From: Harmony H Anderson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 3:53 PM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Request for further community input on Orinda Community Park designs Dear City Clerk Fockler,
Please share this email with the City Council as public comment regarding the proposed Orinda Community Park designs.
As an Orinda resident and parent of young children, I respectfully ask the Council to hold off on approving either current design as presented. I would love to see staff work with residents on a stronger third alternative that incorporates more natural, kid-friendly, and sustainable play structures and materials.
This is an opportunity to create a space that reflects Orinda’s natural surroundings and encourages imaginative, open-ended play. I would welcome a concept that incorporates organic forms, natural materials, and opportunities for children to climb, balance, explore, and interact with nature, while prioritizing accessibility, safety, durability, and long-term maintenance.
Our community park is an important gathering place for local families. Taking additional time to collaborate with residents would help ensure this investment serves our children and community well for years to come.
Please direct staff to develop this alternative with resident input and bring the revised concept back for public review before a final decision, equipment order, or construction authorization.
Thank you for considering this request and for your work on behalf of our community! :) Harmony Anderson
Orinda Resident
(913)314-6450
Sent via Superhuman
From: fraoch2flur <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 3:48 PM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Orinda Park Redesign
Dear City Council,
I am emailing about the Orinda Park proposed plans to share my perspective as a parent and longtime Orinda resident since I am unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
I grew up in Orinda, attended TOPS, was the first class at Wagner Ranch in 1997, spent endless hours at the Orinda Park, and now both my boys (5yo and 3yo) are frequently there.
After giving feedback to the city in their plans back at the beginning of summer I’m disappointed in the proposed plans as it appears none of the concerns about shade, water play, and natural materials brought up by parents were addressed.
I would love to see the City genuinely listen to and work with the families who use this park, especially since so much previous community input does not seem reflected in the current design. Please move away from a cookie-cutter playground that relies heavily on plastic, artificial materials, and instead create something natural, imaginative, and uniquely Orinda. Keep the sandbox, incorporate water play, and above all, provide plenty of shade! This is an opportunity to make Orinda Community Park magical, a beautiful, creative place families want to spend time in, not another hot, artificial playground.
Thank you,
Heather Barrett
Sent from my iPhone
From: Nick Stone Schearer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 6:17 PM
To: Joelle Fockler <[email protected]>
Subject: Comment on Agenda K-1
Hi Justine,
Thank you for taking this comment, as I'm unable to attend tonight's meeting in person. My comment for Agenda Item K-1, regarding the Orinda Community Park playground, is as follows:
________
Councilmembers and neighbors, I'm thrilled that Orinda is investing in our park and truly appreciate all of the unseen work that's gone into planning thus far. I'm writing simply in support of deeper community involvement and the consideration of an alternative design path than the two currently proposed.
I urge the council to be open and patient regarding the concerns and opinions shared by our neighbors tonight and recognize that they come from a place of shared passion and purpose. I have no doubt that if harnessed, this energy can help create the future space that our kids deserve and our community can be proud of.
Thank you.
_________
Thanks again,
Nick
Nick Stone Schearer
[email protected]
914 953 6376