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BACKGROUND The construction of Bernal Community Park Phase 1 is currently underway, and should be complete and opened for public use in summer, 2009. Two (2) lighted and one (1) unlit baseball diamonds, parking for 106 vehicles, restrooms, a central plaza area, play apparatus area, and numerous other amenities will be provided as part of this construction phase. Bernal Community Park, Phase 2 will follow the Master Plan design prepared by M. D. Fotheringham, Landscape Architect, and approved by the City Council in May, 2006. Phase 2 will provide three (3) lighted all-weather synthetic fields, parking for approximately 150 vehicles in two (2) satellite lots, a restroom/snack-bar building, play apparatus areas, lighted pathways and connections to trails. The project also proposes development of a portion of the oak woodland area to provide a passive open-space buffer between the active portion of the park and residential development located to the west. Through a formal selection process involving staff and a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the firm of Harris Design, Landscape Architects of Oakland, is being recommended to develop the construction documents for this second phase. The proposed Scope of Work from Harris Design is complete, and outlines the process of design development that would result in contract documents suitable for competitive bidding. A copy of the Agreement for Consultant Services, including a list of sub- consultants, is attached for the Council's review. DISCUSSION This phase of Bernal Community Park has been eagerly anticipated for some time, as it will relieve pressure from the only other lighted field for youth sports at Bernal Upper Fields by providing much-needed all-weather soccer fields. The fields at Bernal Upper Field Park are now heavily used by the neighborhood, softball, baseball, soccer and Horizon High School. One of the goals of the Council's 2007/08 Work Plan was to evaluate the potential conversion of Bernal Upper Fields from natural turf to a synthetic, all-weather type surface. In an effort to gauge neighborhood reaction to any proposed changes to the Bernal Upper Field site, staff and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Teddy Kinzer facilitated a community meeting on June 9, 2008, at Hearst Elementary School. The meeting was attended by approximately 50 people. After establishing the purpose of the meeting, the discussion that ensued among attendees was constructive, and the following issues were raised: • Traffic mitigation: If a conversion of the field was made, additional play would likely occur due to the nature of the surface. The park is currently closed during inclement weather, and from January-March for yearly maintenance. Page 2 of 3