City ff Redwood City

From Hearts To Arts:

In Spring 2003, the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, partnered with Kainos Home and Training Center to provide an opportunity for developmentally disabled adults to experience the joy, camaraderie and fulfillment of expressing themselves through art, in a caring and safe environment. Through Redwood City’s Accessible Recreation Activities Program (ARAP), 15 developmentally disabled adults met each Wednesday evening to create their paintings and the results were astounding – the bold colors and unique designs offered a glimpse into the different personalities, emotions, and life stories of each artist. The ten-week class was instructed by Judy Gittlesohn, whose own work is collected and exhibited around the world in both private and corporate collections.

The heartwarming efforts of these students were celebrated on June 11, 2003 at the “From Hearts To Arts” exhibit and reception at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center. The students’ artworks were made available for public purchase and all proceeds supported future Redwood City art programs for people with various abilities.

Throughout the duration of the class, April Funiestas, a volunteer viedographer, documented the students’ progress and the finished video was then revealed at the June 11th art exhibit.

The objective of the “From Heart To Art” Program was to promote creative expressions for people of various abilities. Often time’s people with developmental disabilities have difficulties expressing themselves through verbal or written forms. Expressing themselves through more artistical means is often times preferred, yet not often offered.

As a result of this initial painting class, several other creative expressions classes are now being promoted including a Drama class, Arts and Crafts class, and a new class starting in January 2004 titled “Dance, Drum, and Fun” which will encourage participants to get in touch with their inner rhythm and spirit.

Redwood City’s ARAP has been providing recreational activities for people with physical and/or developmental disabilities for the past 20 years. The primary goal of ARAP is to enable these individuals to have a meaningful, productive, and most importantly, fun recreational experiences. ARAP offers opportunities for participants to work on physical, social, and life skills in a fun, safe, and comforting environment. The “From Hearts To Arts” program exemplifies everything that ARAP strives to provide for our community.

City of San Carlos

“CLUB ED”:

In 1998, San Carlos Parks & Recreation partnered with the San Carlos Elementary School District to create a new program of summer specialty camps and classes for youth that would guarantee fun and learning at the same time. Parks & Recreation contracted with school district teachers, on a percentage basis, helped them develop camp ideas, scheduled classroom space at the various school sites, and publicized the program in the Recreation Activity Guide.

Over the years, one and two-week specialty camps have been held in aviation, science, math, computers, Shakespeare, cooking, time travel, authors, poetry, dinosaurs, Art in Action, sign language, Lego engineering and more.

As we celebrate our 7th summer of Club Ed programming in 2004, over 3,000 youngsters have enjoyed the benefits of these adventures in learning, and the department has generated an additional $150,000 in revenue. It’s been a win-win for all and a partnership that both parties are committed to continue to benefit our community.

Youth Assets Initiative, City of San Carlos:

“What Kids Need to Succeed” or “The 40 Developmental Youth Assets Approach to Youth Development” is an important initiative in San Carlos. Developed and researched by the Search Institute of Minnesota, the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council has adopted this approach to increase assets in our youth. The Youth Advisory Council has been instrumental in giving Youth a voice in the community and has allowed San Carlos an opportunity to embrace positive youth development in community organizations, schools, businesses, faith institutions and city programs. The YAC informs and works along side adults in the community to spread the message of positive asset building and of positive role modeling; youth working with adults to make San Carlos a better place for all citizens. The Youth Advisory Council and Youth Development staff sponsored a youth assets survey conducted last year in the local high schools and middle schools. The surveys were given to 7th and 10th graders. The Youth Advisory Council and Youth Development Staff are now identifying new programs to develop that will build assets that were identified as needed in the surveys.

Youth having a voice in City affairs is very important to our policy makers. As such, the youth advisory board members now attend City Council appointed Commissions to include youth input in agenda item discussions. Youth Development staff and youth advisory board members have also been leading Youth Asset presentations in the community such as at Council meetings, Commission meetings, and school sites to forward the Youth Asset message and goals.

