Clean and Well managed
Parks, Libraries and Community Centers

Clean and well-managed parks, libraries, and community centers are essential to ensuring the quality of San Jose neighborhoods that our residents are proud to live in. It is a vital responsibility of the City to make sure our public facilities are the best they can be. A number of very good suggestions have come from Councilmembers related to improvements to our facilities. As is always the case, however, we do not have all the resources that would allow us to complete every project that may be desired by our community.

The following is a list of specific projects my City Council colleagues and I funded in this year's budget totaling nearly $7.5 million:

• Pellier Park Renovation. Located at the Julian Street exit from Highway 87, this park is a gateway to downtown San Jose. Its renovation, will improve the visibility and appearance of the park for San Jose residents and visitors, and restore it as an interesting place of pride for its historical significance to community. (BD #13 -$350,000 RDA)
• Davis School Track Repairs and Upgrades. This project will enhance the quality of year-round recreational activities and events for more than 850 students at the school, as well as for student, youth, and community organizations, teams, and leagues that use the facilities. (BD #44 - $30,000)
• Southside Community Center Playground Equipment Replacement. Replacement of the existing deteriorating equipment will bring the center’s tot lot into compliance with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improve safety and appearance for children’s use, and meet City standards and requirements. (BD #45 - $225,000)
• Bernal and Anderson Baseball Field Improvements. Funding for this facility will support the recent expansion of youth baseball leagues at this site to include seventeen- and eighteen- year-old youths and inter-league activities. This expansion affects 29 teams and more than 500 young people now served by the league. In addition, the improvements will support Oak Ridge Little League’s efforts to provide low-cost organized recreational activities to the community. They will also benefit the children at schools where the fields are located, as well as the community that uses them when organized and programmed activities are not taking place. (BD # 26 - $22,000)
• Roosevelt Park Master Plan. The Roosevelt Park Master Plan issued in 1994 addresses the future needs for the park and the community it serves. I recommend funding to begin the next phase in the redevelopment of Roosevelt Park in the amount of $500,000 that will implement the Roosevelt Park Master Plan. The Redevelopment Agency and Councilmember Chavez should work with the community to determine the priority of expenditures of these funds within the context of approved Master Plan projects. (BD # 25 -$500,000 RDA)
• St. James Park. Although one of San Jose’s most historic and potentially grand parks, St. James remains underutilized, and many residents do not feel safe there. Updating and implementing the St. James Park Master Plan will lead to the improvement of the safety and appearance of the park and to greater public use, and it will reduce blight in the neighborhood. Pending a finding of primary benefit by the Agency Board, I recommend $1 million be allocated to begin improvements to this park and that Councilmember Chavez work with the community to determine the priority of expenditures of these funds within the context of approved Master Plan projects (BD # 26 -$1,000,000 RDA)
• Fischer Middle School Blacktop Replacement. This school serves as a vital gathering point for the Hillview and Dorsa community. Because Fischer does not have a gymnasium for indoor or neighborhood use, the blacktop area is the primary facility for neighborhood recreation activities, physical education, and after-school sports. These funds are needed to replace the blacktop surface entirely, which is currently in such disrepair that a focused replacement effort is required. I recommend that the City participate in a joint project with Alum Rock Union School District whereby the district will provide matching funds of at least $300,000. (contingent upon matching funds from the School District as outlined in BD # 42 - $300,000)
• Lyndale Community Recreational Facilities. Because there is a lack of suitable facilities in this neighborhood, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association should continue its efforts to identify a potential site for them. Councilmember Diaz recommended allocating Park Impact Fees through the Parks Trust Fund (Fund #375) for such purposes. In June 1999, the City Council approved a high-density housing development proposed by ROEM Development Corporation, and there are other proposed or approved housing projects in the vicinity. The Administration is directed to work with the City Attorney’s Office to determine if Park Impact Fees from these nearby housing projects for the acquisition and development of a community facility in this neighborhood is legal. Funding for this project would be limited to Park Impact Fees where legal unless additional District 5 Construction and Conveyance funds are appropriated. (BD #84 District 5 PTF)
• “Play for All” Playground on Curtner Avenue. This playground, adjacent to the Willows Senior Community Center, will be designed to serve the needs of our disabled community. The estimated total cost is $650,000, and Vice Mayor Fiscalini has budgeted $450,000 from the District 6 parks fund toward this project. Because this facility will become a citywide amenity, I recommend an additional $200,000 be appropriated to complete funding for this project. (BD # 84 - $200,000)
• South Central Swim Center. This community swim center will serve children and adults within their own neighborhood. Project will cost an estimated $5 million. The funding plan includes $2.8 million from the sale of the Children’s Shelter property; $300,000 from the Park Trust Fund reserves; $700,000 in PTF fees (from development of the Shelter site); and $600,000 from District 7’s Construction and Conveyance fund. This leaves a shortfall of $600,000. I recommend $600,000 from the Neighborhood Investment Fund for this project. (BD # 12 - $600,000 includes $476,000 in funds from miscellaneous surplus property sales.)
• Doerr Park Restroom Renovations. The ceilings and interiors of the restrooms in the Doerr Park need comprehensive repairs and upgrades. Although the building structures are still in relatively usable conditions, immediate restoration is required to maintain public health standards and to avoid further deterioration. I recommend $200,000 to renovate the restroom interiors, preserving the murals painted by the community on the exterior walls. (BD #36 - $200,000)
