STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of September 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: Update on the Hercules Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan and Draft Recommendations RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Receive a report from staff regarding the status of the Park System Master Plan Discuss and provide direction on draft project recommendations and project priorities if any.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Hercules Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan, which began in November of 2022, uses a four-phased approach to assess, evaluate, and make recommendations for Hercules’ parks and recreation system. When completed, the Master Plan will support fiscal sustainability by creating an investment strategy for priority park improvements, facility enhancements, and other new park development.
An assessment of the condition of the Hercules park system and community outreach to identify park needs has been completed. An evaluation of overarching park system priorities is currently underway.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
The last decade has been challenging financially for the City. During this time, capital maintenance in parks was deferred and only the most pressing repairs were made on a pay-as-you-go, annual basis. As a result, the parks in Hercules are showing their age and wear and tear, which has accumulated over time. Additionally, trends in parks and facilities usage have changed, as can be seen by the increase in popularity of pickleball. Much of this demand is driven by demographics, which has also changed over the past decade. In recent public meetings, it has been voiced that the younger population needs more recreational opportunities in Hercules. Given the gradual financial recovery of the City and one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the City Council authorized the development of a Parks Master Plan. The Parks Master Plan will provide the information for the City that is needed to take a proactive approach over the next decade in addressing aging park facilities, responding to the need for inclusive parks, and anticipating the future recreation needs of the community. It will capture the infrastructure and facility needs as well as community priorities for the future. This information will support informed discussion and decision-making related to park needs and opportunities. This will allow the City to strategically allocate resources and leverage grant opportunities to ensure the needs of the community are met in the future.
The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss input received from the public and project Steering Committee during the community engagement process of the Master Pan, provide a high-level overview of the preliminary recommendations, and get Council feedback on priority projects.
FISCAL IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATION:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this update presentation.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Hercules PRFMP Council Update & Draft Recommendations
2. Hercules PRFMP City Council Update Presentation