This vital and valuable program helps strengthen community image and sense of place, foster human development and facilitate community problem solving in San Carlos while empowering youth and promoting youth development for a healthy present and strong future.

City of San Jose
Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood

Alum Rock Youth Center:

The Alum Rock Youth Center is a 17,200 square foot youth center that will serve the residents of the Alum Rock community in east San José. It has a full gymnasium that doubles an as auditorium complete with stage lighting, a multi-purpose room that doubles as a stage, a wireless Homework Center with computers, a game room complete with pool, foosball, ping pong and air hockey tables, a classroom, and a student lounge.

The Center was developed as a result of concerns raised by community members about the lack of programs and facilities for youth in the area. The community members defined the area in need of Center services as the geographic corridor along White Road, from Story Road on the south to McKee Road on the north. As a result of the community mobilizing, Council member Manny Diaz initiated action to secure the commitment of $7.2 million from the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jose towards the design and construction of a youth center to meet the identified needs. Additional discussions were conducted between Council member Diaz, the Alum Rock Union School District and PACT (People Acting in Community Together), resulting in the identification of Pala Middle School located at 149 North White Road as the potential site for the youth center.

In the spring of 1998, the Department of Parks Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) led five meetings with various groups from the Alum Rock/ Pala community to determine the final location, needs, issues, and priorities that would drive the function and design of the youth center. These meetings included focus groups conducted at the local schools as well as two community wide meetings. Through these meetings and focus groups with the community and school personnel, the following parameters were identified:
• The development of this facility is intended to enhance the school’s capabilities by:
a. Providing school access for sports and physical education activities during
the hours that school is in session; and
b. Providing a central location for consolidating both existing and new youth
programs and services
• The youth center facility will support after school, evening, and weekend use by:
a. Providing a place for sports, arts, learning, cultural, and enrichment activities for
youth and their families;
b. Providing a place for youth to gather and socialize; and
c. Providing services that support and assist in the advancement and improvement of youth and family life skills.
• The facility will be designed to support maximum efficiency in relation to customer safety

In order to provide a continuous community input and review process in the design of the youth center, a Community Advisory Committee was established. The committee was lead by PRNS and chaired by the Council Member. The committee consisted of adult-community representation of the five geographic neighborhood areas that make up the Alum Rock/Pala area, and an equal portion of youth representing the same areas. The committee also had representatives from Community Based Organizations, the business community, and both Pala Middle and James Lick High Schools.

After the identification of the $7.2 million for this project, the committee was convened to prioritize the functions and design features of the facility in the event that down sizing would be necessary. As a result, the facility design priorities of the committee organized the division of the center into four specific function areas: 1) active areas, 2) passive areas, 3) administrative and common areas, and 4) outdoor areas.
Recently an article was written in the local paper about the project and one of the youth that was part of the Advisory Committee was quoted as saying “They did exactly what we asked for.” A Grand Opening was held on Monday, November 17th, 2003 for the Alum Rock Youth Center; that is when the dream became a reality for the Alum Rock/Pala community.

Another distinct feature of this Center is that it is being built on the campus of Pala Middle School. This is a unique partnership because most of the City’s youth centers are located on property owned by the City of San Jose. The City signed a lease with the Alum Rock Union School District for 30 years, with the flexibility for two 20-year automatic extensions. The City owns the building and the school district owns the land. In exchange for the ground lease, the City granted the school district $500,000 for field improvements at Pala School and also permission for the School District to use the gym during the day for P.E. classes and two nights a week for their athletic teams. James Lick High School is located right next to the Center and combined with the Pala middle school and 3 neighboring middle schools, the Center will have over 3,500 students to draw from to participate in their programs/activities. Youth clearly stated they wanted a place to call their own, a place where they could dance, sing, and perform and the architect took the youth and community’s vision and created design elements that meet the needs of the community.

