body,date,page,text,path
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,1,"ALAMEDA RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION
MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING
DATE:
Thursday, September 12, 2019
TIME:
7:10 p.m. Called to Order
PLACE:
City Hall Council Chambers
A video recording of the meeting may be viewed at https:llalameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
The following are action minutes in keeping with the Sunshine Ordinance 2-91.17.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Limoges, Vice Chair Alexander, Commissioner Robbins and Commissioner Barnes
Absent: Commissioner Navarro
Staff: Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) Director Amy Wooldridge
Chair Limoges proposed to hear items 7-B and 7-C prior to 7-A. All Commissioners were in
agreement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Robbins moved to accept the minutes of June 13, 2019 Regular Meeting as presented.
M/S Commissioner Robbins / Vice Chair Alexander. All in favor with a 3 ayes.
WRITTEN AND ORAL COMUNICATIONS
Written Communication
Oral Communication
REPORTS FROM THE RECREATION AND PARK DIRECTOR
ARPD Director Amy Wooldridge gave the report. (See Exhibit 1)
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Robbins:
Alex & Dennis did a great job again with the Annual Alameda Tennis Tournament with over
156 entrants, largest yet this year. Very well organized with t-shirts and food available to
participants/audience.
Great to see replacing of tennis court lights at.
While at Sweeney park spoke with parents at the playground. They said this was the best
kid's playground because their 9 year old and 5 year old had equipment to play with. They
often go to Walnut Creek to Heather Farms for the kids to play because A) Heather Farms has
3 levels / different playgrounds next to each other so their kids of different ages can play at
length and B) They have large plastic shade umbrella's for the parents to sit under while the
kids play C) She said the one thing lacking at all of our parks for playgrounds is adequate
shaded sitting for parents while their kids play.
Bike for the Parks is coming up, don't forget to sign up!
1",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,2,"Commissioner Barnes:
Happy families at Paden using the RAP program, including Kindergarten
Other programs advertise at the Incoming Parent Orientation in January
Went to Lincoln Park and its beautiful
Timeline for new magnolia tree at Littlejohn Park
Excited Woodstock Park playground will re-open soon
Recreation and Park Commission float in next year's July 4th Parade
Vice Chair Alexander:
Took the Alameda Walk to the USS Hornet.
Attended Jackson Park community meeting. Very thoughtful meeting.
Attended two Starlight in the Movies. Great event and would like to commend Shawn and his
staff.
Went to Tillman Park to watch the t-shirt baseball league game. Staff was wonderful.
Took a tour of the Corica Park South Course, well done.
Lincoln Park fence looks great.
Took several trips to Krusi Park. When is building being demolished? Answer: Will get back to
you.
Has any work been done on the Alameda Point Campground? Answer: Bringing the Master
Plan process to the Commission in November.
Would like to see an article at least once a month about ARPD in the Sun and Journal.
Chair Limoges:
Has marched in the 4th of July parade for 7 years with the Alameda Backyard Growers.
Attended Jackson Park meeting and was interested to hear level and variety of comments.
Attended Annual City Swim Meet in August, fun event.
Took a training with the City of Alameda about procedures and transparency and the Sunshine
Ordinance.
Attended the groundbreaking for the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal
Attended EBRPD meetings about banning the pesticide Roundup. Would like to see it
agendized.
7-B Presentation on Carnegie Innovation Hall and the adjoining Foster House by Michael Sturtz
which included history, intended use of the space and design concept. See Exhibit 2.
7-C Review Options and Provide Direction on a Jackson Park Natural Play Area.
ARPD Director Wooldridge gave the report which included the background, neighborhood
meeting compiled comments and presented ideas and cost effective options for natural play
space. See exhibit #3 for neighbors input.
Speakers
Grace Rubenstein - Parent who lives on Park Ave. across from the park. Take all of
these issues - traffic, noise - very seriously. Would love to see a play area there if
done right. A huge benefit to knit the neighborhood closer together. Saw a small
gathering area in Tahoe with seating and people gathered at night to talk. Improving
pathway should come first as well. Seating as a perimeter is a brilliant idea. Would
vote for a little slide. Kids love slides.
2",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,3,"Gary Cates - Lives at 1250 Park Avenue since 1974 and is opposed to a playground.
Read a letter that is included in public comment letters, exhibit #3.
Steve Aced - Board of Alameda Architectural Preservation Society advocates that
natural environment be preserved and the addition of swings and slides is counter to
that. Keep is as originally intended.
Jim Lott - Live at 1193 Park Ave. across from the park. Opposed to the playground
concept. A precious, narrow green space. Playground isn't a good fit for it.
Lisa Klofkorn (handout attached) - Raised children in this neighborhood. A traditional
playground that's fenced in doesn't fit in this park. The busy streets, poor condition of
trees and asphalt all pose hazards. The survey heard by the Commission at previous
meeting is skewed and inaccurate. Sign in sheet didn't ask for addresses of those
attending neighborhood meeting. It was apparent that several people attending are
from outside the immediate neighborhood, such as on Crist St. Map attached that
shows overwhelming opposition from immediate neighborhood.
Betsy Mathieson - Lived at 1185 Park Ave. for 19 years. Cool green space grows more
important as Alameda grows. Jackson Park used to have more gathering places, such
as picnic tables. Some have been removed to discourage loitering. Hope to
recommend against installing a playground of any type. If do, it should be low profile,
free of nooks and crannies, and easy to inspect for hazardous trash such as needles. If
want a fenced playground, take kids to Edison playground, Lincoln or Krusi.
Cybelle Kelley-Whitley - Lives in neighborhood for over 19 years. Kids grew up riding
scooters, playing ball. Against having a playground at the park for reasons stated
previously. Money should be spent on other issues, such as bandstand, trees, and
sidewalks.
Denise Nowicki - Lives on Park Ave. across from Jackson Park. People who live
across from park are most impacted and weren't included in original survey. Many uses
during the day - people sitting on lawns, picnicking at tables, moms' groups, dog
training. People do value the park for what it is and what it was designed to be. Raised
their daughter at that park and not every park needs to be like the others with the same
amenities. Ask to honor how Jackson Park is now.
Kevin Vinkiteswaran - Lives 5 blocks away with two small children. Like the focus on
activation of the park. More people using it more regularly would be good to discourage
activities that we don't want such as litter, people inebriated and sleeping on the grass.
Wants to go to a park that builds community of all ages. Thrilled with something more
natural to complement spirit of the park.
Charlise Tiee - 2058 Park Ave. with small children. Parking is so difficult in the
neighborhood and don't want to move the car so walk to Lincoln Park or Krusi Park but
it's a long walk that takes a lot of time. Would love to take them to Jackson Park but
there's a homeless guy who sleeps in the park daily which is not most inviting thing.
Great need for us to have a playground. Lincoln Park was so crowded this summer.
Would be great to take them somewhere safe and nice.
Amanda LaThanh - Live on Park Ave. across from the big picnic bench. Thanks for
ideas on natural playground. A lot of parents can't be here who emailed and voiced
their opinion. Don't want to make it so tiny that it isn't used. Like the idea of the large
frog since the park was originally dedicated to animals. Playground is great idea to
activate the park. We should value history and also value those who live today and
what they are asking for. Advocate for more funding for lighting and pavement.
3",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,4,"Tim Martin - Lives on Bay Farm. Represent an Alamedan who comes to Park Street
with small children every Friday. When kids want to play, have to walk all the way to
Edison and back, which is a long way. Don't park at the park but over near the high
school and would walk there. In other large cities, there are a lot of neighborhood parks
due to a mandate for walkable parks. Each serves young people and older people and
everyone. Don't think giant swings are necessary but fun stuff for the kids, more than
logs and benches, is important.
Misha Chellam - a lot of the comments opposing the play space are valid but not ""keep
Jackson Park Green"" because this is a small area going over an asphalt area so it
doesn't impact green area. A lot of people who live around the park want to keep it as
is. As a neighborhood who lives a couple blocks away, feel that it's not that inviting.
Philosophical - whose park is it? Love the concept of seating that rings the area to
promote community. Helps solve problem of kids going in different directions without a
tall fence.
Claire Mathieson - Lives across from the park and is reading correspondence on behalf
of neighbors, the Lees. No interest in a playground. Have two small children who love
open space, climbing trees and would like better asphalt for riding bikes. Concerned
about health of trees. Play bocce or croquet on green space. No need for a play
structure. Not an appropriate use of funds with so much maintenance to consider.
Toni Grimm - Argues against a play structure in the park. Heard that want a place to
play and says you can do that right now the way the park is. When moved here in
1976, had a young child who used the park throughout all ages of her childhood. What
is overall vision for offering park throughout the city? Have a variety of experiences in
different parks. Older people who walk the park, walk dogs in a serene park.
Neighbors across from the street are more impacted by what happens in the park.
Should take that into consideration.
Janet Magleby - Executive Director of Downtown Alameda Business Association.
Really believe Jackson Park is in need of a face lift and like that it's being considered
and budgeted. Association is excited about opportunity about beautiful, natural play
space because it's not cookie cutter and you can see minds and muscles being used in
this space. Imagination and climbing. Parents bringing families to Park Street is exactly
why Association is interested in this play space. Jackson Park is a downtown gem and
need to connect it to downtown. So people can enjoy downtown and also go enjoy a
peaceful park.
Scott Birmingham - Lives on San Jose and Broadway a couple blocks away. Feel
there's huge room for compromise. Think a small area that's designated for children
that's currently an asphalt slab doesn't affect huge portions of park that remain as grass
green space areas for bocce and use. Like the ideas to keep it natural and designed
with benches around area.
Vice Chair Alexander motioned to accept Option 3 to build a small gathering place that is a natural
play area with lots of input from the community members.
M/S Vice Chair Alexander / Commissioner Barnes. Motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes:
Chair Limoges, Vice Chair Alexander and Commissioner Barnes - 1. Noes: Commissioner Robbins.
Commissioner Barnes move to prioritize the deferred maintenance at Jackson Park including if
possible, prioritizing Jackson Park's lighting replacement as highly as possible on the list and
4",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,5,"addressing the pavement issues as well.
M/S Commissioner Barnes / Commissioner Robbins. Motion carried by the following voice vote: All in
favor with a 4 - 0.
NEW BUSINESS
7-A Presentation of Mastick Senior Center Annual Report
Jackie Krause, Recreation Manager gave the report which included stats on the membership
and programs and information on travel opportunities, community collaborations, the Advisory
Board, budget, projects, volunteers and staff.
ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA:
FY 2019-2021 Final Budget Overview
Annual User Fee Schedule
SET NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, October 10, 2019. Director Wooldridge suggested to change
the regular meeting due to the possible absence.
ADJOURNMENT
M/S Vice Chair Alexander / Commissioner Robbins
Chair Limoges adjourned the meeting at 10:10PM.
5",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,6,"EXHIBIT 1
09/12/19 ARPD Director's Report - Presented by Recreation and Park Director Amy
Wooldridge
Mastick Senior Center
Included in Mastick Senior Center Annual Report
Parks Maintenance
Welcome to our newest Parks Maintenance Gardener, Nigel Lewis.
Replaced the historic fence at Lincoln Park which was damaged by a driver under the
influence. The Alameda Architectural Preservation Society gave us accolades for doing
quality work and accomplishing it quickly.
Installed a new drinking fountains at skate park, Washington Park and Lincoln Park
Renovation with aeration, top-dress and seeding at Multi-purpose, Tillman, Harrington,
Bayport Fields.
Ivy along fence at Lincoln Park that's shared with neighbors was significant cut back. Also
trimmed and addressed all trees at Lincoln Park.
Significant landscape work done at Harrington Park by trimming down bushes.
Recreation Services
Recently hosted well received community events which included Starlight Movie in the Park,
Opera in the Park and the 106th Annual City Tennis Tournament where there were 156 entries
this year.
National Coastal Cleanup at Shoreline Beach takes place on Saturday, September 21. Please
get out and volunteer to clean your local environment. Events start at 9:00am.
The 4th Annual Bike for the Park event is Saturday, September 28. All proceeds directly benefit
the Alameda Recreation and Park Department. Details and registration at Friends of the Park
Foundation, www.alamedaparks.org. It's a fantastic event with a supported 25-mile ride and
8-mile family ride.
Teen Haunted House will once again be presented by more than 70 Alameda teen volunteers
who envision and build the theme, props, and costumes. This is a fun and creative way for
teens to earn community service hours and funds generated are designated for teen
programs.
Staff is working to continually refresh programs to keep up with new trends, changing
populations, and finding ways to balance affordability for participants with increasing program
costs.
Administration
Krusi Park Recreation Center is being replaced with a new 2,000 square foot facility that will
be available for after school and summer programs, community rentals, classes and other
programming. This project is occurring in three phases - the electrical is complete and the
site work is commencing on September 17th. The final phase is the building, which is a pre-
fabricated building being built in parts offsite and will be constructed onsite later this year. As
of 9/17/19, the existing restrooms will no longer be available but portable toilets are in place
for the public. The playground, fields and picnic area remain open to the public.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,7,"Encinal Boat Launch Facility construction started a couple weeks ago and is funded by the
Division of Boating and Waterways in the amount of $1,450,000. The boat ramp is closed for
construction of a new two-lane ramp with two boat docks for motorized and non-motorized
watercraft, a new restroom, lighting, ADA improvements, fish cleaning station, outdoor shower
and resurfacing the parking lot. Construction will be completed in January 2020 and the boat
launch facility re-opened to the public. The rock wall is still available for fishing and the beach
access remains open for all non-motorized boat launching.
Woodstock Park Playground. There has been an outpouring of community support to
replacement Woodstock Park playground that was destroyed in an act of arson. A GoFundMe
campaign raised $24,173 from 286 individual donations. The Oakland A's Community Fund
and Alameda Community Fund each donated $5,000 and the Community Learning Center
Schools Board of Directors (the governing body of NEA and ACLC, two charter schools
adjacent to Woodstock Park) is considering a significant donation later this month. The
playground design remains the same and the supplier, GameTime, approved a grant for a
50% discount. The playground is anticipated to open by the end of 2019.
