Central Park MASTER PLAN UPDATE CITY COUNCIL / PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 16, 2014

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE To present public outreach findings and resulting recommended planning objectives and concepts to City Council and Park & Recreation Commission To seek direction from City Council & Park & Recreation Commission on preferred concepts to incorporate into schematic design alternatives tonight’s goals 1 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE I.Background Research & Analysis II.Social Media & Public Notice III.Stakeholder & Community Meetings IV.Public Survey V.Recommendations tonight’s agenda 2 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE Review of all relevant background data: Historical context 1982 Master Plan 2004 Design Charrette Summary Downtown San Mateo plan Available infrastructure data Structural assessments Site inspections background research & analysis 3 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE social media & public notice Facebook Master Plan page on City’s website Town Hall site Project Information Cards Direct mailing of meeting notices Meeting/workshop posters Staff reached out to DSMA 4 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE MASTER PLAN PROESS stakeholder meetings VISION CONNECTION to DOWNTOWN PARKING 5 TH AVENUE CORRIDOR COMMUNITY CENTER FITZGERALD FIELD TENNIS COURTS PLAYGROUN D 5 of 16 Consider big ideas, this ‘good’ park has the potential to be a spectacular park Park is an important visual node at the end of downtown Maintain/increase parking underground, conserve green space Remove visual & physical barriers to the park, create civic space Expand/relocate to better serve City programs & Self- Help for the Elderly Modify/move field to open park to 5 th Avenue, keep outfield flexible space Poor condition, rebuild, consider relocation Redesign to make it a destination playground, make better use of the space 15 Stakeholder Interviews February 10 th & 11 th, 2014 Chosen to represent the primary user groups of the park, and other groups or organizations that had specialized input or experience related to the Park.

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE PARK HISTORY community meetings Four Public Meetings to date 1.Workshop #1 – Objectives and Features 2.Focus Group #1 – 5 th Avenue Edge 3.Focus Group #2 – Laurel Ave/9 th Ave 4.Focus Group #3 – Children’s Play Area Focused on forming clear goals, objectives and planning concepts for Central Park’s future Approximately 250 people have attended to date Subsequent meetings will provide the community with the opportunity to see how their feedback in- part shaped the Master Plan 6 of 16 Attendees at Workshop #1

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE workshop #1 Master Plan Update MARCH 25, 2014 approx. 70 people in attendance Information Presented: Park Background Opportunities & Constraints Questions were taken and answered Break-out Group Brainstorming Sessions 1.Goals & Objectives (Vision) 2.Desirable Features (Program) Priority-Setting Exercise FINDIN GS 7 of 16 Attendees participating in the priority-setting exercise Maintain/Enhance current activities/uses, make park buildings open to all, balance passive & active space, more cultural/art/community event spaces

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE focus groups #1 & #2 5 th Ave Edge Laurel Ave & 9 th 5 TH AVENUE EDGE APRlL 9, 201  Break-out Group Brainstorming Sessions: Strengthening the Connection of Central Park to Downtown San Mateo  Priority-Setting Exercise  Magnet Board – Central Park Puzzle  th Avenue Charrette - Priority-Setting Exercise  Nine Schematic Concepts FINDIN GS Expand & Relocate Rec Center, Look at pedestrian & community enhancements along 5 th Avenue Edge, Consider opening view by relocating/moving tennis & grandstands FINDIN GS Enhance & maintain green open space, address traffic & parking needs LAUREL & 9 TH APRIL 10, 2014  “What Do We Need to Know?”- Informal Discussion 8 of 16 Attendees reviewing community input.

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE DSMA Downtown San Mateo Association Meeting MAY 1, 2014 City Staff & RRM presented Provided an overview of the Master Plan and Public Outreach Process DSMA feedback on Strengthening the Connection of the Park to Downtown Participated in survey used during the May 3 rd Focus Group & the City’s Town Hall Site 9 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE focus group #3 Children’s Play Area SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 City Staff & RRM set up at the Central Park Playground Engaged parents & Children in exercises and discussions about the future of the play area & the park as a whole kids and nearly 50 adults participated Kids chose favorite play experiences Adults filled out Master Plan survey and gave feedback on the future of the play area FINDIN GS Both children & adults showed support for a natural play environment, water play and tower elements, increased safety & visibility 10 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE survey park planning objectives; planning concepts & features Created in order to reach out to folks who were unable to make the previous public meetings Survey created from the consolidated prioritized Park Planning Objectives & concepts Originated from Public Input and/or City objectives 11 of 16 FINDIN GS Feedback on this survey was consistent with the public input received at the public workshops & focus groups

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE town hall website 12 of 16 TOP IDEAS: PARK CONCEPTS & FEATURES

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE town hall website 13 of 16 TOP IDEAS: PARK OBJECTIVES

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE recommendations Maintain & Enhance Open Space Preserve & Enhance the historic character Create a more open “park-like” feel along 5 th Avenue Strengthen the physical & visual connection between the park & downtown Provide a variety of passive & active uses Enhance bike & pedestrian access Provide uses & space for multiple generations & demographics Objectives 14 of 16

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE recommendations Planning Concepts Incorporate a fountain as a focal point Incorporate art and historical and educational exhibits into spaces & facilities Create Plaza/Gathering space near 5 th Avenue Increase/Add performance areas (e.g., movies, dance performances) Enlarge and relocate Central Recreation Center within the park Make 5 th Ave./San Mateo Drive area pedestrian friendly & more open Improve gateways to park Move bleachers (rotate field) Reduce size of bleachers to open view into Park Relocate Tennis Courts away from 5 th Ave. (potentially to alternative site) Increase parking (below grade) 15 of 16 Distribute parking (less central) Expand park (land acquisition) Explore new locations and configurations for playground Consider future amenities and improvements along Laurel Avenue

CITY COUNCIL – PARK & RECREATION MEETING JUNE moving forward 16 of 16 Maintain & Enhance Open Space Preserve & Enhance the historic character Create a more open “park-like” feel along 5 th Avenue Strengthen the physical & visual connection between the park & downtown Provide a variety of passive & active uses Enhance bike & pedestrian access Provide uses & space for multiple generations & demographics OBJECTIVE S PLANNING CONCEPTS Obtain direction from City Council and Park & Recreation Commission on the recommended objectives and planning concepts. Incorporate a fountain as a focal point Incorporate art and historical and educational exhibits into spaces & facilities Create Plaza/Gathering space near 5 th Avenue Increase/Add performance areas (e.g., movies, dance performances) Enlarge and relocate Central Recreation Center within the park Make 5 th Ave./San Mateo Drive area pedestrian friendly & more open Improve gateways to park Move bleachers (rotate field) Reduce size of bleachers to open view into Park Relocate Tennis Courts away from 5 th Ave. (potentially to alternative site) Increase parking (below grade) Distribute parking (less central) Expand park (land acquisition) Explore new locations and configurations for playground Consider future amenities and improvements along Laurel Avenue