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P&R 01-06-05 .. CUPEI(I1NO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, January 6, 2005 6:30 p.m. Training; 7 p.m. Regular Meeting Cupertino Community Hall 10530 Torre Avenue AGENDA NEW CHAMBER TRAINING (6:30-6:50 p.m.) CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL 1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING A. Regular adjourned meeting of December 7, 2004 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes a person. In most cases, state law will prohibit the commission from making any decisions with respect to a matter not listed on the agenda. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. General Plan - Recommendation to the Planning Commission and City Council. B. Review of proposed park prograrmning - Stevens Creek Corridor Park 4. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written communications B. Staff updates C. Commission contacts 5. ADJOURNMENT In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Cupertino will make reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with qualified disabilities. If you require special assistance, please contact the Parks and Recreation administrative offices at 777-3110 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. DRAFT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7,2004 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brown called the regular adjourned meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 7 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Staff present: Rod Brown, Roger Peng, Cary Chien Jeanne Bradford, Frank Jelinch Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director; Mike O'Dowd, Supervisor, Blackberry Farm; Barbara Banfield, Naturalist, McClellan Ranch; Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant I. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Regular meeting of October 7, 2004 ACTION: The minutes of October 7, 2004, were unanimously approved as written. 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Consider a request from A YSO 64 for Sunday play at Jollyman Park from Noon to 2 p,m., March through the first week in June, for the VIP program and make a recommendation to City Council. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously agreed upon to recommend an approval of A YSO 64's request to City Council. 4. STUDY SESSION A. Study Session - Stevens Creek Corridor Restoration Director Smith gave a PowerPoint update on the Stevens Creek Corridor Park Project. The project is moving forward in environmental analysis and planning, future prograrmning, and fundraising efforts. It was reported that the Stevens Creek's stream alignment is being studied, water table height has been measured, and the riparian vegetation is also being studied. In the near future, there will be a traffic review, and proposed activity in the park will be considered with the environmental review. Outdoor learning and recreational opportunities were Parks and Recreation Commission December 7, 2004 Page 2 of 4 outlined for future prograrmning options. It was stated that the biggest decision yet to be made involves the alignment ofthe Stevens Creek Trail- either east or west alignment. Fundraising, thus far, has been successful with over $1,400,000 in funds secured. The transition of Blackberry Farm staffing is being investigated and the City Council will begin discussing its transition at the next Council meeting in January. The future focus of the park operation will be environmental education and recreation, with a key component of that focus being the expansion of the naturalist programs. A proposed McClellan Ranch environmental classroom model and floor plan were displayed, and a cost estimate of $1 ,145,900 was provided. Bob Levy, resident, offered to lend maps to stafffrom the late 1800's and an aerial from 1939 of the Stevens Creek area. Commission Comments Commissioner Peng asked about the relationship between the flood plain and the water table. Director Smith reported that hydrologist's investigation of the creek, via a 30'L by 5'D by 3'W trench, discovered that the stream depth is 5.8' and the water table is II'. This translates to mean that the trees along the creek are getting the water from the creek, not from the water table. Ifthe water table were higher, the opportunity to grow water-loving plants (riparian plants) would be greater. In terms of mitigation banking, the City does not have this situation in the Stevens Creek. There is, though, other valuable habitat that can be restored in the Corridor. She pointed out that a flood plain does not equal a high water