Swim Center. The City Aquatic Center conceptual design Request for Proposals was issued
and includes three design concepts and cost estimation. These conceptual designs will be
discussed at a community meeting and brought to City Council later this year for final approval
along with funding options. Regarding the Emma Hood Swim Center repair, the School
District applied for the County permit at the end of August and plans to have the repairs
completed by the end of 2019.
We are hosting a site visit with SF Bay Conservation and Development Commission staff to
tour several shoreline sites and upcoming projects.
Next Agenda
Alameda Point Park Design Review
FY 2019-21 Budget Overview
ARPD 2020 User Fees Schedule",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,8,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,9,"We are building an amazing team, join us and help make this happen",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,10,"ALAMEDA FREE LIBRARY.
5
NOTE
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RELATED WORK
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----
ANDREW GARNEGIE
PRESENTED THIS BUILDING TO
THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
A 1902",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,11,"CARNECIE
INNOVATION HALL
Carnegie Innovation Hall is a state-of-the-art center for innovation
that pairs educational programming and entrepreneurship with arts,
performance, music, and technology. This one-of-a-kind center
features engaging workshops and educational programming by day;
and theatre, performing arts, and community events in the evening.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,12,"We combine technology, theater, arts, and innovation in a
place where our community is invited to dream, learn, design,
and grow. We aim to serve as an entrepreneurial launchpad,
empowering participants of all ages and backgrounds to
imagine, create, and broadcast their ideas to the world.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,13,"Center for
Computer
IMPACT
R
Research in
Meyer
LIGHTING I AUDIO I VIDEO
Music and
Sound
Acoustics
The most impactful and least intrusive upgrade to the Carnegie is state of
the art technology: digital sound, video, film, broadcasting, motion capture,
augmented reality, virtual reality, and beyond.
BRITELITE
OBSCURA
o I G I T A
L
TM
IndiePlaya
KICKSTARTER
You Tube
Where My Movies Play TM
Broadcast Yourself",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,14,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,15,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,16,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,17,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,18,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,19,"To
at",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,20,"9.00
e
E",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,21,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,22,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,23,CT Education Opportunities,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,24,da,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,25,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,26,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,27,"A sampling of the types of community uses this project could make available.
Events BenefitsAnnual Neptune Beach Summer Festival
Educational Benefits
Annual Halloween Haunted House
Weekly Historic Tours
Annual December Tree Lighting Event (participation / support)
Ongoing Educational Programming (Youth and Adult)
Annual December Arts & Craft Gift Show
Youth Summer Camps
Chinese New Year Festivities
Youth After-school Programs
Summer Outdoor Theater Events
Art Therapy and Special Ed Programs
Non-Paid City Events (12 per year included, others on request)
Alameda High School Community Access Television
36 Discount Community Events (others on request when available)
School Dances and Proms
Economic Benefits
School Graduation Ceremonies
Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, Confirmations, and other ceremonies
Networking
Quinceañeras
Skills, Knowledge, and Business Development
Weddings and Birthdays
Entrepreneurial Coaching and Courses
Corporate Events and Year-end Parties
Professional Internships
Public Town Halls and Meetings
Career Pathway Development
Open Mic Nights
Idea and Start Up Incubation
Karaoke Nights
Kickstarter Launchpad
Live Music Events
Youtube Content Producer Channel Recording Suites
Live Theatrical Productions
Audio and Video Recording Suites
Immersive Theater Experiences
Dress-up Dinner Theater Shows
Drive-in Shakespeare
And More
Please help us grow this list",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,28,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,29,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,30,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,31,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,32,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,33,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,34,"e
- 200
-
-
- sa - - - - no - ta
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
DE
a",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,35,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,36,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,37,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,38,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,39,"Potential Community Partners
Academy of Alameda
College of Alameda
Alameda Architectural Preservation Society
Dance10 Performing Arts Center
Alameda-Based Community Theater Company
Downtown Alameda Business Association
Alameda Boys & Girls Club
Encinal High School
Alameda Civic Ballet
Foodshift
Alameda Community Band
Frank Bette Center for the Arts
Alameda Education Foundation
Ginny Parsons
Alameda Education Fund
Girl's Inc of the Island City
Greater Alameda Business Association
Alameda Museum
Pacific Pinball Museum
Alameda Naval Air Museum
Rhythmix Cultural Works
Alameda Point Collaborative
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School
Alameda School of Music
Starland Music
Alameda String Academy
Studio 23
Altarena Playhouse
The California Historical Radio Society
Art Yowza
The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum
Artistic Home Studio
Tomorrow Youth Repertory
Boys and Girls Club of Alameda
West Alameda Business Association
Chamber of Commerce
Yu Ying Learning (Mandarin bilingual school)
We need your help to grow out this list",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,40,"Ways you can help make this happen:
Join the
Volunteer to help with
Fundraising Committee
Community organizing
Finance Committee
Event planning
Public Outreach Committee
Administration
Diversity Committee
Writing
Historic Restoration Committee
IT and Infrastructure
Educational Programming Committee
Entrepreneurial Programming Committee
Event Programming Committee
Technology Committee
Community Advisory Board
Board of Directors",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,41,"CARNEGIE
HOME ABOUT RESTORATION COMMUNITY USES TEAM PARTICIPATE CONTACT
It
INNOVATION HALL
e
00
or
S
9
CARNEGIE
INNOVATION HALI
Check our website
For future meetings and join our mailing list
carnegieinnovationhall.org",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,42,"CARNEGIE
INNOVATION HALL
VISUALIZING
CARNEGIE INNOVATION HALL
JOIN US
Alameda's historic Carnegie Library is being restored into Carnegie Innovation
Hall: a state-of-the-art center for performance, education, technology, and
community and we need you!
Participate in a community workshop and explore the possibilities for this
project. Be ready to jump in, meet our team and learn how you can participate in
our growing community.
Your presence and engagement in these ongoing workshops is essential to ensure the
Carnegie Innovation Hall grows into an Alameda space that:
Creates programming which radically includes our entire community
Includes diverse community needs in creative and equitable ways
Builds upon the assets of our community
SUN
ALAMEDA MAIN LIBRARY
15 SEPT 2019
STAFFORD ROOM
2PM TO 4PM
1550 OAK STREET, ALAMEDA, CA 94501",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,43,"Park Avenue Heritage Area
September 2019
to
07
#73
179
- - #95
1201
1203
1207
1211
1213-6
1217
1227
1229-31
1286 37
1247
PARK
AVENUE
=
TREES
2414-1 21
1333
1344
1345 47 1349
1551
1393-57 1509
1375
PARK
AVENUE
1304
ISOS
1308
1314
1318
1320
1322
1334
1336-38
1340
1344
1346
1350
PARK
AVENUE
#66
#70
#74
##2
IISO
#95
1200
1206
1220
1222
224
1224
1252
1236
1240
1246
1250-52
1254
1258
5 S 5
2
and
Residences opposed to having
playground in Jackson Park
(based on a partial survey)
PARK",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,44,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,45,"PARK
AVENUE
WEST
Magnolias (E)
Park Sign
NOTE
Cown
Lown
VII
PARK
AVENUE
ERST
Plenic Area
Elevated Two Ther Fountein With upper of Lower Coping
Sycamores ()
Magnolias ()
Pergola's With Flowering Vine
Low Boxwood Hedge
Single Species Bed With Seasonal Color
Palms (E)
Pavers
Large Urns With Annual Color
Circuler Bed
Victorian Style Bench
Single Species Beds With Seasonal Color
Ornamental 42""Wroughe Iron Fence
Victorian Style Trosh Receptacle
Decomposed Granite Paving
Interlocign Pavers
Stone Seat Well
Restroom in style of Gasebo
Slopad Circular Rjoben Beds
Drinking Fountain
Pavers
Victorion Style Light Peles
Sycamores (E)
Linden Treas (2)
PARK
WEST
Red Oaks ()
AVENUE
Redwoods (E)
JACKSON PARK
Sensonal Flowering Strubbs Around Concrets Seat ("")
With Now Drining Fountain For Dags
CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN
City of Alameda
Alameda, California
February 1997
jha
Londange
Lave
---
o
10
20
40
00 FEQT
Polms (E)
Low Boxwood Hedge
Magnolias (E)
Pargola's With Flowering Vine
sightly Mounded Rib6on Bed With Sensona a/ Color
Interlocion Pavers
PART
AVENUE
EAST
Ornamental 42e Wrought Iron Fence
Standard Roses 'With Flowering Groundcover
Dischied Accessible Victorian Stryle Gassbo",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,46,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,47,"I'm Lisa Klofkorn. I have lived across from Jackson Park for twenty years, and
previous to that lived for ten years in the neighborhood where many of the pro-
playground folks now reside. I raised my children in these two neighborhoods and
I'm intimately familiar with both.
A traditional playground, especially any structure that needs to be fenced in, doesn't
fit into this narrow park, which was originally intended for passive recreation.
Other factors that make this site a poor one for a playground include the busy
streets that surround the park on all sides, the poor condition of the existing trees
that may pose a hazard, and the lack of sufficient parking (as this is an extremely
high density neighborhood with many multi-unit dwellings).
I reviewed the video of your May 9 meeting. The social media surveys mentioned
did not ask respondents for their addresses, so it would not be possible to know if
the respondents were from the immediate area. The results stating that all
respondents were for having a playground built in Jackson Park were inaccurate, as
I and others responded to the Nextdoor survey with our opposition and concerns,
but these comments were not referenced in the May 9 meeting. I'm attaching a few
of these responses in the packet I'm leaving with you tonight.
In Ms. Wooldridge's report on the July 30 meeting in Jackson Park, which I attended,
she comments that of those who voiced opinions about half were for the playground
and half were opposed. The sign-in sheet did not ask for the addresses of those in
attendance. After that meeting I wrote to Ms. Wooldridge to clarify what was meant
by ""neighborhood"" in reference to the city council's stipulation that the playground
was ""contingent upon neighborhood approval"". She wrote back that the city
generally uses the standard of 300' from any given project. At the July 30 meeting it
was apparent that several of the people voicing their approval of the proposed
playground were from areas outside the immediate neighborhood, including those",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,48,"who live in my old neighborhood on and near Crist Street. Those that spoke
primarily in opposition to having the playground were residents living in the
immediate vicinity of the park, residents living within the 300' radius the city
designates as the neighborhood needing to give approval. So, not all who spoke
were from the immediate neighborhood (within the 300' radius), and many were
from outside the immediate neighborhood, thus giving an inaccurate appraisal of
the situation. I have printed out an updated map of Jackson Park and its
surrounding residential neighborhood showing those residences opposed to having
a playground built in the park. This map illustrates the overwhelming opposition
this neighborhood has to the addition of a playground in Jackson Park.
I addition I am including a copy of the Conceptual Master Plan of Jackson Park,
drawn up twenty years ago, in hopes that the city would see fit to implement some
of the improvements included in this plan, as well as seeing to much needed
deferred maintenance this park sorely needs.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,49,"Nextdoor Jackson Park Playground Survey
March 2019
Examples of comments posted to this survey that were in oppositon to
having a playground built in Jackson Park.
""
Monica LeMaster East End Zone
I'm very fond of the gorgeous trees and open green space, so I am against
losing any of the trees(-ever if they're not intentionally cut, could their
roots get unintentionally damaged through construction?). I personally don't
think of the park as underutilized, as I've found things to do with my kids
there for the last 12 years. Though in those 12 years, I've also wished for
a
playground from time to time, especially when I have toddler in the house:
I've learned to just bring a ball and enjoy the space as is though-building -
fairy houses with the sticks is another favorite activity. I'm open to hearing
more about the idea though. I know there are a lot of families with young
children in this neighborhood, some new and some old, and I would love to
meet them at a local, public playground.
Edited 22 Mar
Thank
Reply
6
Terri Ogden, East End Zone
T
I am a devoted supporter of recreation in Alameda, having worked at the
parks and serving on the recreation commission. That being said, I am
very much devoted to free play instead of always structuring children's play
time. My aunt used to live on Park Avenue and I can remember having
some awesome fun running around the park with my cousins playing for
hours without the need for playground equipment. There is a lot to be said
for the imagination.
22 Mar
Thank
Reply
4
Mimi Laubach Whale's Eye
I like Jackson Park as it is. I think ARPD could do more with the park-
maybe Sunday afternoon concerts in the bandstand, upgrade the pathways
and add flower beds in areas. Most of our city parks have play structures
already and we have few ""green"" parks where we can enjoy simple nature
in Alameda.
28 Mar
Thank
Reply
:
3",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,50,"Lisa Klofkorn East End Zone
I have lived in a house facing Jackson Park for twenty years. I do not
normally have objections to adding playgrounds to existing parks, however.
in regards to Jackson Park I have a few concerns.
First, when this park underwent renovations in 2001, the proposed
renovation included two phases. Phase one, including the restoration of the
bandstand, was completed. It's my understanding that phase two, including
much needed improvements to pathways, lighting, and such, was never
done due to budgetary constraints. These improvements are still very much
needed in this park. How can the expense of adding a playground be
justified when much needed park improvements have not been
implemented?
Secondly, if a playground is added would a fence surrounding this
playground be necessary due to safety concerns, because of the close
proximity of Park Avenue on both the east and west sides of the park? If a
fence is needed I have worries this may negatively impact the beauty and
openness of the park. This park is very narrow by design and the space
may not lend itself well to the addition of a fenced off area within its
boundaries.
21 Mar
Reply
6
Monique Lopez. East End Zone
V
No thank you
22 Mar Thank Reply
1",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,51,"Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 4:33:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Subject: Jackson Park playground proposal
Date:
Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 4:32:43 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From:
Gary Cates (sent by gary cates <glcbfd1967@gmail.com>)
To:
mezzyashcraft@alameda.gov,awooldridge@alameda.gov
CC:
jacksonparkwatch@googlegroups.com
BCC:
Sarah Foltz, mary ann cates, gary cates
Dear Mayor Ashcraft and Ms. Wooldridge,
We purchased our home at 1250 Park Avenue in April of 1974. We raised two children here and now
have two teenage grandchildren all of whom spent many hours enjoying the wonders of our
beautiful Jackson park.
