Proposed Fiscal Year 2026/2027
Parks & Recreation Commission Workplan
Background
At the August 10, 2026, Regular Meeting, the Parks & Recreation Commission adopted the following Workplan Goals for FY 2026/27:
Attend and visit city-wide special events, activities, parks, and facilities to inform Parks & Recreation Commission recommendations to City Council.
Conduct an annual review of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan implementation.
Review the annual Parks & Recreation budget, programs and services outcomes, and where applicable, provide recommendations to the City Council.
Collaborate on Parks & Recreation Commission By-Laws, with goal of adoption by June 2027.
Current Membership – Parks & Recreation Commission
Name
Appointed
Term Ends
Edward Souza
06/16/26 (30)
2030
Maureen Riley Chu
05/16/22 (30)
2030
Eversley Forte
08/26/19 (27)
2027
Sukrit Ganesh
07/13/26 (30)
2030
Vikas Gupta
07/17/23 (27)
2027
Dana Caldwell
appointed to serve a partial term
05/27/21 (28)
2028
Derek DeMarco
05/14/24 (27)
2027
Purpose, Role and Duties of Parks & Recreation Commission:
The City of Santa Clara charter includes the following sections that mandate the formation of a Parks & Recreation Commission and its role.
Sec. 1008 Parks & Recreation Commission.
There shall be a City Parks & Recreation Commission consisting of seven members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government.
Sec. 1009 Parks & Recreation Commission – Powers and duties (Mission).
The Parks & Recreation Commission shall have power and be required to:
(a) Act in advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks, recreation, playgrounds, and entertainment; (b) Consider the annual budget of the Parks & Recreation Department during the process of its preparation and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Manager and the City Council; and (c) Assist in the planning and supervision of a recreation program for the inhabitants of the City, promote and stimulate public interest therein and to that end, solicit to the fullest extent possible the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein. (Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000).