table. Chairman Brown asked if moving the creek was seriously being considered over to the western alignment at this point. Director Smith stated that investigation is looking at maintaining a certain grade over a distance and that an answer to that question has not been formulated. The answer will be driven more by the geology and grade of the creek alignment as opposed to the historical location. Chairman Brown said it appears that a lot of funding is associated to restoration of riparian zones. He asked if the diminished riparian zone will have any effects other than on the litigation banking - does that potentially reduce other sources of funds? Director Smith stated that the primary source of funds is going to be the Santa Clara Valley Water District and they are required to do this because of a lawsuit. With the barriers to fish passage, the City will be applying to the Department of Water Resources to match our half. According to information, the Stevens Creek is the second best passage for steelhead trout. This funding would be directly related to the stream restoration. Chairman Brown asked about other funding opportunities. Director Smith reported that she will be developing a grant proposal with the Water District that is due January 25. Parks and Recreation Commission December 7, 2004 Page 3 of 4 Director Smith reported that in January she would like to begin discussions of the Stevens Creek Trail with the Commission. She would also like the Commission to consider a recommendation on the Blackberry Farm transition at that time. She stated that there would be departmental reorganization issues that will need to be addressed. Chairman Brown asked for a brief update ofthe Blue Pheasant. Director Smith reported that the business is still for sale. The owners of the business signed a lease that stated that they would close at 11 p.m. and they agreed that the City Council would have the final say on re-assignment if they sold the business, but these have proven to be inconvenient for them. Per the lease agreement, the City has re-roofed the building. A judge has determined that there was no irreparable harm with the business staying open until 2 p.m. Though the case is expected to go to trial; there is a possibility of mediation. Chairman Brown thanked Director Smith for sending out an update letter to all interested parties. In the letter, it stated that the trail alignment would be discussed at the February meeting and he asked that we stick with that February date. Public Comments Bob Levy asked if it would be possible to do a phased changeover. Director Smith stated that would not be possible during construction. There will be six months when the park is completely offline. He asked about the inclusion of the Water District land at McClellan Ranch and asked ifthe area will stay a preserve. Director Smith said that the only project that is planned for McClellan is the construction of a classroom building and the trail going through there in some manner to connect it to the rest of the Corridor. Those are the only things that the City is pursuing. The Historical Society has received permission to raise money to improve the historical buildings. If they don't succeed in that, the City would have to take that part on at some point in the future. In terms of the boundaries of the preserve, she can see the City having a discussion that would change the boundaries of the preserve - if we create restored area along the creek, it would make sense to her, particularly on the west side, to expand the boundaries of the preserve. She stated that in the future, this would need to be looked at because it is an artificial boundary line. When the restoration plan is done, this would be an appropriate time to have that conversation. Deborah Jamison, resident, said she wanted to lobby to make the Stocklmeir property Cupertino's second natural/rural preserve. She asked if the design of the proposed environmental classroom will be architecturally compatible' with the preserve and will it be sited with various green building principles? Director Smith stated that green building principles would be a part of the building. Jasper Parks and Recreation Commission December 7, 2004 Page 4 of 4 Ridge is being used as a model. Ms. Jamison asked about the plans to convert the golf course maintenance to a more environmentally friendly operation using pest management techniques. For her, the trail alignment should be determined by the restoration possibilities, and she was wondering if that would be settled by January or February if we don't know the restoration issues. To her, alignment should be determined by accessibility. Director Smith answered that as far as the trail is concerned, at this point we are looking at gross east or west side at this time. She believes this decision needs to be made in January or February so that work can begin. Supervisor O'Dowd stated that there is an integrated pest management plan in operation now at Blackberry Farm Golf Course. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Staff Oral Reports: a. The California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners & Board Members is holding a workshop in February 2005, for $25. There is money in the budget for commissioners to attend. b. There was a successful Tree Lighting and Breakfast With Santa. c. Meetings have taken place with DACA, who want to make a capital investment in the Sports Center pool for a longer-term lease. At this time, they are offering $700,000 to improve the bathhouse and the pool. The estimate to do the work per DACA's vision is $1.3 million. d. The next Commission meeting will take place, for the first time, in the new Community Hall. To introduce the new layout, it was suggested to find out if commissioners could meet at 6:30 p.m. for a brief training session prior to the regular portion ofthe meeting. B. Commissioner contacts: None 6. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant Minutes approved at the 2005, meeting. 6:'-;:-' I tj .~;'" -- ~ . F CUPEIQ1NO PARKS AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT TO THE CUPERTINO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Agenda Date: January 6, 2005 HAPPY NEW YEAR! The two major items for our January 6 meeting are the draft General Plan and review of the Plan and Program for Stevens Creek Corridor Park. Item 3.A.: Commission InDut on the Draft General Plan: The process for amending the General Plan has been underway for the past three years, and the Parks and Recreation Commission met a number of times in 2001 on issues relevant to parks and open space. Your recommendations were incorporated into an Administrative Draft General Plan that was presented to the City Council and Planning Commission in early 2003. In March 2003, the City Council specifically discussed three issues: · Total park acreage for Cupertino · Distribution of park acreage · Use of acreage Total Acreage: The City's policy through the current General Plan has been to provide three acres of open space for 1,000 population. The draft you are reviewing anticipates a build-out of 22,369 housing units, with a projected population of 61 ,515 people, requiring approximately 184.5 acres of parkland. The City currently owns 128.52 acres developed as parks. Please refer to Table 2-B in the enclosed Task Force Draft, page 2-56. We have entered into ajoint powers agreement for approximately 30 acres of open space owned by the Cupertino Union School District. These sites are primarily atWetic fields. The joint powers agreement runs until 2016. There are an additional 41.3 acres "on deck" that could be developed as parkland. They are Blackberry Farm, the Simms property and the Stocklmeir property. The Simms and Stocklmeir lots are not currently used as parkland. Blackberry Farm is open only 100 days per year, and is a fee-for-use area. Most use ofBBF (90%) is by nonresidents. The attached Task Force Draft - "Corrections and Technical Changes" refers to private/public spaces such as Cali Mill Plaza. It is recommended that these be acknowledged as public open space, but not added to our total acreage. Printed on Recycled Paper Director's Report to Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 2 of3 If: · The City successfully renews the joint powers agreement with Cupertino School District · The schools do not surplus land · Blackberry Farm is redeveloped as a park · The Simms and Stocklmeir properties are brought into public use, then our total acreage will be just under 200 acres. General Plan policies advocate the preservation of school playing fields, master planning areas that are not currently used for community open space and developing an acquisition strategy in the event some school sites become surplused. Distribution: The second issue regarding park acreage is its distribution throughout the community. Please refer to Table 2C, page 2-61. There are areas deficient in park acreage and policies have been written to encourage the provision of open space. Examples are: · Acquisition of a park at the Villa Serra development (by Homestead Road)-the F 1 area · Parkland at Vallco · Potential for developing a linear park in the Rancho Rincoñada area with the development of the San Tomas Aquino Trail. These policies address distribution. Use