They were allowed to use their imagination to enjoy what little green space we have in a very urban
setting. The park was never intended to include a playground. This became evident when the private
properties owned by the residents of Park Avenue were deeded to the City for the purpose of
building what would become Alameda's first Park.
For example, a fire station was once proposed for much of the space and rejected once restrictions
outlined in the property transfer agreement were revealed. Because of the park's proximity to a
commercial district and Alameda High School the park and those of us who share the area are often
exposed to negative conditions such various types of litter, including discarded food packaging, drug
paraphernalia and liquor bottles and the noise of late night partying. The addition of a playground
could serve as a magnet for many unauthorized activities that would only exacerbate these
problems.
The park was conceived as a ""landscape promenade"" that did not incorporate concepts of play and
recreation such as playgrounds and sports fields. These elements can be found in later developed
parks such as Lincoln and Washington and others.
The historic nature of the creation of the park and the wishes of the original grantors must be
respected. We fear that we may be living in a time where the concept of respect for history is being
eroded.
We understand and respect those who feel that a playground would provide improvements to our
park. However in light of what is stated above we must oppose this proposal.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann and Gary Cates
1250 Park Ave
Page 1 of 1",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,52,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,53,"From:
Erin Zajonc
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Support for Jackson Park Play Space
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 2:54:32 PM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
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Dear Amy,
I wanted to share with you my support for a play space at Jackson Park. My family loves
downtown and think that a nearby play space would make it even better.
Not only will it provide a space for children to run around and socialize but it will also build
community and improve Jackson Park. One time, my husband went to Jackson park for my
son to run around - but found it less inviting with people loitering for lack of a better word.
Likewise, If there were a play space close to downtown, my family and I would eat and shop
there more often because we would have a space for our son to burn off some energy before
and/or after.
We understand that there are fiscal considerations and therefore support the Commissioners to
get conceptual designs for the potential play space.
Thank you for your time,
Erin Fong-Zajonc",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,54,"From:
Jessica
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson park
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 5:01:19 PM
*** CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any
questions.
Hi Amy,
I'm unable to attend tonight's city council meeting because it conflicts with my toddler's bedtime but I am emailing
to express my support for building a small natural playground at Jackson park. I was at the meeting held at the park
about a month ago and wish I was able to attend this meeting.
I would like to see the Commissioners support hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs to help
create a beautiful functional play space at Jackson Park.
Thank you for considering this feedback from me and my 22 month old!
Best,
Jessica
Sent from my iPhone",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,55,"From:
Bobbie V Centurion
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Pak
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 1:00:41 PM
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Dear Amy,
I
am unable to be at the meeting, but would like to share some thoughts about play structures
to be considered for Jackson Park.
I am not in favor of installing any kind of play structure in Jackson Park.
I have lived at the corner of Park Ave. and San Jose for almost 30 years. I raised three
daughters here and we enjoyed the park a lot.
I appreciate the open free-form play that I see so often in the park. Our park, the way it
currently is, encourages children to use their imaginations in wonderful ways. Any group of
parents, or teachers can use the park in an abundance of creative ways.
I also have concerns about our beautiful trees. A friend that lives near Longfellow Park told
me that they lost a one hundred year old magnolia recently., and that part of the reason was the
roots of the tree were negatively impacted by the compacted soil of a play structure on top of
them.
Also, I am concerned that a play structure would invite more cars into the area. Parking is a
constant issue for this neighborhood.
I would like to see Park and Rec funding go towards replacing the dangerous paths and
improved lawn maintenance which keeps the grass from growing onto the paths.
Thank you for considering my ideas, and thank you for serving in public office.
Sincerely,
Bobbie V. Centurion
1201 Park Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 865-9945",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,56,"From:
Scott Grieder
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Cc:
Charlise Tiee
Subject:
In support of a Jackson Park functional play-space
Date:
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 9:10:05 PM
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attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any
questions. ***
Hello Amy,
As I will be unable to attend the hearing tomorrow night, I am writing you in support of a Jackson Park play-space.
My wife and I have lived in Alameda for over 10 years on Crist St. We always thought that Jackson Park was a
picturesque looking place with a fine gazebo, but rarely had ever seen anyone put the space to any good use. To be
honest, we mostly have just seen commuters waiting for buses there, teenage kids fighting after high school gets out
and inebriated people passed out on the lawn.
Now that we have small children and frequent other parks across the Island, it seems even more of a shame that
there's no dedicated area for young kids to play in. There are even signs up that say that bike riding in the park is not
allowed. I think it's reasonable to think that the entire community could benefit from encouraging more walkable
options for families with young children. Many of the homes in the area lack any real back yards to play in or are
suited to outdoor play.
We'd like to see the Commissioners support hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs for Jackson
Park. We believe that we could end up with a beautiful functional play space there. I fear that many of us in our
community are working parents of young children and are unable to turn up at these hearings. It's easy for us to be
under represented especially given the times allotted for meetings on school nights.
Jackson Park is not the center piece of private, gated community. The park deserves to be more than a publicly
funded and maintained front yard for houses along Park Ave. It's supposed to be a space for all of us to share.
We hope you support our neighborhood families and give us a chance to live and play closely with our neighbors.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Scott Grieder
2508 Crist St",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,57,"From:
Katy Dreyfuss
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
In Support of a Play Space at Jackson Park
Date:
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 1:01:36 PM
Attachments:
ATT00001.htm
sig
ATT00002.htm
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Hi Amy,
My name is Katy Nasitka and I am an Alameda resident who lives .4 miles from
Jackson Park. My kids are 7 and 10 years old. We often bike to Park Street and to
friends' houses near Jackson Park. We enjoy biking under the trees through the
park's open space. We would enjoy the park even more with a play space specifically
designed for young children. I hope you will consider supporting the hire of a
landscape architect who would create conceptual designs for a play space at Jackson
Park.
Best,
Katy Nasitka",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,58,"From:
Jaclyn Karnowski
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson park for kids!!
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:50:06 AM
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Hello,
Please note my support for a simple kids play structure at Jackson Park.
I'm all for a simple climb / swing structure. Please hire an architect and let's get this thing
going!
I know it will reduce the drug activity in the park, it'll be a great reason to actually open and
use the bathroom that exists. And, it' Il be a catalyst for improving the walkway cement that is
now quite dangerous for anyone walking the path.
Thanks!
Jaclyn Karnowski
2422 Webb Ave. Alameda
Jaclyn Karnowski
Consultant | Educator
810.444.0063 I jaclyn.karnowski@gmail.com
beautycounter.com/jaclynkarnowski
Our mission is to get safer products in the hands of everyone.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,59,"From:
bmathieson@aol.com
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Cc:
klofkorn@comcast.net; dnowi@comcast.net
Subject:
For Recreation and Park Commissioners -- September 12 Agenda Item 7c
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 7:29:27 AM
Attachments:
Compilation of opposition comments 8-22-2019.pc
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Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission:
I am a neighbor of Jackson Park and am looking forward to participating in your September 12, 2019,
meeting. I appreciate the conclusion in the staff report that states, ""Overall, it was clear that a playground
is not necessary to fulfill the requested needs but rather a small natural play area and/or gathering space
for families would suffice.""
