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1 City Council Item No. 6 RTC 26-290 Review and Adopt the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Adopt a Resolution Approving the PlanMay 5, 2026
SANTA CLARA PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN
PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT PLANMAY 5, 2026
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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS1.INTRODUCTION & EXECUTIVE SU MMARY2.S ANTA CLA RA TODA Y3.VI SION & PRIORITIES4.GOALS , OBJECTI VES & RECOMMENDATIONS5.REA LIZING OU R VI SION 0102030405 3
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3 WHY A PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN?• This Master Plan presents a comprehensive, long-term vision for the City’s park, recreation and open space network. • It will serve as a tool for:• Understanding community need• Settingpriorities• Directingfunding resources 5THE PROCESS
WE ARE HERE!
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4 7DEMOGRAPHICS
•Population growth heightens the need for strategic investment in parks and recreation so facilities keep pace with evolving community needs.•Santa Clara’s population is aging modestly, mirroring national trends, with age distribution expected to remain largely stable over the next 15 years.•Santa Clara has grown significantly more diverse, with the Asian population now the largest racial group at 49%.
Percent Youth (<18) Population 8
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5 SANTA CLARA’S PARKS & RECREATION SYSTEM
308Acres of Parkland5Regional Trail Corridors Community Centers3 9 10
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6 RECREATION PRIORITIES
Top 5 Priorities for Facilities/AmenitiesTop 5 Priorities for Programs/ActivitiesPRIORITY INVESTMENT RANKING = IMPORTANCE + UNMET NEED Note: These tables are showing the top five priorities for each category. See plan for full lists. 11GUIDING THEMES 12 11
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7 13OUR GOALS
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8 PARK ACCESS•Access gaps:Several neighborhoods lack parks within a 10-minute walk, particularly in older areas and growth corridors. •Planned Parks & Partnership: Combining planned parks and partnership with the school districts and/or HOAs sites can significantly improve access. 15PARK ACREAGE LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS)•Current LOS: 2.3 acres/1,000 residents•LOS goal: 3.0 acres per 1,000 residents, resulting in a projected 86-acre shortfall by 2035. This goal was developed in response to following key factors:•Meeting community access and amenity needs:Adding new park acreage in underserved areas of Santa Clara would improve access and contribute to an increased level of service.•Lower provision compared to peer communities: The current LOS of 2.3 acres per 1,000 residents is generally lower than national and local metrics, though direct comparisons are challenging.•Opportunities for Joint-Use: Incorporating school sites as joint-use facilities could provide up to 152 acres, which would exceed the acreage needed to achieve 3.0 acres per 1,000 residents. 15216
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9 PARK AMENITY LEVEL OF SERVICE 1 For agencies serving communities of between 100,000 and 250,000 residents. Source: National Recreation and Park Association, 2024. 2 Based on Statistically-Valid Survey conducted for Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Master Plan, 2024SCHOOL SITES INVENTORYADDITIONAL AMENITIES NEEDED IN 2035SERVICE STANDARD (pop. / amenity)PRIORITY INVEST RATING2NATIONAL AVERAGE LOS1(pop. / amenity)CURRENT LOS (pop. / amenity)CITY INVENTORYRECREATION AMENITY15513,500Low6,82122,8226Diamond Field1929,000Low18,5959,12015Multiuse Field2210,000MediumNA00Cricket Field160100,000Low9,7427,20719Basketball Court0128,500Medium19,88222,8226Pickleball Court2234,000Low8,5873,91235Dedicated Tennis Court0120,000Medium76,50919,5617Dog Park0275,000Low61,41800Splash Pad1424,250Low5,0004,14933Playground089,000Medium NA15,2159Reservable Picnic Area17PARK TYPE STANDARDSON-SITE PARKINGRESTROOMCOMFORT AMENITIESPICNIC AREASOPEN LAWNWALKING LOOPPLAYGROUNDSPECIAL RECREATION AMENITYACTIVE-USE AMENITYPARK TYPE•••••••••DESTINATION PARKSAcres: 20+ acresUse Duration: 1 to 4 hours•••••••••COMMUNITY PARKSAcres: 5 to 20 acresUse Duration: 1 to 3 hours••••••NEIGHBORHOOD PARKSAcres: 1 to 5 acresUse Duration: 1 to 2 hours••MINI PARKS & PLAZASAcres: 0.5 to 1 acreUse Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour•••SPECIAL USE PARKSAcres: VariableUse Duration: Variable•••••SPORTS PARKSAcres: 10 to 55 acresUse Duration: 1 to 4 hours•NATURAL AREAS & GREENWAYSAcres: 20+ acresUse Duration: 30 minutes to 3 hours• = Required 18 17 18