of Acreage: Finally, there are policies that deal with use of parkland and the distribution of intensive community use. Policy 2-73, on page 2-55, discusses the level of recreational intensity. Many of the school sites developed for joint use as park facilities and neighborhood parks are located in neighborhoods. In Cupertino, most ofthe traffic congestion centers around schools. If we continuously look to school sites to develop community facilities (such as a community gymnasium or, perhaps some day, a community pool), it will further impact neighborhood traffic. We need to begin to look at parks on major arterials for more intensive community use. As we, over time, redevelop the community, it is important to think about the use each park is suitable for. Some areas are more appropriate for higher intensity use. PROCESS Late in 2003, the City Council decided to create a General Plan Task Force to solicit additional public input. The Task Force met through sununer and fall of 2003, and presented recommendations to the City Council early in 2004. The City Council, while not endorsing the Task Force recommendations, authorized that they be incorporated into a draft General Plan for circulation. The public hearing process begins with an initial Planning Commission meeting on January 11. Enclosed is the draft Land Use Element, which includes policies relative to open space, parks, and trails - beginning on page 2-45, Director's Report to Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2005 Page 3 of3 RECOMMENDATION None of the park and open space policies within the draft have been identified as "hot topics" over the past three years. The Planning Commission has asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission give the document one final look to determine if any changes are needed (see "Hot Topics" summary enclosed) before it is forwarded to the City Council; however, staffhas no recommendations for changes to the draft at this time. Ciddy Wordell, City Planner, will be at the January meeting to address any issues the Commission may have. Item 3.B.: Stevens Creek Corridor Park - Review of the Dark Dlan and DroDosed Dr02rammin2 Attached is a draft of the presentation that will be given at the January 6 meeting. The review of future park prograrmning is critical at this time because it is the proposed level of use that will be accommodated in the plan for the new park. We will give our proposed program and all input received at the meeting to the traffic engineer, so he may prepare for our February review of parking access and circulation. We will be working with the established access points at Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Fernando Avenue and McClellan Road. The change from existing park use to proposed will need to be evaluated for environmental impacts. RECOMMENDATION Consider public input and forward the information to the traffic engineer. Submitted by: ¿es~Director Parks and Recreation Administration g:\parks and recreation admin\p&r commission\draft general plan input.doc Stevens Creek Corridor Park Review of Park Plan And Proposed Programming --IiI-- --'----IiI-- --,-- --'----IiI----.;:-- --Iþ----,-- --IjI-- --,----IjI-- Parks and Recreation Commission January 6, 2004 . CUPEIQ1NO --Iþ-- --ii!l----,-- --IjI-- --,----IjI-- Goals Council - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -,- - - -.;- - --,-- ~, in Invite members of the community to enjoy the property the corridor year-round - serve more people · Minimize the effects of park operation on surrounding residents · Preserve and restore the natural environment of the creek corridor for park users and as habitat for wildlife · Provide a trail or trails compatible with the natural setting that will accommodate a variety of trail users · Acknowledge and interpret the history of the area through a series of historical markers and through the preservation of buildings at McClellan Ranch · Encourage educational uses of the creek corridor and support environmental programming at McClellan Ranch At a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on December 7, we reported to the community that: . In We are moving forward with the project three ways: 1. 2. 3. Environmental analysis/park planning Planning for future programming Fundraising . Park Planning - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI-- . We have a preferred conceptual plan. It needs further refinement. Specifically: 1. define the limits of restoration 2. define the trail alignment 3. insure adequate access, parking ~ , ~i , i i i ì Legend L.:..:Jla!goG/<qlI"'ll::nO>_ .. -Gr<>up-- B~~ .~-- """.-Ii.-.gGo/l<:oura -.....