I would like to provide some additional context to the request for a playground in Jackson Park. Your May
9, 2019, recommendation to the City Council that a playground be constructed in Jackson Park was
based on misleading information. The two Alameda residents who spoke at your May 9 meeting live in a
neighborhood a few blocks from Jackson Park. One of them had conducted an online survey to gauge
interest in a playground at the park and told you that the survey respondents were all in favor of a
playground. That was not true; either the compilation of the survey results was flawed, or the speaker
inaccurately summarized the results.
The input provided at the July 30, 2019, Community Meeting, which at least two of you kindly attended,
included vast opposition to a playground by people who identified themselves as living in the immediate
neighborhood of the park. In contrast, very few of the playground proponents identified where they live.
Unfortunately, the sign-in sheet for the meeting included only names and e-mail addresses, with no
record of where the meeting attendees live.
Speakers who stated that the closest playgrounds are a mile away are mistaken. Edison School, whose
large, modern toddler and big-kid play structures are accessible to the public during non-school hours, is
0.6 mile from Jackson Park and 0.4 mile (an 8-minute walk) from the Crist Street homes of many of the
pro-playground speakers. Lincoln Park is 0.7 mile from their homes, and Krusi Park is 0.8 mile from their
homes. Those three existing playgrounds provide ample opportunities for climbing, swinging, and sliding
on conventional play structures in a fenced environment.
The attached document is a compilation of comments that various Jackson Park neighbors emailed me
about the proposal for a playground in the park. They provide more detail about neighborhood concerns
than could be included in the compilation of input from the July 30 Community Meeting.
I look forward to hearing the discussion at your meeting this Thursday. I hope that your recommendation
will be compatible with Jackson Park's uniquely valuable character as a place of peaceful respite, for all
Alameda children and adults, from the hectic aspects of urban life.
Sincerely,
Betsy (and Scott) Mathieson
1185 Park Avenue
(510)523-5852",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,60,"From:
Rachel Wilson
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
In support of a playground at Jackson Park
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 1:34:49 PM
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safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions.
Dear Ms. Wooldridge,
I would like to see the Commissioners support hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3
conceptual designs so we end up with a beautiful functional play space at Jackson Park.
My kids and I regularly walk and bike to the Park Street/Park Avenue area from our house on
the East End. I know my kids would really enjoy a play area that makes Jackson Park feel
more friendly to children.
Thank you,
Rachel Wilson
1205 Post St, Alameda, CA 94501",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,61,"From:
Cassandra Cook
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park proposal
Date:
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 7:16:18 PM
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Hi Amy,
My name is Cassandra Lee, a mother of two and resident of Alameda. I am writing in regards to the
proposed play area for Jackson Park. I understand that there has been opposition to the park and wanted
to voice my opinion and wholehearted approval ahead of the City Hall discussion. Unfortunately, due to
the logistics of having two young children, it is difficult for me attend the meetings on the park proposal.
When I heard that there was a possibility of a new play structure for my children, and in such close
proximity to our home and children's day care facility, my family and I were beyond elated. The parks that
are close by are often crowded and I know that I speak for several families when I say that a new play
area would be a godsend. I am in a Facebook community for 2016 (457 members) and 2018
(541 members) mothers and we are always looking for places to bring our children.
I understand that there are two options for building a new structure- preassembled or hiring an architect.
Of course, I believe hiring an architect would increase the value of the park - in attendance and
aesthetics, much like the grandeur of the new Sweeney Open Space. Nonetheless, I honestly would be
grateful for any play structure! My specific request would be to include a structure accessible for younger
children.
Since I have moved to Alameda, nearly 10 years ago, the city has exploded with new life. I see more and
more young families moving here and growing. I know that this park would be a gift that would keep
giving to the community for generations to come.
Thank you for reviewing and considering the proposal for the park, and for reading my email.
Best,
Cassandra
The Lee Family",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,62,"From:
Harrison Riley
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 10:09:04 AM
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Hi Amy,
I'd like to see the Commissioners support hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual
designs so we end up with a beautiful functional play space at Jackson Park.
Thanks,
Harrison",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,63,"From:
Karen Larsen
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 10:14:32 AM
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questions. ***
Hello Amy,
I hope to be able to attend the meeting tonight and add my opposition to adding a playground
Jackson Park.
Before moving forward with adding a playground I think it is important to keep the commitment made many years
ago to spend money on repair and upkeep. It is particularly important to have a long range plan to replace trees with
finite lives. I am afraid there will eventually be a wholesale removal of trees changing the character and object of the
Park.
I know the funds slated for the play area do not come from the maintenance budget. All the more reason for those
who have been waiting for appropriate upkeep and repair to be upset with the playground decision.
I sent an email in early July to your department asking when the giant stump left after the latest tree was taken down
would be removed and replaced. Since there was a sign placed by ARPD on the stump advising that this was going
to happen I wanted to know when. I did not receive a reply.
I was there the day an ARPD employee dropped by the Park, met a fellow, and pointed to the tree that was
subsequently removed. No notice was given to anyone. On the same day the tree was removed. While the tree may
have needed to be removed, it was in the same condition on that day as it had been for years.
I hope you will forgive my cynicism, but I think that the tree was removed to make way for a play area about which
no appropriate public input effort was undertaken.
I do understand that parents want to have areas for their children to play. Jackson Park is already being used for that
purpose. There just aren't play structures.
In an earlier email to you I suggested that a ring of benches might be appropriate. Parents could watch the children
and get to know one another.
Thank you for your time and any effort you undertake to insure that money is directed appropriately.
Best Regards
Karen Larsen
1206 Park Avenue.
Sent from my iPhone",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,64,"From:
Dianne Woon
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park play structure
Date:
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 7:46:24 PM
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Hi, Amy,
Since both me and my husband have to attend a school function for our daughter, we won't be
able to attend September 12 meeting. But we would like to express that we do not support
building any play structure in Jackson Park. When we moved here, our children were small and
they were able to enjoy using their own creativity to play at the park. Whenever we felt that it is
needed, we will take them to other close by park with play structure. I have been a stay home
mom and a working mom full time as we raise our kids.
Also, since the park is so close to Encinal, it is a high risk to little ones and if you put a fence
around the play structure, it will completely ruin the natural decor as we have been provided by
the mother nature.
Last but not least, we find that any structure is a natural attractive to people to hang out especially
dusk and after. Most people who support the play structure lives 1-2 blocks away from it,
therefore they never have to deal with calling APD as there are people gathering when they
should not already. Play structure will make it even easier, just like the bench at the end of the
park, because they will have a place to rest and hang out and play.
Therefore, we respectually oppose to have any play structure on Jackson Park. Instead, we
respectfully request to have the sidewalks around the park to be paved so there is no tripping
hazarad.
