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Presentations Parks and Recreation, Bicycle Pedestrian, and Sustainability Commissions Special Joint Meeting September 8, 2022 Presentations Item 1 Consider an update on Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Work Program item regarding the Blackberry Farm Golf Course Needs Assessment Joint Commission Meeting September 8, 2022 | 6:30 –8:00 pm Blackberry Farm Golf Course Future Use Options Introductions City of Cupertino •Lisa Cameli –Project Manager •Susan Michael –Capital Improvement Program Manager •Jenny Koverman –Recreation Supervisor Consultants •Jeff Danner –NGF Consulting –Golf Course Feasibility Study •Taylor Peterson –MIG Consulting –Natural Habitat Feasibility Study •Alicia Fennell –Cascadia Consulting Group –Engagement Overview •Background •Current Issues •Option A -Minor Repairs and Improvements Study –NGF •Option B -Convert to Natural Habitat Study –MIG •Comparative Cost Analysis •Community Engagement •Questions Site Location Background •Constructed in 1962 •City owned and operated since1991 •Entire site approximately 16 Acres •12.5 acres are irrigated. •Well water was used for irrigation until 2003. •Currently, irrigation source is municipal potable water with average annual cost of $63,000. Background •Adjacent to Stevens Creek and riparian corridor •Corridor contains special-status plants and protected wildlife species •Golf Course is within a designated floodplain •Average 28,000 rounds annually (pre-Covid) o Cupertino residents account for 39% of rounds •Annual average subsidy is $272,000 (pre-Covid) Current Issues •Irrigation System is over 60 years old •Frequent leaks and pipe failures which waste high quantities of water and is costly •Antiquated, inefficient system •Drought-related water restrictions may drive future water use and increase costs. •Safety Concerns •Some improvements for ADA access needed. •Risk associated with errant balls hit outside of fairway. Why Consider Alternative Uses? Parks and Recreation System Master Plan •Evaluate the benefit prior to doing a like-for-like replacement •Avoid replacing failing amenities without reviewing current needs •Increase ecological value along Stevens Creek Corridor Stevens Creek Corridor Master Planning Process •Public interest in exploring alternative uses. Future Use Options •Option A –Complete Minor Repairs and Improvements for the Golf Course -NGF •Option B –Convert Golf Course to Natural Habitat -MIG Option A Blackberry Farm Golf Course Minor Repairs and Improvements NGF Feasibility Study •Replace all tees, greens, and convert ponds to low-land landscaping •Address primary golf course safety issues •Replace irrigation system Minor Repairs and Improvements Water Use Analysis –Historic Irrigation Practices Note: Water-use restrictions put in place in 2014. In 2014 City reduced total acreage being irrigated and implemented improved control system of individual sprinkler heads. Water Use Analysis –New Irrigation System Benefits •Continued use of a long-standing recreational resource for the community. •Improve playability of the course. •Improvements to irrigation system will increase efficiency and effectiveness of watering the course. •Maintains existing City operational workload. Option B Blackberry Farm Golf Course Natural Habitat Restoration MIG Feasibility Study Natural Habitat Restoration •Converts the Golf Course to native oak woodland and grassland plant communities (historic habitats) •Riparian regeneration zone along Stevens Creek •Bioswale Planting of existing ponds •Habitat Islands •Wildflower Meadows •Existing Redwoods would remain •Development of trails and amenities for public enjoyment •Addition of 35-40 parking spaces to southern parking lot •Current report provides only a conceptual design and does not represent a proposed design direction. •Integrate natural landscapes in the urban environment •Reduce irrigation water demand to less than 10% of that used for Golf Course •Environmental education opportunities •Stronger connection with nature within an urban setting •Provide essential habitat corridors to ensure the survival of native species in a human-dominated landscape Natural Habitat Restoration Benefits Natural Habitat Restoration Existing Golf Course Oak Woodland with Trails Habitat Islands Habitat Island -ImmatureExisting Golf Course Wildflower Meadow Habitat Island Comparative Costs 25 Year Outlook Comparative Costs Community Engagement Overview & Findings •Ongoing: Engage Cupertino website •May: Citywide distribution of informational postcards •May 18: Parks and Recreation Commission meeting •May 25: Launch online survey •June 6: Virtual community meeting •June 11 & July 11: Open house events •July 7: Pop-up event at summer concert series at Memorial Park •July 15: Online survey closes Community Engagement Process •July/August: Analyzed survey results and public input •September: Present findings at joint commission meeting and receive recommendations. •October/November: Present findings to City Council and seek recommendations Community Engagement Process •14 questions (9 required, 5 optional) •4,023 responses •Cupertino residents = 2,535 responses (63%) •Non-residents =1,488 (37%) •Methodology •Reviewed duplicate IP addresses •Removed 4 duplicate responses (<0.1% of total responses) Survey Overview Overall Option Preference All Respondents (n = 4,023) Cupertino Residents (n = 2,535) Option Preference by Distance from Site More Than 5 Miles (n = 697) 5 or Less Miles (n = 3,326) Age Group by Option Preference Golf Course (n = 2,081) Natural Habitat (n = 1,942) Future Use Frequency Natural Habitat (n = 4,023) Golf Course (n = 4,023) QUESTIONS? THANK YOU!