Title
Update Report on Jean Sweeney Open Space Park (15 minutes)
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To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Update Report on Jean Sweeney Open Space Park.
BACKGROUND
The Jean Sweeney Open Space Park (Sweeney Park) is a 27-acre park bounded by Constitution Way, Atlantic Avenue, and Sherman Street. The site is the former Alameda Beltline Railroad property that was secured by the City of Alameda at its original purchase price due the advocacy efforts of long-time resident Jean Sweeney.
On July 5, 2016, the City Council approved the design development of Sweeney Park, which included detailed design, strategies and prominent features.
DISCUSSION
Sweeney Park was designed to be constructed in four phases due to funding. The first phase of construction was the Cross Alameda Trail, an off-street bicycle and pedestrian trail that meanders through the park from east to west. This construction was completed and the City Council accepted the work on March 19, 2018.
The second phase of construction is the eastern 8-acres near Sherman Street, which includes a natural playground, parking lot, restroom, open lawn, large picnic pavilion and smaller picnic areas throughout. This construction is planned for completion in October 2018. Sweeney Park is now at an exciting phase of construction. All of the grading and below ground utility work is completed and construction is now moving above ground. The restroom building is in place, concrete is being poured and the parking lot is being compacted. Soon we will see construction of the plaza, playground components, boulder and log placement, the picnic pavilion, landscaping and more. It's often difficult for residents to see the construction occurring due to the large berm between the park entry at Sherman Street and the playground area, which was an intentional part of the design to create a sense of place from within the park....
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