DATE:
April 19, 2022
TO:
Christine Daniel, City Manager
FROM:
Pedro Jimenez, Parks and Recreation Committee
SUBJECT:
Parks and Recreation Committee’s Annual Report On Committee Goals, Principles And Accomplishments For Calendar Year 2021; And Proposed Committee Priorities For Calendar Year 2022 Committee Goals and Principles
The Parks and Recreation Committee advises on the improvement and maintenance of parks and green spaces, and the facilitation of recreation programs for the community. We strive to foster improved access for all Emeryville residents to park space, increased recreational opportunities for the local community, and the improved variety and quality of park and recreation experiences in Emeryville. Additionally, given the City’s Climate Action Plan, the City must anticipate how current parklands may be affected by rising sea levels and we advise on how to plan in anticipation of this.
Accomplishments for Calendar Year 2021
Reviewed proposed Public Open Space for the Atrium Longfellow PUD Mixed Use Project Continue Reviewed design concepts for potential use for the Village Greens Project Provided feedback and prioritization of the CIP regarding parks Provided input for beach improvements at Shorebird Park Discussions started for other possible uses of East Shore Park Provided input for Marina Park and possible playground and input on Stanford Park and plans for future community meetings Discussion of other possible locations and use for parks and public spaces (i.e., rooftops and parking garages) Provided input to update City Maps of parks and facilities Recommended to consider Stanford Park and Beaudry St. closure under Village Green Project Recommended for City to Consider Nature Play Areas for City Playgrounds Recommended traffic calming measure near City parks
Top Priorities for Calendar Year 2022
Expansion of park spaces in Emeryville with the goal of improving the ratio of park acres to residents and other users.
Identify or explore funding mechanisms for existing and future nontraditional infrastructures i.e., park spaces including rooftop spaces and garages.
Prioritize safe modes of sustainable transportation and access to parks for all ages and mobilities Continue to prioritize and advocate for CIP Projects that include new and expanded park spaces and improve and maintain existing park spaces, with emphasis on the proposed Village Greens Project Continue to increase awareness of available parks and open spaces including privately owned public open spaces by creating better maps and signage and other efforts Continue to evaluate and update Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan Advise the Community Services Department on events and programming Continue explore potential improvements at Stanford, Marina and East Shore Parks Continue to explore and advocate for nature play opportunities, identifying specific ways to include nature play in City policies and plans First Highlighted Priority
Prioritize and advocate for CIP Projects that improve and maintain existing park spaces.
The Committee also wants to identify new opportunities for park expansions and improvements for prioritization in the CIP.
Second Highlighted Priority
Continue to evaluate and update the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan which was finalized in 2011. Since then, several projects have been completed while the needs of the community have changed. Our goal is to evaluate how the Strategic Plan has been implemented thus far as well as provide recommendations for future changes. Among these recommendations is considering at how park space can be more evenly distributed throughout the city.
Conclusion
Continue to emphasize that, as the population of Emeryville increases, the city needs to identify funding options and partnerships for expansion of our park system. Identifying new park space will be crucial to meet these needs.
PREPARED BY: Pedro Jimenez, Community Services Director Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Christine Daniel, City Manager
Parks and Recreation Committee Annual Report
City Council Meeting | April 19, 2022
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM