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Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Committee Agenda Report August 22, 2022 Item 6 SUBJECT: REVIEW THE PUBLIC OUTREACH RESULTS AND PROVIDE INPUT ON THE LIONS WAYSIDE AND DELUCCHI PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE SUMMARY The City began planning for the renovation of Lions Wayside and Delucchi parks in 2006 following the construction of the Firehouse Arts Center and the acquisition of the regional trail corridor from Alameda County (the downtown abandoned railroad property). In 2014, City Council adopted the Lions Wayside and Delucchi Parks Master Plan. However, the Master Plan design was not supported by the regulatory agencies and staff had to work with the agencies to determine a design that met their needs, while also meeting the goals and objectives of the public outreach process which occurred during preparation of the Master Plan. In late 2018 and early 2019, four alternative concepts were presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council for consideration. A concept plan was selected as the preferred alternative by both the Commission and City Council, but both groups also provided comments for improvement. The City purchased the two properties, 4363 and 4377 First Street immediately east and adjacent to Lions Wayside Park in late 2019. Then in early 2020 the city was forced to remove the giant blue gum eucalyptus growing in Lions Wayside Park due to safety concerns. The selected concept plan was revised to include the Commission’s and Council’s input and to incorporate both the acquired properties and removal of the eucalyptus tree. The revised concept plan was then presented to the regulatory agencies at two separate meetings in 2021. Staff received positive feedback from the regulatory agencies based on the revised design and presented the concept to the Parks and Recreation Commission on February 10, 2022, and to City Council on April 12, 2022. The Commission and City Council both approved of the concept plan. City Council directed staff to conduct public outreach to seek community comments and concerns regarding the plan. Public outreach began on May 11, 2022, when the community survey was posted. Two outreach events and one public meeting were also held. The conceptual plan primarily received positive feedback and support, although several residents were concerned with the project costs, felt some design modifications were required, or were opposed to the project.