Title
Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Master Plan - The Planning Board will be reviewing the conceptual plan and will provide comment.
Body
CITY OF ALAMEDA
Memorandum
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Amy Woolridge
Recreation and Park Director
Date: November 25, 2013
Re: Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Master Plan
BACKGROUND
The City of Alameda has a unique opportunity to plan and design a new community park at the 22-acre Jean Sweeney Open Space Park (Sweeney Park) located in the heart of the island. This site is the former Alameda Beltline Railroad property that was secured by the City at its original purchase price due the advocacy efforts of long-time resident Jean Sweeney. The property is bounded by Constitution Way, Atlantic Avenue, and Sherman Street.
In May 2013, the City Council approved six recreation use types for Sweeney Park following an extensive community input process. These include:
1. Walk and bike trails;
2. Natural open space;
3. Picnic areas;
4. Community gardens;
5. Natural playgrounds; and
6. Open lawn areas.
Planning Board member and architect, Kristoffer Köster of KKDesign, developed the draft Master Plan pro bono (Exhibit 1) and utilized the approved recreation use types as the design's foundation.
DISCUSSION
The Draft Master Plan conceptual design groups the more active uses on the outside edges of the property, with the quieter, more serene areas in the main central area. The Cross-Alameda Trail, a council-approved pedestrian and bicycle trail running the length of the Island, is located on the northern edge of the property, away from the neighborhoods. There will also be a tree buffer along the southern edge, to act as a natural sound barrier for the residential area. Parking lots are located on each side of the property, with 180 total spaces, in order to provide enough available space to draw all parking away from residential areas.
This draft plan provides for a wide variety of walking and biking trails. The Cross Alameda Trail, runs east/west and is a wide, paved trail that will have lighting 24/7 for commuters and safety. There is also a smaller walking/biking trail on the south side of the property. These two trails combine to offer a one-mile loop for bikers and walkers. Adjacent to this one-mile loop and separated by a 3-foot buffer, will be a bike skills track. This skills track, combined with the bike park on the west side of the park, provides a unique recreational opportunity and improves biking skills for both youth and adults. There are two north/south connectors to existing pathways in the Marina Village Business Park that link pedestrians to the Bay Trail and the Marina Village Shopping Center. There are also numerous pedestrian-only trails meandering throughout the urban forest, natural, and landscaped areas.
The more active east and west areas include a parking lot, restroom, and natural-based playground. On the east side, there is also a bike park. Also toward the eastern side, there is an area designed around an open lawn that includes a gazebo, covered picnic pavilion, and an outdoor classroom with in-ground stone seating. There will be no amplified sound allowed; however this area is available for community rental, such as for an outdoor wedding ceremony. It also provides seating space for classes from local schools and the College of Alameda who are studying the interpretive trails, botany and natural space. Picnic tables and benches are scattered throughout the property and along trails.
The center portion of the property includes a large urban forest, landscaped zen garden, and a frog pond. Pedestrian-only hiking trails meander throughout this area.
A 2-acre community garden is located on the far western side of the property. This will be a plot-based garden, based on the recommendation from the Alameda Point Collaborative's feasibility study. It may include up to 250 plots, a central gathering area, common tool sheds and compost areas. There will be collaborative efforts to provide fresh produce for distribution by the Alameda Food Bank.
Staff is seeking input on the draft Master Plan design from the Planning Board. This feedback will be compiled with feedback received from other City commissions and an online community survey. A final draft will then be brought before the Recreation and Park Commission and then City Council for final approval. Once the Master Plan conceptual design is approved, it will then serve as the road map for fundraising, final design and park development.
RECOMMENDATION
To review the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Master Plan and provide feedback that will be incorporated into the final draft design.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge
Recreation and Park Director
Exhibit:
1. Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Draft Master Plan