Thanks,
Jason & Dianne Woon
1254 Park Ave",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,65,"From:
Louise Van Geffen
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Fwd: Jackson Park meeting this evening
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:33:00 AM
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Dear Amy,
I will be unable to attend the hearing tomorrow night, however I would like to voice my
support for a Jackson Park play-space.
My family and I have lived on Park Avenue in Alameda for 7 years. We always thought that
Jackson Park was a picturesque looking place with a fine gazebo, but rarely had ever seen
anyone put the space to any good use. To be honest, we mostly have just seen commuters
waiting for buses there, teenage kids fighting after high school gets out and inebriated people
passed out on the lawn.
Now that we have small children and frequent other parks across the Island, it seems even
more of a shame that there's no dedicated area for young kids to play in. There are even signs
up that say that bike riding in the park is not allowed. I think it's reasonable to think that the
entire community could benefit from encouraging more walkable options for families with
young children. Many of the homes in the area lack any real back yards to play in or are suited
to outdoor play.
We'd like to see the Commissioners support hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3
conceptual designs for Jackson Park. We believe that we could end up with a beautiful
functional play space there. I fear that many of us in our community are working parents of
young children and are unable to turn up at these hearings. It's easy for us to be under
represented especially given the times allotted for meetings on school nights.
Jackson Park is not the center piece of private, gated community. The park deserves to be
more than a publicly funded and maintained front yard for houses along Park Ave. It's
supposed to be a space for all of us to share.
We hope you support our neighborhood families and give us a chance to live and play closely
with our neighbors.
Thanks for your consideration.
Louise Van Geffen",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,66,"From:
Kate Fayngersh
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park Playground
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 12:44:14 AM
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questions. ***
Hi Amy,
My family and I recently purchased a home in Alameda, one block away from the beautiful Jackson Park. I am
writing to you in support of the proposed playground, since I have two small children and attending support
meetings in person is difficult due to the timing happening during or after bedtime.
I would like to see the Commissioners' support hiring a landscape architect to create a couple of designs so we can
end up with a beautiful and functional play space at Jackson Park that the entire community can agree upon. At the
last meeting, the concept designs that were shared were beautiful, natural, and a tasteful size that took into account
the size of the park without creating an eye sore or attracting people who would drive/park cars in the area. Such a
play area would be wonderful and even those opposed recognized that something like that would be tasteful and
agreeable.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can reach out to anyone else to offer support for this effort.
I appreciate your help with this!
Kate Fayngersh
415-902-6446",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,67,"From:
Nalani N
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park Playground
Date:
Sunday, September 8, 2019 10:36:34 PM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions.
***
Dear Amy.
I'm writing because 'm hoping to see the Commissioners support hiring a landscape
architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs SO we end up with a beautiful functional play
space at Jackson Park. Every time l' m at Jackson Park I think it's such a pity there isn't
a
playground. the park has SO much unrealized potential as a public space.
Thank you!
Nalani Warde",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,68,"From:
Jennifer Zimmermann
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson park playground
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 8:48:26 PM
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attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any
questions.
***
Hi Amy,
I am a local alameda resident with a three year old. I wanted to reach out because I understand from Ron Limoges
the last meeting there was opposition to the proposed park.
I have been unable to attend any meetings due to work and lack of baby sitters but I fully support the need for some
type of playground at Jackson park.
I understand the next step should be hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs so we end up with
a beautiful functional play space.
Please ensure this is moved forward
We appreciate the work
Jennifer, Jethro and Jax Zimmermann",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,69,"From:
Sean P. Scanlon
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park Playground
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 7:32:33 AM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Hi Amy --
I am unable to attend the Recreation and Park Commission's meeting on Thursday regarding the
proposed Jackson Park playground, but would like to put forward my support for the Commission to hire a
landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs for a small gathering space/natural play area.
Thank you for all of your thoughtful attention to this potential project.
Regards,
Sean Scanlon
943 Park St.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,70,"From:
Montgomery, Angelina
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Re: Jackson Park
Date:
Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:47:58 AM
Attachments:
image001.png
image003.png
***
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
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safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Hi Amy,
I am unable to attend the meeting tonight and wanted to send my response to you directly. I have a
little 2 year old and am an Alameda resident. We've owned our home in Alameda for a few years
and have been renters here for years. I would like to support the city to build the play area at
Jackson Park. As a new parent we're always looking for new places to take our child to play, and new
ways to engage with our community. Having this new small park would be an excellent way to build
community for families in Alameda, especially at Jackson Park!
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Angelina Montgomery, MPH
Help Me Grow Prevention Manager
First 5 Alameda County
1115 Atlantic Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
510-227-6943
angel.montgomery@first5alameda.org
ww.First5Alameda.org
FIRST5
ALAMEDA
COUNTY
Newsletter
Alameda
lorg
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission may contain privileged and/or confidential information for use only by the
intended recipients. Any use, distribution, copying or disclosure by any person, other than the intended recipients is strictly prohibited and
may be subject to civil action and/or penalties. If you receive this transmission in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail or by
telephone and delete the transmission. Thank you.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,71,"From:
Claire Mathieson
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Please Forward to Recreation and Park Commissioners for 9/12 Agenda Item 7c
Date:
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 4:09:38 PM
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safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Dear Commissioners,
My name is Claire Mathieson, and I have been a resident of Park Avenue since 2000, when I
was a student at Otis Elementary School. I love Jackson Park because it is such a free, open
space; each day the park has many different kinds of visitors, and they are each able to use its
blank green canvas to make it their own.
When I was a child here, we did not have a playground, but we did not miss one either; we
loved making up our own games. I have no significant childhood memories of playing on
playgrounds; however, some of my favorite memories feature games that my friends and I
invented - light stick tag, which my neighbors and I made up and played often in Jackson
Park; concocting Harry Potter-esque potions from mud, grass, and leaves and using sticks as
magic wands; drawing elaborate chalk obstacle courses on asphalt and spending days working
through the challenges together. Jackson Park is a unique place, a park that doesn't prescribe a
way for children to play but rather provides them with a perfect, natural, open space where
they can bring their own imaginations together to create endless fun and enrichment in the
present and wonderful memories for the future.
I think creativity is one of the most wondrous traits we have, and preserving natural,
distraction-free places like Jackson Park is essential to nourish creative thinking in an age
when so much of what we do is fed to us through screens. Last year I participated in a
creativity retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin, and one of the teachers raised a
point that really stuck with me. We seem to have so many options now, with endless apps and
gadgets at our fingertips. However, the teacher said, all of those things are part of a ""menu""
that offers us a large - but limited and prescribed - set of choices. What's most precious, most
overlooked, and most worth seeking out is what's not on the menu, what we find or create for
ourselves beyond the list of choices - like chalk maps and potions whose recipes only my
friends and I know. For me, Jackson Park as a wide, green, some-might-say plain open space
is the world beyond the menu, a world that we can make our own, a world in which children
don't automatically find themselves climbing on a play structure made for them by adults but
rather create a different play structure every day, every minute - one that is constantly in flux,
a marvelous combination of the natural world and their own awesome imaginations.
