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Impact to Activities and Ambiance at Alviso Adobe Community Park. The Park and <br /> Recreation Commission felt that the proposed parking would introduce too much activity <br /> next to the park and felt this would detract from the park experience. It was suggested <br /> that some of the parking proposed along Old Foothill Road closest to the center of the <br /> park be eliminated. While this is possible, staff questions the true impact of new visitors <br /> to the area on the experience at the park and believes that the loss of additional new <br /> parking diminishes the effectiveness of the project. <br /> Dolores Bengston has stated that the new visitors to the trail will also disrupt current <br /> activities at the park. A summary of the current activities provided by the City at the <br /> Alviso Adobe Community Park is provided in Attachment 4. Castleridge Trail users are <br /> expected to use the new trailhead primarily in the spring, summer and fall evenings and <br /> all day on Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Programs that occur during those <br /> times include 33 two-hour weekend programs from 11am - 1pm or 1pm - 3pm (mostly in <br /> non-summer months), and seven special events that occur on pre-determined Saturday <br /> throughout the year. Community Services staff have indicated that the existing parking <br /> for the summer programs is typically adequate or could be adequate for the summer <br /> programs. (Some users already choose to use Old Foothill Road for drop off.) Parking <br /> for the special events already utilizes parking along Old Foothill Road and other off-site <br /> parking. Reservation of the new Old Foothill parking spaces by the City for the special <br /> event attendees would require planning ahead for these events. This could be <br /> accomplished through posting of temporary signage and monitoring by City staff. <br /> The recently adopted Alviso Adobe Community Park Strategic Plan identifies the vision <br /> and the mission of the Park as follows: <br /> Vision-The Alviso Adobe Community Park will be celebrated as a valued historical and <br /> environmental treasure, with popular interpretive and educational programs, dynamic <br /> exhibits and special events that serve the entire community. <br /> Mission-The Alviso Adobe Community Park provides a peaceful, rural setting where <br /> visitors can explore local history, learn about the environment, and enjoy a variety of <br /> both interpretative and interactive programs and events." <br /> The plan states that "future integration with the Austin property should be guided by and <br /> aligned with the vision and mission of the Alviso Adobe Community Park," and that <br /> continued cooperation and partnership with East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) <br /> and other properties should be guided by and aligned with the vision and mission of the <br /> Alviso Adobe Community Park." The plan also states that the City should "explore <br /> opportunities to connect the park with the local trail network, nearby open space and <br /> adjacent properties to further support the park's vision and mission and enhance <br /> awareness of its assets and interpretive programs." Staff believes that the proposed <br /> improvements envisioned in the MOU are consistent with the Strategic Plan. <br /> Pedestrian Crossing of Foothill Road. Several individuals have indicated they believe a <br /> pedestrian crossing of Foothill Road to the Alviso Adobe Community Park is necessary. <br /> Staff does not disagree but maintains that such a project would be completed by the <br /> City and that the project is independent of the MOU. <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br />