- . =GorCøne . -- ~~- - '"-~~ I --.' (IDo¡1bo<} t...-...~_n.iI I·r "::. ="~ i DO y~ @~PIIIy- r¡l ì' ::: I ¡..l II --~ .-. ~ ~~ ([1"""-- l~ - ( r:== I, )) ø~F<~ ~;~\\ ., { -- ~ IIl~STEVENS CREEK CORRIDOR PARK LANDS ~~PREFERRED CONCEPT ,- - ---._~ - /;;;' I. I I I Park Planning - Step 1 Define the Limit of Riparian Restoration .. We have conducted a preliminary investigation into suitability for riparian restoration .. Trenching has revealed that the water table is not high enough to support riparian vegetation much beyond the stream channel . Most of the riparian vegetation is receiving moisture directly from the stream " .J ~ NORTH Legend_ C.:.:.I t..g¡oG""",__ '.5nlellGI'QO>__ 8-....... .~-- ~ E-.uGcMC<ano --- .=~COUnOI . ""'.... 'F"-',~~ - /._~CI'IImOI ----- þ!klw) .._..~_T.. 'þ . £"'" ~ " D , i I !Al1~STEVENS CREEK CORRIDOR PARK LANDS ~; PREFERRED CONCEPT , . We know that much of the area defined for restoration on this plan will be in uplands habitat . We need to define the restoration areas .... within McClellan Ranch of park planning at this the restoration area . For the purposes . IS point, we assume identified on the preferred alternative adequate and can consider the trail alignment within that context there will be pockets of as upland . In the vegetation, riparian plantings, as well plantings of oaks and native grasses Alignment Define a Trail . The biggest decision yet to be made involves the alignment of the Stevens Creek Trail, and this decision should be made in light of the activities that are planned for the Corridor . . Givens . The City Council has stated a goal for the Corridor that a trail or trails be provided to serve a variety of trail users . The Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study recommended an at-grade crossing at Stevens Creek Boulevard, as well as two options for crossings at McClellan Road - one grade separated and one at grade . The challenge will be to recommend an east or west trail alignment. . Factors to consider (include, but are not limited . . · Available area to construct the trail to) · Impacts to adjacent properties · Minimizing the number of creek crossings · Circulation through the park linking activity areas · Multiuse or separate pedestrian and bike trails Future Park Programming .. Critical to evaluating access and parking requirements is an estimate of use at locations throughout the park .. Our traffic engineer will be attending the February meeting to discuss the proposed park circulation and the Stevens Creek Trail. .. All feedback received at this meeting will be forwarded to the traffic consultant prior to our next meeting Outdoor Learning Opportunities for School Pupils Program CluuII PaItk:ipInts . ToIII Fee Charged Proec:ted Growth V.. PIrtI r. Creek Education Program Third grade classes 95/yeaz 20-70 1,900 (2003- None. City Approx. 100 third grade students visit creek, riparian corridor, and adjacent upland students/day 04) covers cost ftom 1-3 private schools may habitats to investigate watershe<ke1ated issues. of bus participate in program in future. Students collect and identify stream macro- transportati invertebrates to evaluate water quality. Students are on for split into smaller groups for field studies. The City those of Cupertino naturalist trains teachers and provides schools instructional materials for pre-trip activities. within the city limits. Other School Nature Programs The Cupertino 14-231year 17-36 280 (2003-04) None 250-400 more students would Parks & Recreation Department naturalist works students/day participate in outdoor learning if with K-6 grade teachers to provide an outdoor pole barn is constructed. education program that enhances each classroom's cwriculum, Naturalist-led programs last 1 ~ - 2 hours and 00_ a variety of topics including: birds, insects, plants and seeds, habitats, ecological surveys and maDDinE. Living History Programs The Cupertino None None None currently Under 900+ students are estimated to Historical Society in cooperation with Cupertino currently currently discussion participate by 2006-07, Growth is Parks &Recreation Department is currently anticipated in following years. planning restoration of historic structures and develoJIDent of livinE historY Drolll'lllllS. High School Creek Study Chemisl1y, Biology, AP 4-21/yeaz 25-35 650 (2003-04) None Potential expansion of program to Biology, and ISC students ftom Monta Vista High include other high schools. are doing a joint environmental study of the Stevens Creek Area. Photos and data ftom these studies can be viewed at htto:llwww.mvhs.fuhsd.orllldeot/sciencelstevens cr eeklindex.html San Jose Conservation Corp