”, “to deliver and enhance high quality efficient services and infrastructure,” and “to enhance community engagement and transparency.” The Parks & Recreation Commission in their advisory role periodically reviews the prioritization of park projects and provides feedback based on the park facilities’ ages, conditions, usage, new funding opportunities, adjacent projects and community input. In 2017-2018, the City completed a Parks & Recreation Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) (Kitchell, 2018). The FCA inventoried all existing park assets including buildings, major features and amenities such as pathways, sports courts, playing fields, playgrounds, pools, parking lots, etc. The FCA provided a “Park Condition Index” (PCI) or “Building Condition Index” (BCI), based on a numerical rating for each facility: Good (0-4); Fair (5-10); Poor (11-30); and Critical (31+).
On February 19, 2019, the Commission established an ad hoc subcommittee to provide input on a “top ten list” of the most “critical” and “poor” park playground facilities for future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budgets. Playgrounds are an integral part of neighborhood parks and provide access for essential recreational activities that include running, climbing, brachiating, swinging, spinning, balancing, sliding, and imaginative play. These activities address the developmental needs of children and the physical, cognitive and social needs of park guests.
On August 20, 2019, the Commission recommended to Council a “Top Ten List of Potential Park Playground and/or Rehabilitation Projects” (Attachment 1). Periodically, the Commission reviews the list and provides feedback to staff when changes in facility conditions occur or when new information or funding becomes available. This review helps inform the Commission and community regarding upcoming projects and any need for potential update of the priorities for consideration by the City Manager and Council for the Parks & Recreation CIP project funding. The CIP Budget is adopted by Council and is available to the public on the City website.
DISCUSSION
All playgrounds on the Commission’s priority list for rehabilitation have a grade of “D”. However, several custom wood and metal, “train themed” playground apparatus at Henry Schmidt Park have been removed due to age and structural deterioration (Attachments 2-6). The playground currently has a very limited service capacity and functionality.
The Commission will discuss their “Top Ten” list of recommended playground rehabilitation projects and whether to recommend Council reconsideration of Henry Schmidt Park playground for earlier project prioritization. Rehabilitation projects for Rotary Playground and Westwood Oaks Park Playground are funded and community outreach is anticipated to commence in the current year. To be clear, there are no currently identified funds to complete the Henry Schmidt playground rehabilitation at this time; any recommendation to reprioritize would need an allocation from another source or reallocation of funds from existing projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 “Existing Facilities”, 15302 “replacement or reconstruction”, and 15303 “new construction or conversion of small structures” as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting or minor alteration of existing public facilities or topographical features involving negligible expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agencies determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund at this time. However, any reprioritization or allocation of CIP funds would require development of a scope of work, cost analysis and Council review and approval as part of the Budget process.
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, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend prioritization of Henry Schmidt Park Playground for consideration in the upcoming Capital Improvement Project Budget development.
Staff
Prepared by: Dale Seale, Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. File No.19-518 Prioritized List of Potential Playground Rehabilitation Projects
2. Henry Schmidt Park Playground Photo 1
3. Henry Schmidt Park Playground Photo 2
4. Henry Schmidt Park Playground Photo 3
5. Henry Schmidt Park Playground Photo 4
6. Henry Schmidt Park Playground Photo 5