Title
Recommendation to Approve Naming the Group Picnic Pavilion at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park the Rotary Pavilion
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Recommendation to Approve Naming the Group Picnic Pavilion at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park the Rotary Pavilion.
BACKGROUND
The Jean Sweeney Open Space Park (Sweeney Park) is a 27-acre park located between Atlantic Avenue, Constitution Avenue and Sherman Street. The detailed design of the park is almost complete and includes playgrounds, bicycle and pedestrian trails, natural open space, a community garden and demonstration garden, a variety of amenities, plus small and group picnic areas. The primary picnic area is located on the east side of the park in what is called the Community Gathering Area (Exhibit 1).
DISCUSSION
Jean Sweeney was an active member of the Alameda Rotary Club (Rotary). Rotary approached the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) with an interest in funding the construction of the group picnic pavilion at Sweeney Park. The Rotarians have voted and confirmed that the Rotary Club will donate $100,000 to construction the group picnic pavilion. Staff is finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with Rotary that provides a framework for the donation. This includes an opportunity for Rotary to reserve, at no cost, the picnic pavilion for three times per year; payment of $100,000 to the City in equal installments over a five year period; and staff will identify volunteer opportunities for Rotarians at the park.
This collaboration and donation from Rotary includes a recognition feature on the group picnic pavilion structure. Rotary will appoint a committee to work with staff to design this recognition feature. It will name the picnic structure, Rotary Pavilion. The Rotary logo may be included on the recognition feature.
Per the 2007 City Council authorized policy for naming City property, facilities and streets, this is project is allowable under the criteria for a name that recognizes the donor of a significant gift of funds for a City facility.
Staff recommends naming the group picnic structure at Sweeney Park, Rotary Pavilion and including permanent signage with the name and possibly the Rotary logo as a way to recognize their donation to Sweeney Park. The final design of the recognition feature will be brought to the Recreation and Parks Commission for approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of the pavilion construction is $130,000. Acceptance of the $100,000 donation will pay for most of the cost of the construction. The remainder of the pavilion construction as well as cost of the park construction will be funded by the state grant and developer contributions. The $100,000 donation will be received over a five-year period and recoded in the Capital Improvement Program Budget, Jean Sweeney Open Space Park 91309.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation to approve naming the group picnic pavilion at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park the Rotary Pavilion.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Exhibits:
1. Picnic Pavilion Location and Detail