I hope that the children of this neighborhood will continue to have the same opportunities I
had to use their inborn creativity to forge bonds with each other, with the natural world, and
with their future selves, who - if my own experience is anything to go by -will treasure the
precious memories of the time when their friends wielded lightsabers and wizards hid behind
trees.
Sincerely,
Claire Mathieson",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,72,"From:
Ashley Lorden
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park playspace
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 9:57:38 AM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions.
Hello,
I believe you are working on the next step for the Jackson Park playspace project, getting a
few design options so Recreation and Parks and the community can form a plan. I strongly
support this project; as someone who lives nearby, I don't use this park nearly as much as
other parks (which are farther away from me) because I worry it's not a safe place for my
children. I really like the idea of constructing a play area for children that is designed to feel
like a natural part of this historic park, using earth tones and organic materials wherever
possible. This would help the park get a lot more use by neighborhood families, which can
make it safer for everyone.
Thank you for your work on this project!
Ashley Lorden",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,73,"From:
Kasimira Riley
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Jackson Park
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 10:15:14 AM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Hi Amy,
I'm writing you to let you know of my support for building a small play space for children in
Jackson park. I am in full support of hiring a landscape architect to create conceptual designs
so we end up with a beautiful functional play space at Jackson Park.
As live just a few blocks away from Jackson park and have a 8 month old who would would
love to have a park and playground close by where he can be out in nature and interacting with
other kids, I think the addition of a park would be a tremendous value add to the culture of
the community.
I
think it is incredibly important to invest in the future of our community, and that is where I
look to the city to take care of the best interests of our children. I hope to have your support!
Kasi",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,74,"From:
J.J. Navarro
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Cc:
Sarah Henry
Subject:
Re: Jackson Park agenda item on Recreation and Parks Commission 9/12/19
Date:
Thursday, September 5, 2019 2:16:12 PM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Hi Amy -
Thanks for your email.
I will be out of town on the 12th and unable to attend the meeting.
As I've expressed in council chambers on two occasions, and during the neighborhood
meeting you hosted, I am very much in favor of building a tasteful, natural-looking play
structure in Jackson Park. In my view, it will go a long way to bring our community together,
deter the undesirable loitering and drug activity that the park is known for, and provide a much
needed play structure for nearby families.
Thank you for passing along my comments to the commissioners.
-J.J. Navarro
J.J. Navarro
jinavarro@gmail.com
m. 415-515-2259
On Thu, Sep 5, 2019 at 10:29 AM Amy Wooldridge <AWooldridge@alamedaca.gov> wrote:
Hello Jackson Park neighbors,
This is to inform you that the Recreation and Parks Commission will be discussing the
option of a play area at Jackson Park on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at City Hall, Council
Chambers on the third floor. It is also televised. The meeting starts at 7:00pm.
The staff report and attachments are available on the city's website here. Just choose the
Recreation and Parks Commission from the drop down menu and then click on the
9/12/2019 agenda. The blue hyperlinks on the agenda will take you to the staff report and
attachments.
Three options are being presented to the Commission for them to provide direction to staff.
These options include 1) hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs for a",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,75,"From:
Yu-Yee Wu
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
Re: Jackson Park agenda item on Recreation and Parks Commission 9/12/19
Date:
Thursday, September 5, 2019 11:19:20 PM
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safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions.
***
Hi Amy,
Thank you so much for the email and update. I was at the first meeting at Jackson Park but
could not stay the whole time. I ask that the Commission support options 1 or 3 to have an
appropriate sized natural playground integrated into Jackson Park, ideally including a small
swing structure.
I believe that having a small playground for the growing number of families nearby is in line
with and supportive of the population changes and growth in Alameda. A small playground
will not totally change the character of the park, which spans two blocks, one block of which
can stay as it is for those who don't want change to still enjoy if they don't want to be around
kids. I don't see a small local playground becoming a destination point like the other bigger
and fancier playgrounds, but will serve to be a delight and resource for families like mine who
live nearby who would like to walk to the park with their kids and give them a playground
where they can be more active. Because of its close proximity to all the restaurants and shops
on Park St, it will also be a nicer place to walk to after spending time on Park St and would
help kids get out more of their energy before going home. I ask that the Commission vote for
a small playground in Jackson Park to support the growing number of families who live
nearby now and in the future.
Thank you!
Yu-Yee Wu
On Sep 5, 2019, at 10:29 AM, Amy Wooldridge <AWooldridge@alamedaca.gov> wrote:
Hello Jackson Park neighbors,
This is to inform you that the Recreation and Parks Commission will be discussing the
option of a play area at Jackson Park on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at City Hall,
Council Chambers on the third floor. It is also televised. The meeting starts at 7:00pm.
The staff report and attachments are available on the city's website here. Just choose
the Recreation and Parks Commission from the drop down menu and then click on the
9/12/2019 agenda. The blue hyperlinks on the agenda will take you to the staff report
and attachments.
Three options are being presented to the Commission for them to provide direction to",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,76,"From:
helenpak49@yahoo.com
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Cc:
KHINEOUN KONG
Subject:
Re: Jackson Park agenda item on Recreation and Parks Commission 9/12/19
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 3:42:41 PM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Hi Amy,
I am unable to attend the meeting but I'd like to see the Commissioners support hiring a
landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual designs to create a beautiful functional play space
at Jackson Park.
Thank you!
Helen & Khineoun Kong
2304 San Jose Ave
Alameda, CA
510-910-0763
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 5, 2019, at 10:29 AM, Amy Wooldridge <AWooldridge@alamedaca.gov> wrote:
Hello Jackson Park neighbors,
This is to inform you that the Recreation and Parks Commission will be discussing the
option of a play area at Jackson Park on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at City Hall,
Council Chambers on the third floor. It is also televised. The meeting starts at 7:00pm.
The staff report and attachments are available on the city's website here. Just choose
the Recreation and Parks Commission from the drop down menu and then click on the
9/12/2019 agenda. The blue hyperlinks on the agenda will take you to the staff report
and attachments.
Three options are being presented to the Commission for them to provide direction to
staff. These options include 1) hiring a landscape architect to create 2-3 conceptual
designs for a small gathering space/natural play area; 2) to leave the space as it is and
not do a play area; 3) build a small natural play area/gathering space with pre-made
components from a playground supplier that are natural looking components such as a
climable rock or animal sculpture. All of the feedback from the neighborhood meeting
is included as well as photo examples and options for a small landscape play area /
gathering space.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,77,"From:
Danny Roosevelt
To:
Amy Wooldridge
Subject:
voicing support for the Jackson Park playground project
Date:
Monday, September 9, 2019 2:02:01 PM
CAUTION: This email message is coming from a non-City email address. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is
safe. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions. ***
Hi Amy, I wanted to make my voice heard and let you know my family and I strongly support
the proposal to build a playground at Jackson Park and we've love to see the city hire a
landscape architect to product 2-3 conceptual designs to help ensure the project is successful.
Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help!
- Danny Roosevelt (Broadway and Central Ave)
--
Danny Roosevelt
dannyroosevelt.com",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-09-12,78,,RecreationandParkCommission/2019-09-12.pdf