Education and None None None currently None If the project is funded, 20 youth employment training opportunities for a diverse currently currently will be employed to work on population of at-risk, South Bay youth restoration and park construction oroiects, De Anza College Environmental Studies classes 3-5/year 70 (2003-04) None To 240 participants visit area and individual use area for research ------- --------- - ---------- ,,---- ------- --------, --....... Program MeetlngsJ Participants! Total Fee Charged Projected Growth Year Proaram ParticlpantsNear ACter-school Nature and Science Classes Ten to 45 10-15 129 Yes. $30- twelve classes for elementary school-age children $42/session meet in the Stevens Creek Corridor. Each class meets 2-6 times for 1!h hours and covers a different topic. Classes offered inc1u!le Ornithology, Entomology, Geosciences, Sprouting and Hatching, Knitting with a NaturaIist, exploring Field and Stream and Skulls, Bones and Skeletons. Summer Youth Camps Nature Camp is a 78 (Nature 18-35/session 205 (Nature Camp) $100- popular day camp based in McClellan Ranch Camp) 240 (Summer $ 160/session Park. Summer Science Fun is based in a park on 78 (Summer Science) the other side of town, but it makes visits to the Science) 74(Adventurous Stevens Creek Corridor about once or twice each 39 Atoms) session because of the learning and recreational (Adven- turous opportunities available there. Atoms) Saturday Nature Programs Naturalist-led programs 24 6-36 480 No. 750 more can be are offered on a wide variety of topics. Some served by 2006 by programs are planned specifically for families with providing enlarged young children while other are designed to meet the sheltered area. The interests of adults. Guest speakers are often included. cunent indoor Beekeeping, Plant Identification, Printmaking form meeting space Nature, Introduction to Integrated Pest Management, cunently seats only and Understanding Maps are some example of the 24. nrolmlDlS offered. Continued next slide Outdoor Learning Opportunities - (Not School-Related) - 2003 400 more potentially accommodated No 248 8-30 34 Yes 92 members 92 members 9 general meetings 80 project mee!ings 1 Programs for Scout or Youth Groups Scout troops or other youth groups schedule time with the naturalist to meet badge requirements or take a guided hike. Rolling Hills 4-H Club This club is very active and uses buildings at McClellan Ranch Park and Monta Vista Recreation Center. Participation in this event has been growing at rate of 1O%/yr. I Expansion of this program is planned No No 650 70 650 70 1 Audubon Wildlife Edueation Day 20 environmental and wildlife groups participate in this annual special event that offers hands-on activities for children as well as talks and demonstrations. McClellan Ranch Bioblitz Specialists such as botanists, entomologists, and ornithologists team with community members to survey the biodiversity of the area. This event won national recognition in 2002. -= We have prepared a draft program for community use of the park -= This is a starting point for traffic review and is subject to revision after we receive community input · One of the most significant issues for the surrounding neighbors is traffic generation from proposed park activities · We will be working with the established access points at Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Fernando Avenue, and McClellan Road · We want to focus on the change from existing park use to proposed, for the purpose of environmental review " I .""" ,""'" ,-'" "" -,-- Stevens Creek Corridor I DF LAFT Annual Partici~ants - Monthl',¡ Breakdown I I I I , 'I , ii, ! , , , , Access Point Stevens Creek Blvd. Program Jan. Feb March Anril Mav June JulY AU(] Sent Oct Nov Dee TOTAL Golf Course 3200 3400 5300 6000 6700 7000 7100 7300 6000 5300 4100 2600 64,000 Restaurant 4200 4300 4500 4800 5800 6400 6600 6600 6000 4800 4200 4200 82,400 Trail 500 600 700 900 900 1.200 1,200 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 10,000 Li~ng History Center 900 900 900 900 900 950 950 950 900 900 900 900 10,950 Other 75 75 80 90 90 90 90 90 90 80 75 75 1,000 San Fernando Ave. Picnicking 100 250 300 800 4,000 7,600 7,600 7,600 3,500 500 200 100 32,550 Rec Swim 0 0 0 600 3,000 3,400 3,400 3,400 2,000 475 0 0 16,275 Trail 500 600 700 900 900 1.200 1,200 1.200 1.000 800 600 400 10.000 Community Events 0 0 0 500 500 500 500 500 500 0 0 0 3,000 Other 75 75 80 90 90 90 90 90 90 80 75 75 1,000 I McGlellan Koad Nature Educational programs 500 600 600 600 400 300 300 300 500 600 600 100 5,400 Trail 500 600 700 900 900 1,200 1,200 1,200 1.000 800 600 400 10,000 Santa Clara Valley Audubon 200 300 300 300 300 400 400 400 400 250 200 200 3,650 Community Gardens 300 300 500 600 600 600 600 600 500 460 200 200 5,460 Rolling Hills 4 - H 120 200 400 400 400 300 300 200 200 200 100 100 2,920 Nature After School Classes 50 50 50 50 50 50 0 0 50 50 50 50 500 Other 50 100 100 150 250 250 250 250 250 200 100 50 2,000 DRAFT ¡Alternative Program , I , i , , i , , , Program Jan. Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec TOTAL San Fernando Ave. Swimming Lessons 0 0 0 0 0 200 400 200 0 0 0 0 800 Camp Programs 0 0 0 0 0 40 80 40 0 0 0 0 160 McClellan Road Nature Educational Preschoc 40 40 40 40 40 0 0 0 40 40 40 40 360 DR1tFT u. ¡ I St~Y'ens Creek Corridpr IAnnual Participant Estimates Number of Vehicles 42,666 64,000/1.5 = 42,666 41,600 62,400/1.5 = 41,600 5,000 10,000/ .5 = 5,000 5,475 10,950/ .5 = 5,475 500 1,000/ .5 = 500 Number of Participants 64,000 annually 62,400 200 x 312 days = 62,400 10,000 27 day x 365 days = 10,000 10,950 30 ,,;sitors x 365 day = 10,950 1,000 Program Golf Course Access Point Stevens Creek Blvd Restaurant U,,;ng History Center Other Trai 10,850 a\erage 3 per car 5,425 a\oerage 3 per car 5,000 10,000/ .5 = 5.000 750 3,000/ .25 = 750 500 1.000/ .5 = 500 32,550 annually 16,275 annually 10,000 27 day x 365 days = 10,000 3,000 6 e-.ents x 500 = 3,000 1,000 Picnicking Communit}'_ E\ents Other Rae Swim Trai San Fernando Ave 1,080 5,400/ .2 = 1,080 5,000 10,000/ .5 = 5,000 3,650 10 cars per day = 3,650 5,475 15 cars per day x 365 = 5,475 2,920 8 cars per day x 365 = 2,920 500 per participant 1,000 2.000/.5 = 1 000 5,400 annually 10,000 27 day x 365 = 500 visitors and employees 120 plots + helpers 60 members 500 annually 2,000 photographers & painters 10,000 Nature Educational Programs Trail Santa Clara Valley Audubon Community Gardens Rolling Hills 4-H Nature After School Classes Other McClellan Road DRAFT Alternative Programs Number of Number of Access Point Program Participants Vehicles San Fernando Ave. Swimming Lessons 800 8,000 200 participants x 4 - 2 wi< sessions 200 cars x 40 days - 8,000 Camp Programs 160 3,200 40 participants x 4 - 2 wi< sessions 80 cars x 40 days = 3,200 McClellan Road Nature Educational Preschool 40 4,400 annually 40 kids x 22 weeks x 5 days -4,400 - ~ -~,-- ---- Stevens Creek Corridor l.FT Annu~l~p~ª!1!cipant Estimates I 1 I'\. r ~- f-- -- -I ! Number of Number of Access Point Program Participants Vehicles Steloens Creek Sh.d. Golf Course 64,000 42,666 Restaurant 62,400 41,600 Trail 10,000 5,000 Living History Center 10,950 5,475 Other 1,000 500 San Fernando Aloe. Picnicking 32,550 10,850 Rec Swim 16,275 5,425 Trail 10,000 5,000 Community Eloents 3,000 750 Other 1,000 500 McClellan Road Nature Educational Programs 5,400 1,080 Trail 10,000 5,000 Santa Clara Valley Audubon 500 3,650 Community Gardens 120 5,475 Rolling Hills 4-H 60 2,920 Nature After School Classes 500 500 Other 2,000 1,000 ^'-"._..~~---,. ,....^"~ .~ .~>H._".__ "-~..- , _.~._-,._...,.-.,-,. Alternative Programs 1 1 San Fernando Aloe ISwimming Lessons 800 8,000 ICamp Programs 160 3,200 I , I McClellan Road INature Educational Preschool 40 4,400 I Scheduled Public Discussions - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI-- . January 6: + Discuss . . the proposed programming traffic generation access points +Give input to the traffic engineer to prepare for the February meeting · · · - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- - - -1jI- -- -1jI-- . February . Discussion of park circulation and east trail alignment west or . In a perfect world - Commission recommendation to Council regarding east or west trail alignment . March alignment .Council consideration of trail recommendation Exhibit to item 3.8. Review of proposed parking programming _ Stevens Creek Corridor Park Jan. 6, 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Deborah Jamison 21346 Rumford Drive Cupertino, CA 408-725-0424 voicelfax e-mail: ddjamison@comcast.net January 6, 2005 Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners, TRAFFIC GENERATION and ACCESS POINfS The plan for the Stevens Creek Trail is for it to be continuous from Stevens Creek Blvd. to Stevens Creek County Park. When and if this major regional recreational bicycle through trail to Stevens Creek County Park is completed, the Stevens Creek Blvd. parking lot, and to a lesser degree, the McClellan Ranch parking lot, will become major access points for mountain bikers wishing to travel up into the foothills. The County park parking lots cost $5,00 to park, or an annual parking pass fee. And they require further driving up the canyon, and are less convenient. The Stevens Creek Blvd. lot is