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21. Scenic Circle !~I I'~ /, _ ~T . F CUPEIQ1NO Parks and Recreation Department CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item Number ¿L Agenda Date: December 6, 2005 ISSUE Consider Scenic Circle access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park BACKGROUND Pursuant to Council direction, the Parks and Recreation Commission considered ways that automobile traffic into Stevens Creek Corridor Park might be reduced. One suggestion forwarded was levying a parking fee. The Commission considered this alternative and determined it would drive parking onto residential streets. The Commission instead recommended making pedestrian and bicycle access as convenient as possible, to lessen automobile traffic to the park. Historically, access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park from Scenic Circle has been through a hole cut into the chain link fence that the Nelson's erected around Blackberry Farm to keep non-paying customers out. The break in the fence was a problem for neighbors because it let after-hours trespassers into the park. Five years ago, a gate was installed that enabled the neighborhood to close the gate at night after opening it in the morning to walkers and children using the park as a shortcut to Monta Vista, Kennedy and Lincoln schools. The neighbors closed it at dark to keep illegal users out of the park. This pattern continued until January 2005 when the neighbors took unilateral action to chain the entrance. The City has not taken action to open the gate pending Council resolution of the issue. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the access point in a public meeting on July 7, 2005. The issue was whether to provide pedestrian and bicycle access from the neighborhood (Note: in July it was proposed that the gate be opened after the park is renovated). After hearing the residents' concerns, the Commission made recommendations regarding control of the access point for safety and security. The recommendation of the Commission regarding this access point was: 21~1 Printed on Recycled Paper December 6, 2005 Page 2 of9 (Copied from the approved minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission's July 7, 2005 regular meeting) Staffing (for the park) is seven days a week with a ranger position that affords both light maintenance work and enforcement capability; 84 hours a week on average Back-up from the Sheriff's Office Gates at both pedestrian accesses; open at 7 a.m., closed by 8 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier Close operations in 2007; reopen in 2008 by reservation only on weekends with controlled parking (this closure is for reconstruction of Blackberry Farm) Shuttled parking during those times when we expect overflow parking problems For theftrst two years of (picnic ground) operation, reservation only All customers will be notified of the change in park operation Parking spaces will be controlled Marketing of the facility will be as an environmental center Strictly a non-motorized access at Scenic Should summer weekends be a problem, the (Scenic) gate can be closed during that time Chairman Jelinch asked if opening the gate did not work out and crime statistics proved otherwise during a certain period of time, could they review it again. Director Smith said this stipulation could be added in. She asked the Commission if they would like to pick a trial period length. Commissioner Brown also stated that this would include the stipulation that the gate be closed at night and include the security patrol as presented, and at the end of a one-year period, data would be presented to the Commission and then forwarded to the City Council as appropriate. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously moved to have the gate access open (as stated above) on a one-year probation period and that the Commission will receive a report at the end of that time. This access would open after the park is improved and re-opened. Recently neighbors in the Scenic Circle neighborhood have circulated a petition regarding access to the park. 21-.,( December 6, 2005 Page 3 of9 The petition reads (scanned from original): Petition ,July 2005 To the Cupertino City Council Members We. the undersigned. arc appealing to the Cupertino City Council to not place an entrance at Scenic Circle to ßlackberry Farm or the planned Steven's Canyon Trail. Our legitimate opposition to such an entry point is based on serious concerns such as the following: I. Such an entry point would bring an endless parade of cars in,to the ncighborhood. 2. Scenic Circle would become a trailhead parking lot. 3. The congestion of trail users mixed with cars driving in and out ofthc neighborhood and cars competing for parking would negate safety and security for our families. 4. The reeurrence of disturbanees and crime that existed;(,ur neighborhood. 5. The serene setting and privacy of the neighborhood would be compromised. 6. Property values would signitìcantly decline. Over two hundred residents signed the petition. On October 6, the Scenic residents asked that Parks and Recreation Commission reconsider their recommendation to the City Council. The Commission agreed to do so on December I, 2005. Additional residents, including parents of school children, have come forward in support of the gate, which provides a safe route to school in children living west of the park. One parent who believes that the gate should be opened immediately submitted the attached photos. All of the photos were taken on the morning of November 16. Several neighbors have asked that the gate be reopened immediately. RECOMMENDATION Accept the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation for bike and pedestrian access from Scenic Circle. Determine whether the gate should be opened immediately or post -construction. Respectfully submitted: Approved for submission to City Council: /VL~ Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director Parks and Recreation Department ~ David W. Knapp, City Manager )(-] December 6, 2005 Page 4 of9 Students waiting for a break in the steady stream of traffic at McClellan and Mira Vista ....'{Æ~r, f... ·".;:?;lf~ /":Y'><>"': ¿'J ::·,·.··..,·::··,<t. '.;," ",:.",.,': , .<.. ," . ~-~, -""~>-..:.--'-- 2.[-l( December 6, 2005 Page 5 of9 Biker with mechanical problems near McClellan Ranch Park. No bike lane, no sidewalk. Biker in traffic on McClellan near Linda Vista Rd. ~.. 2\~ S- December 6, 2005 Page 6 of9 Mixed Traffic. Some cars try to avoid bikers by crossing the yellow lines. Or crowd bie de riders if there is oncomin traffic. ~/ .----- 21-(P December 6, 2005 Page 7 of9 No bike lane or paved shoulder. Student bicycle rider rides on gravel. Traffic approaching curve with bicycle rider. 21-7 December 6, 2005 Page 8 of9 Bicycle riders approaching sharp curve with traffic. 2\~Ò December 6, 2005 Page 9 of9 2\ ~7