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Home My WebLink AboutParks & Rec Master Plan Steering Committee 2022-05-25 MinutesSAN RAFAEL CITYWIDE PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN May 25th, Steering Committee Meeting #2 STEERING COMMITTEE, MEETING #2 – Meeting Minutes May 25, 2022 (6:00pm-8:00pm) Meeting Purpose Steering Committee Meeting #2 Location Zoom Attendance Name Organization Member/Alternate Catherine Quffa City of San Rafael NA April Miller City of San Rafael NA Lauren Ivey-Thomas RHAA NA Kela Cabrales San Rafael Park & Recreation Commission Member Robert Sandoval San Rafael Park & Recreation Commission Alternate Tim Park San Rafael ADA Access Advisory Committee Member Ashley Tomerlin San Rafael ADA Access Advisory Committee Alternate Kate Powers San Rafael Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Member Susie Pollak Age-Friendly Community Partnership Member Andrei Pasternak Orcas Swim Team Member Matt Foley Orcas Swim Team Alternate Meg Reilly Marin Society of Artists Member Rich Storek Canal Arts Alternate Paul Jensen Marin Conservation League Member Dan Zaich San Rafael City School Member Ian McLorg Marin County Parks Member Joe McCallum Chamber of Commerce Member I. INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT a. Document Review i. General Plan 2040 ii. Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 2018 iii. Parking and Wayfinding Study 2019 iv. Downtown Precise Plan 2021 v. Additional planning documents/reports relevant to City parks and recreation b. Parks Inventory i. Parks/Open Space – According to General Plan 2040 1. 12 neighborhood parks, 6 pocket parks, 3 community parks, 3 special-use parks, 2 community gardens, 1 open space ii. Conditions 1. Many parks constructed in mid-20th century (60-70yrs old), 3 parks originally built in the 19th century (close to 100yrs old), strategic park development and enhancement/renovation from the 1990s to present 2. Initial needs include: updated playground amenities per code and accessibility, renovated sport courts, improved signage, infrastructure repairs and replacement c. Facilities Inventory i. Recreation facilities 1. Albert J. Boro Community Center, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael Community Center, Terra Linda Community Center ii. Conditions SAN RAFAEL CITYWIDE PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN May 25th, Steering Committee Meeting #2 1. Large range in age, construction type, and recreation provided, strategic and continuous enhancement and renovation 2. Initial needs include: water intrusion, aging mechanical equipment, outdated electrical distribution, door and window replacement, moveable partition repairs painting and finishes, exterior wood deck replacements d. Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Assessment i. Initial accessibility report is in progress for City parks and open space e. Recreation Assessment i. Initial Findings: a. Aging facilities with limited space, parking, sport fields, and joint-use agreements b. Limited program growth and long- range program planning c. Deferred maintenance impacts program opportunities - sport fields, sport courts, etc. d. Limited asset management planning to track lifecycle costs e. Limited staffing and funding II. COMMUNITY OUTREACH a. Survey Results Overview i. Statistically Valid Survey – 3/7/22-3/10/22, 575 responses ii. Parks and Recreation Questionnaire – 3/30/22-5/31/22, 1,100 responses iii. Emerging Themes from surveys 1. Overall, the community is satisfied with the City’s existing supply of, and access to, parks and recreation facilities and programs, however many community members are unaware of the City’s programmatic offerings. 2. There is a strong desire to update and improve the City’s existing park amenities, particularly in modernizing playgrounds and recreation amenities such as benches, picnic tables, etc. as well as repairing failing infrastructure. 3. There is a strong desire for improved maintenance and cleanliness of the City’s parks. 4. The community is interested in pedestrian access throughout the City’s recreation network – walking is a priority. 5. The community is interested in supporting self-directed recreation activities. b. Community Meeting #1 – held 4 times with similar format i. San Rafael Community Center 1. 3/30 6pm 2. About 35 attendees 3. Presentation, questions, breakout exercise ii. Terra Linda Community Center 1. 4/28 6pm 2. 3 attendees 3. Presentation, questions and discussion iii. Virtual 1. About 8-10 attendees 2. Presentation, questions and discussion iv. Albert J. Boro Community Center 1. 5/11 6pm 2. 50-60 attendees 3. Station-oriented activities III. QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION a. Committee members shared the following: SAN RAFAEL CITYWIDE PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN May 25th, Steering Committee Meeting #2 i. Discussion around whether additional City-owned, open space properties should be included in this Master Plan 1. Properties will be identified with collaboration from Paul Jensen, former San Rafael Community Development Director ii. Accessibility of recreation programs should be assessed in the Master Plan iii. Repair of infrastructure should be in alignment with green initiatives of General Plan 2040 iv. Distribution of parks should be considered in needs assessment to provide parks and recreation services in higher need areas v. The Master Plan should emphasize the City’s parks as a connected network in San Rafael vi. The Master Plan should cross-reference previous City planning initiatives to be in alignment with previous City planning vii. The Master Plan should be brought to the San Rafael ADA Access Advisory Committee viii. The Master Plan should consider new development and how it will impact the parks and recreation network ix. The Master Plan should be flexible so that it is responsive to the evolving San Rafael community x. The Master Plan should be realistic in its recommendations and implementation, but should consider ‘big ticket’ items as well xi. The Master Plan should have equitable community involvement, particularly in the Canal community IV. NEXT STEPS a. Steering Committee members will be provided: i. Inventory Report ii. Document Review Report iii. Summary of Statistically Valid Survey and Parks and Recreation Questionnaire results iv. Summary of Community Outreach – community meetings, stakeholder meetings b. Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis