TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Jon Cicirelli
SUBJECT: Family Camp: Closure for
Capital Repairs
DATE: March 4, 2025
Approved Date:
3/4/25
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) will close San José Family Camp (Family Camp) for the 2025 season to conduct necessary repairs and improvements to the facility.
BACKGROUND
The Family Camp at Yosemite facility is located on federal United States Forest Service land in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, between the town of Groveland and Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County. Family Camp has 65 wood-framed canvas-covered platform-tents scattered among the pines and oak trees along the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River. Camp amenities include an amphitheater, archery range, group campfire ring, gift shop, laundry facilities, nature kiosk, patio and deck area, a large turf playfield, restrooms, showers, service buildings, a tot play area, and a designated swimming zone in the Tuolumne River.
Heavy rains from multiple storms, as far back as 2017, have caused significant damage to specific areas of Family Camp, including the rock revetment wall within the beach and “pool” area and the playground. The existing play structure and a wooden “Fort” were damaged beyond repair, along with a concrete retaining wall enclosing the play area. PRNS has since coordinated with other City departments, FEMA, and other external regulatory agencies to plan repairs.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 24, 2025
Subject: Family Camp: Closure for Capital Repairs
ANALYSIS
Family Camp will not open in 2025 while it undergoes repair from past winter storms.
After years of careful planning and coordinating with external regulatory agencies, the City has identified the funding, secured the necessary federal permits, and procured contractors to update camp amenities, including renovations to the historic pool, playground, and other areas damaged by winter storms. The scope of repair work will include demolition, mobilization, grading and drainage, paving, renovation of the playground, installation of a prefabricated shade structure and decking, concrete retaining walls, site furnishings, and re-construction of the revetment rock stone wall. In addition, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades are required as part of this project. New Americans with Disabilities Act accessible pathways, upgrades to the existing parking lot, and accessibility upgrades leading to fort, beach areas, and existing pavement will be included as part of the scope of work. Due to the scope of this work, especially within the river channel, construction can only begin in late spring, take place during the summer and must be completed in the fall. This scope prohibits public use of the facility during construction.
While the facility is closed, staff will also complete other maintenance and beautification projects, revamp programming and prepare for an enthusiastic staff recruitment and a public marketing campaign ahead of the 2026 season. PRNS plans to re-open Family Camp in 2026 with an improved facility that is more accessible and inclusive and provides a better guest experience.
PRNS will present a Family Camp Status Report to the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 5, 2025 and to the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee on March 13, 2025.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
/s/
Jon Cicirelli
Director of Parks, Recreation
and Neighborhood Services
For questions, please contact Shannon Heimer, Division Manager, PRNS, at [email protected] or (408)608-9670.