right off of Hwy. 85, convenient to riders from all over the valley. Many will find it much preferable and pleasurable to park at Stevens Creek Blvd. and ride along a trail up into the county park and beyond. I cannot ernphasize to you enough how attractive this will be to the mountain biking population, which is a very large user group of trails in our foothills and mountains, once a through route to the county park is established. Does this mean we need to accomodate this regional use of the trail along with increased local residential uses with more parking spaces at both of these locations? I hope and pray not! I do not want to see any additional paving in this corridor. It's much too rare and precious. I do think that the Stevens Creek Blvd, lot can be better designed to accomodate more parking. We need to provide more parking here for use by the Center for Living History and for residents' trail usage. But I think the only solution to this looming problem of a regional attraction in future years is to not create a bicycle through trail here. Emphasis has been placed on how we want to convert Blackberry Farm from a facility used mostly by non-residents, to a quieter, less intensely used local park to be used primarily by our own Cupertino residents. But if a regional recreational amenity of a bicycle through trail is constructed through this corridor, we will be substituting one regional usage for another. This won't be so evident in the years that precede the connection to the county park. I predict that it will be an extremely popular trail for mauntain bikers once the trail connects to the foothills. To insist that a multi-use trail through this corridor will only be used by Cupertino families and kids is naive. It's putting your head in the sand. PROGRAMMING Environmental education is the secondary objective of McOellan Ranch. Given the plans for increasing the program opportunities at McOellan RAnch, great care must be taken to insure habitat protection and not introduce any other activities that are not part of McOellan Ranch's mission. Overuse is a real danger. Quote from Regulations and Guidelines for McOellan Ranch: "The very concept of a nature and rural preserve implies that, as much as possible, things should be left as they are - in their natural state. Yet, tlu! secondary objective of a nature and rural preserve is to provide the opportunityfor people to observe, study, and enjoy the preserved environment, which implies that there isa risk the environment 11UIy be damaged by the observers. Since these two concepts are basicalblilt odds with each other, regulations are necessary to preserve the natural environment during the use. " Regulations do exist for McOellan Ranch and are in effect today. A 10 foot wide trail with25 foot shoulders through McClellan Ranch will take up a total of 0.55 acres, which means that approximately (depending on the exact route) 3.5 % of the current acreage of the original McOellan Ranch (not including the east side portion but including the part of McOellan Ranch which is leased from the water district) will be removed from its current role and devoted to a new trail. 3.5% of our very small nature preserve will be devoted to a recreational activity that is todJ1'y prohibited by the mission and regulations for McClellan Ranch. If bicycling is not permitted, the trail from Blackberry Farm need not be much bigger than it is today, and can COnnect with the existing, perhaps upgraded, trails in McOellan Ranch, Also, bicycle trails generate unauthorized, illegal side trails and sometimes mogul areas for dirt bike recreationalists, which I will demonstrate to you at the next meeting with photographs of local multi-use trails, RESTORATION /MCCLELLAN RANCH "We need to define the restoration areas within MR" . The preferred concept plan available today shows no areas of restoration within McOellan Ranch, I would like to remind the Co'mrnissioners that the 1993 McClellan Ranch Master Plan outlines some habitat restoration projects: remove huge concrete blocks and debris from creek planting more native plants along creek corridor managing the meadow to favor native grasses and forbs We have been waiting a very long tirne for these restoration plans to get underway. In addition, we need to plan for restoring the west side of the creek. This has become even more important since the restoration efforts of the last few years have been totally obliterate under the roadbed and parking lot built for the McNair construction site, Thank you for your serious consideration of my views and warnings about the future usage of a bicycle through trail. Regards, ,ÆeÙv7~--1U