• Houge Park Tot/Youth Lot Renovations. The Houge Park Neighborhood Association has identified the tot and youth lots in the park as a high priority for refurbishing. I recommend a total of $250,000 to upgrade the playground equipment in both lots, renovate their play surfaces, address drainage issues, and provide upgrades to comply with ADA. (BD #36 - $250,000)
• Lone Hill Park Tot/Youth Lot and Restroom Renovations. The restrooms in the Lone Hill Park require complete replacement. City staff also has found that the existing tot and youth lots at this park need refurbishing and upgrades. This proposal requests a total of $250,000 to upgrade the playground equipment in both lots, renovate their play surfaces, address drainage issues, and provide upgrades for ADA. (BD # 36 - $400,000)
• Camden Lifetime Activity Center. This well-used facility provides year-round health, fitness, sports, and social activities for residents of all ages. I recommend the following improvements: I would recommend the use of Proposition 12 funds for the construction of these projects and $100,000 from the General Fund to cover any engineering and/or bid preparation costs needed this coming fiscal year.
• Rehabilitation of the second wing. I recommend the priority allocation of Proposition 12 funds for this project to accommodate the growing needs of the community. All the buildings other than the second wing have already been rehabilitated to make them useable. (BD # 33 - $934,500 Proposition 12 funds)
• Camden Teen Center. This facility provides a safe meeting place for San José youths from age 12 to 19. Most activities are free or at very low cost to San José residents. Growth in service demands now exceeds the capacity of current facility, and part of the Teen Center needs repair and renovation. I recommend the priority allocation of Proposition 12 funds of $232,500 to renovate classrooms at the Teen Center and convert the adjacent Room 113 to serve growing neighborhood demand for meeting facilities. (BD #34 -$232,500 Prop 12 funds)
• Parking. City staff recently determined that project modifications now require $30,000 more than the original estimate of $325,000, including the addition of 50 to 60 vehicle spaces in the turf area behind the gym. The addition of 30 to 40 vehicle spaces in the front lot along the Union Avenue were recommended by the Camden Center Master Plan, but have remained unfunded since 1997. Engineering and construction of both parking lots simultaneously will enhance operational efficiency and reduce overall project costs compared to doing them separately. ($305,000 Proposition 12 funds)
• New scoreboard and shot clock in the gym. This includes removal and replacement of the old scoreboard, replacement of side baskets with glass backboards and breakaway nets, addition of new strap assemblies for backboards, and the rewiring of all backboards. (BD #37 & 38 - $338,000 Proposition 12 funds)
• Almaden Winery Park. When the Almaden Winery Neighborhood was developed, there were only enough funds available in the turnkey park agreement to develop a small portion of the park for community use. The park currently has large unfinished sections remaining from the winery that originally occupied this location thirty years ago. Broken and unused asphalt pads and unfinished walkways detract from the natural beauty of this park. The requested funds would be used to correct these conditions and upgrade the appearance for the surrounding neighborhood. (BD # 98 - $185,000)
• San Jose Conservation Corps. This program has trained more than 5,000 young men and women since it was established in 1987. The current $6,000 allocation per Council district for maintenance and landscape services has helped provide job training and cost-effective fee-for-service conservation work in neighborhood parks and open space. The Corps has helped at-risk youth become responsible adults through education and work programs. The proposed budget increase is the first in 13 years, and it is an investment both in our young people and in our neighborhood open space. I recommend that the budget for the San Jose Conservation Corps be increased from $6,000 to $12,000 to provide for landscape maintenance services for citywide parks and creeks. (BD #64 - $60,000 citywide park C&C fund)
• Almaden Valley Parks. Old and deteriorating youth and tot lots in this neighborhood have generated numerous resident complaints about the condition and safety of playgrounds. Funds would be used to upgrade the tot and youth lots to current standards for safety and ADA accessibility requirements at Thousand Oaks, Playa Del Rey, Cahalan, Almaden Meadows, and Graystone Parks. (BD #99 - $656,000)
• Leyva/Meadowfair Center. A new facility would serve youth, adults, and seniors in these two neighborhoods with programs that may include ESL and citizenship classes, youth enrichment and mentoring programs, and computer labs. The RDA’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan has identified this as an area for the City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative. The two neighborhood groups in this area have already asked that a community/youth center project be included as neighborhood priorities are established, which would be in alignment with the San Jose Schools/City Collaborative. The development of a community facility should be referred to the community process once the Strong Neighborhood/RDA project area is fully established.
• Parks Capital Improvement Plan. For the preparation of next year’s Parks Capital Improvement Plan, the Administration is directed to display anticipated turnkey projects in the five-year CIP.
• Mount Pleasant High School Athletic Field Improvements. By providing matching funds and becoming partners with the East Side Union High School District for the development of an athletic field for the school and the community, the City will be assisting the surrounding schools and neighborhoods in the Mount Pleasant area. The total cost for the project is $1,841,324. The school district will commit to matching the City’s investment for this project. I recommend matching City funds up to, $920,662 depending on the final resolution of the ending fund balance and the state budget. The inclusion of lights in this project should be contingent upon a community outreach process to determine impacts and receive support from neighbors. (contingent upon matching funds from the School District as outlined in BD #47 - $920,662 EFB/S funds)