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10 SCHOOLS & JOINT-USE SITESSchool grounds are a key opportunity to meet the recreational needs in Santa Clara.•Joint use of ~152 acres of school grounds—fields, courts, and play areas—expands recreation without acquiring new land. •Clear access, fencing, and hours—paired with good site design and amenities—create welcoming and functional joint-use sites. 19NEWEXPANDREMODELADDEDSQ FT EXISTING SQ FTEXISTING FACILITIES10,00029,630Community/Recreation Center-3,800Reed & Grant Facility-7,000Youth Soccer Park-45,000Senior Center85,430 10,000Total SQ FTEXISTING SPECIAL USE FACILITIES-7,535Youth & Teen CenterPROPOSED FACILITIES21,620ProposedNorth Santa Clara Library & Rec Center40,000 -60,000 ProposedRecreation Facility w/ Gymnasium61,620-81,620Total SQ FTINDOOR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS• In 2025, Santa Clara had 0.67 square feet of indoor recreation facilities per resident, which is slightly below the national average of 0.75 SF.•Indoor track, community center, and indoor basketball/volleyball courts all ranked as high priorities in the statistically valid survey.• Many existing facilities have aged infrastructure and need repair and refurbishment. Indoor Facility NeedsRecommendations for Key Indoor Facilities• Santa Clara has5 key indoor recreation facilities(see table). • There are also 9 smaller reservable park buildings (with one additional planned) that help meet facility needs;Existing Facilities20 19 20
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11 AQUATIC RECOMMENDATIONSDevelop an Aquatic Strategy Considering:Proposed Aquatic Facility Distribution •Improved ISC: Improve existing facilities with all necessary maintenance issues and upgrades addressed. •New Warburton Aquatic Facility: Reimagined as a family-friendly aquatic facility with a consolidated pool and other aquatic elements such as water play features. •New North Aquatic Center: Envisioned to have 2 recreation pools and potentially include elements like splash pads and water play features. •Existing Senior Center Pools: Existing aquatic facilities would remain as is with any necessary maintenance issues and upgrades addressed. •Phase-Out Montague and Mary Gomez Pools: Reevaluate these sites and consider phasing them out. 21PROGRAMMING RECOMMENDATIONS •Increase Participation:Create strategies to expand participation from all geographical areas. •Expand Programs: Prioritizehigh-demand offerings and reduce low-interest programs, ensuring resources are focused where they will have the greatest impact. •Program Evaluation Tools: Pre- and post-program tools should be developed and utilized to evaluate program quality and success. •Time Offerings of Programs: Survey residents to determine the best time offerings and adjust accordingly. •Marketing: Develop a formal marketing program that aligns with how residents would like to receive information.•Partnerships: Develop and implement a formal partnership policy to guide updates to existing agreements.22 21 22
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12 MAINTENANCE & SUSTAINABILITY RECOMMENDATIONS•Community-Aligned Work Plans: Align maintenance activities with both community satisfaction and priority.•Asset Management: Implement a system to track maintenance, prevent breakdowns, and capture actual costs of work performed.•Data Mobility: Provide staff with mobile tools to access and update maintenance information in the field•Minimize Unproductive Time: Analyze worker time for efficiency, including travel and idle time.•Equipment Investment: Invest in new equipment as the park system grows. •Cost-Reduction Strategies: Lower expenditures through volunteer programs and operational partnerships.•Construction Project Oversight: Hire project managers to manage bond-funded and ongoing lifecycle replacement projects.•Staffing Evaluation: Assess hiring and retention practices and implement improvements to strengthen the workforce.23 24 23
