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BACKGROUND The 2014 Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified that the city was currently (in 2013) deficient in skate facilities by a half -acre and that an additional 1 -acre skatepark would be necessary once the city reached 78,000 residents — the projected build -out of the city at the time. To meet the needs of the community, the master plan recommended adding another skatepark at Ken Mercer Sports Park adjacent to the existing skatepark. At its February 14, 2019 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission identified a new skatepark as their number two priority based on the level of support for the skatepark as expressed by the community at the meeting. City Council adopted the skatepark as a priority for the 2019-2021 budget cycle with funding for design services slated for Fiscal Year 2020/21. In 2020 City staff visited skateparks in the surrounding area, including Fremont, Newark, and Milpitas, to better understand the challenges, successes, design features, and operation of those skateparks Additionally, staff evaluated various sites in the city, including Ken Mercer Sports Park, Bernal Community Park, the proposed Staples Ranch Park site, and the city's other community parks to determine the best location for a potential skatepark. On November 10, 2020, staff presented the top location options (Ken Mercer Sports Park and Bernal Community Park) to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council explore an additional skatepark at Ken Mercer Sports Park. On December 1, 2020, City Council directed staff to proceed with the design of a 1 -acre skatepark with lighting at Ken Mercer Sports Park. Staff advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), conducted interviews with top-ranked firms, and City Council approved the contract with the top-ranked firm, RRM Design Group, on March 16, 2021, Together with RRM Design Group, City staff proceeded with the public outreach component of the project, including: 1. Creating a website (www.r)leasantonskater)ark.com) that is regularly updated 2. Creating a social media Instagram account to increase engagement and feedback 3. Completing a topographic survey and a geotechnical engineer's report 4. Hiring an arborist to complete a tree assessment 5. Holding three stakeholder meetings (one with local skateboarders, one with spnrt group users, and one with Hopyard Village businesses) 6. Holding one virtual community outreach workshop 7. Conducting one community -wide survey 8. Holding several Zoom calls with local skateboarding advocates Two conceptual designs were created based on the survey, geotechnical engineer's report, tree assessment, and public feedback. The concepts were presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission on August 12, 2021, to the public at Public Event#1 Page 2of5