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13 ACTION PLANThe Action Plan prioritizes recommendations, estimates costs, and provides a phased roadmap for implementation.Key Ongoing Projects (1-11+ years)• Complete planned ISC improvements.• Develop an aquatics strategy for the future.• Implement high-priority program needs (fitness, outdoor recreation, swim lessons, etc.). *• Provide deficient high-priority amenities in new parks, existing parks, or through joint-use agreements. *• Reevaluate and establish sustainable funding sources for maintenance, operations, and lifecycle improvements to address deferred maintenance.• Establish a clear vision, plan, develop and operate 35-acre new park in north Santa Clara.•Improve existing parks through continued implementation of the Kitchell Report and increasing park comfort through increased shade, seating, and other amenities. •Plant treesto provide shade in existing parks• Develop and operate planned Citywide trail network.• Obtain land for 86 acres of additional parkland through acquisition, future development, or joint-use agreements, prioritizing park access gaps. • Develop community partnerships to support programs & events.Key Short-Term Projects (1-5 years) * Project spans two phases25ACTION PLANThe Action Plan prioritizes recommendations, estimates costs, and provides a phased roadmap for implementation.• Provide deficient high-priority amenities in new parks, existing parks, or through joint-use agreements.*• Implement high-priority program needs (fitness, outdoor recreation, swim lessons, etc.).*•Remodel the Senior Center•Remodel/expand the Community Recreation Center*• Construct the proposed North Santa Clara Library/Recreation Center.*• Construct the proposed recreation center with gymnasium. *•Remodel/expand Community Recreation Center*• Construct proposed North Santa Clara Library/Recreation Center.*• Construct proposed recreation center with gymnasium.* •Develop and operate 86 acres of additional parkland, prioritizing park access gaps. Key Mid-Term Projects (6-10 years)Key Long-Term Projects (11+ years) * Project spans two phases26 25 26
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14 COSTSEstimated Cost Per Phase•Planning-Level Estimates: Order-of-magnitude ranges for both capital investment and annual operating cost increases.•High-Cost Categories:•New Park Acquisition:$194–$259M (~30% of total)•New Park Development:$165–$241M•Indoor Recreation Facilities: $152–$192M•Improving Existing Parks: $43–63M•Aquatic Improvements: $25–$46M•Citywide Trails: $39–$50M •Reduced Costs Through Partnerships: Joint-use agreements and developer contributions can significantly offset City costs•2024 Bond Funding: A portion of these costs are already planned to be covered by 2024 bond funds.Short-Term (1-5 years): •Estimated Capital Cost: $185M-260M •Estimated Annual Operational Cost: $650K-1.2MMid-Term (6-10 years): •Estimated Capital Cost: $248M-327M•Estimated Annual Operational Cost: $1.2M-2.0M Long Term (11+ years): •Estimated Capital Cost: $185M-263M •Estimated Annual Operational Cost: $2.2M-4.1M 27FUNDING STRATEGYCurrent Funding MechanismsCurrent & Potential Funding Sources•Tax Support• Property Taxes*• Sales or Hospitality Taxes• Special Districts•Development• Parkland Dedication and Impact Fees*•Grants• Federal Programs*• State Programs*• Regional & County Opportunities*• Local Utilities & Rebates*•General Fund•Quimby Act Fees•Park Mitigation Fee Act (MFA)•Capital Projects Reserve•Bonds•User Fees• Recreation Service Fees*• Ticket Sales & Admissions*• Special Use Permits*• Reservations & Equipment Rental*•External Partnerships & Community Support• Corporate Sponsorships• Partnerships & Agreements*• Private Donations & Friends Groups• Volunteerism•Franchises & Licenses• Naming Rights• Utility Easements* Indicates strategies used by the City to fund parks and recreation in recent years.28 27 28
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15 RECOMMENDATION:City Council is asked to:Review and Considerthe Parks & Recreation Master Plan; andAdopta Resolution Approving the Plan March 9, 2026Note: the Parks & Recreation Commission recommended approval on March 9, 2026 (6-0 vote)2929