The active areas provide rooms, spaces, and specific occupancy capacities where large events and physical activities can be conducted in the areas of sports, dancing, games, socialization, and performing arts and provides adequate space and seating for spectators. In addition, smaller spaces that can provide more intimate settings for performing arts, exercise and physically involved instruction, low-key games, and socialization. All rooms are situated in a manner adjacent to staff offices and/or reception areas with window view and/or line of site from workstations that provide for optimum supervision and security.

The passive area in the facility will not provide students with physical activity but rather a gathering place for youth to socialize, study, and have access to technology. The rooms that make up the passive area are the Homework Center, the classroom, and the student lounge. With a grant from 3Com, the Homework Center will be a wireless room. The lounge was designed with a student union concept in mind thus giving the opportunity for youth to study, read a book/magazine, or socialize in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Promoting Participation in Recreational Experiences:
The City of San Jose’s PRNS mission strives to connect communities of people by play, hope, and joy in life. The youth center gives neighborhood youth a place of their own, to play and connect together while participating in recreational and educational activities.

Strengthening Community Image and Sense of Place:
The Alum Rock Youth Center is located directly between James Lick High School and Pala Middle School. These two schools are in a very underserved neighborhood that is short on resources and recreational space. In the surrounding community, Alum Rock Youth Center stands as an architectural marvel that is by far the most visually stunning and beautiful building for miles. The public art that is displayed in and around the Center adds beauty and sense of accomplishment to the neighborhood, considering it was the youth in collaboration with the artist who designed the art pieces that adorn the facility. This aspect of the design also serves as a “buy-in” and creates a “sense of ownership” for everyone involved in the planning and building of Alum Rock. This in turn fosters a sense of place and belonging.

Facilitating Community Problem Solving:
This new youth Center will offer not only a place to come and play but also to interact with positive adult role models that are trained and prepared to help guide youth in their everyday lives. In addition to recreation and leisure activities, the Center and its staff are committed to developing strong community and school relationships. As a collaborative effort, the community, schools, and Center will benefit from the sharing of resources and information. The partnership with the school and Center will also aid in the identification in gaps in educational services at the schools that can be augmented by the Center’s education/computer lab. The link between the Center and the community will aid in addressing concerns and neighborhood problems by facilitating forums with community members to voice their issues and needs. The Center will bring together city cervices and resources and act as a “Hub” or “one stop” for citizens. Staff will be trained in referral services for community members who need them.

Strengthening Safety and Security:
With the Center and community’s involvement with the Mayors Gang Prevention Taskforce, community safety and awareness is elevated, which in turn, increases the community’s capacity for a sense of safety. When youth and community members are educated and made aware of the potential threats and resources in their community, it makes the feel safer about their surroundings. Through the development of a local Youth Advisory Council (city wide effort) and recruitment of community members to attend the MGPTF meetings, strengthening and building security can be accomplished in the Alum Rock service area. Being the only youth Center in the area, youth will begin to identify the Center as a safe place in times of need or danger. The Center will offer “positive’ programs that encourage safe practices that not only enrich youth’s physical well being but also the development of healthy, well-rounded youth.

Increasing Cultural Unity:
The Center draws its population from 1 high school and 4 middles schools. On the east side of San Jose, there are many cultural populations that rarely interact with each other. Vietnamese, Cambodian, Mexican, Central Americans, African Americans, and Indians all live in communities segregated by a lack of cultural awareness and interaction. There is also a high ethnically based gang population, which hinders youth’s ability to travel freely and interact across cultural lines in their neighborhoods. The Center will be a common ground for all cultures to recreate and breakdown those cultural barriers in a safe environment.

Protecting Environmental Resources:
The Center is also a “Green” facility. By maximizing natural light, and airflow, the Center will cut down on electric usage and in turn help conserve natural recourses while still maintaining a high level of service delivery. As stated before this building qualifies for a Silver LEED Certified rating by the USGBC, however due to lack of funds during the design phase it was decided to forgo the certification process.

The Alum Rock Youth Center is an active member of the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force (MGPTF). As Part of the MGPTF, staff and community members attend a monthly meeting with local Police officers, Probation officers, Parents, Schools, and community based organization to exchange information (New Gangs/trends/drugs), climate (what are some hot spots/troublesome areas), and receive training (awareness/conflict mediation) on issues that impact youth in the City of San Jose. The partnership with the MGPTF greatly enhances the Center’s ability to pro-actively plan for potentially dangerous situation in the community. It also helps staff work with at-risk youth and youth in general to keep them safe at home, school, in the neighborhood, and at the Center through the exchange of information shared at the MGPTF monthly meetings.

City of Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale Senior Center:

A dream came true in the City of Sunnyvale on July 19, 2003 with the Grand Opening celebration of the new 23,000 square foot Senior Center! The striking architectural design of the building creates an awe inspiring visual impact. The Senior Center is now integrated within the Community Center campus. Older adults in the community have flocked to the new center; over 1,000 new members have joined the Senior Center since the building opened in July. The center has commanding views of the beautiful park and fountain, and is situated adjacent to Heritage Orchard Park. Sunnyvale Senior Center offers: a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, billiard room, state-of-the-art fitness center, creative arts center, counseling rooms, administrative office areas, and an inviting Oak Lounge.

The older adult population has grown significantly over the past decade, and will represent an increasingly large segment of Sunnyvale’s population as the new millennium progresses. The percentage of adults in over 55 years of age comprised 18.5% of Sunnyvale’s residents in 1980, and increased to 19.3% in 1990. It is estimated this group now accounts for 22.3% of the population, and will continue to increase to 28.3% by 2010. This increase will have a dramatic impact on the nature of leisure service delivery systems.

In July 1998, the City Council voted 6-0 to build a 23,000 square-foot, single-story Senior Center next to the existing Sunnyvale Community Center. On March 19, 2002, a contract was awarded to Thompson Pacific Construction, Inc., and on April 24, 2002, the City broke ground and began construction on the new Sunnyvale Senior Center.

Community involvement was solicited through direct contact with older adult groups, the Senior Center Advisory Committee, Senior Center members and residents living adjacent to the Community Center complex.

In November of 1999, Gerontological Services, Inc. (GSI) developed a Needs Assessment survey in conjunction with representatives of the City of Sunnyvale and the project architects, The Steinberg Group. The written survey was distributed to participants of the existing Sunnyvale Senior Center to assist in decision-making for the programming of facilities and services at the new Center. A total of 399 surveys were returned by participants, and were computerized and analyzed.

The City of Sunnyvale selected a high level of quality of materials, finishes, and equipment. The exterior finishes include large expanses of glass, exterior finishes with brick and stone and expressive building forms with enhanced architectural detail. The interior boast upgraded finishes with wood paneling, wood flooring trim, and molding details, higher quality heating, and air conditioning systems offering greater flexibility and longer life. The interior design includes lavish, better quality furniture and equipment throughout the building. The quality of materials and equipment chosen has an impact on future operational or replacement costs.

The project characteristics include: 4500 square foot multipurpose room that seats 500 with stage and full commercial kitchen. The Senior Center offers a wide variety of functions including: classrooms and meeting rooms, computer lab, counseling rooms, billiard room, creative arts room, fitness room, and lounge areas. The Sunnyvale Senior Center has a “Main Street” approach to interior circulation, which organizes programs around naturally day lit central axis. The building is nestled into existing berm, which minimizes impact to park.

The Capital Budget for the Senior Center project was $10 M 200 K. The Senior Center generates some revenue through membership fees of $12.00 per year for residents of Sunnyvale, and $18.00 per year for non-residents. Currently, membership entitles seniors to have use of the fitness room, billiards room, lounge areas, and participate in programs and activities. Fees are charged for classes, trips, dances, and lunch program. Given the current budget crisis, the City subsidy for Senior Center programs may need to be reduced, and increases in fees may be necessary.

The new Sunnyvale Senior Center is a landmark in the community and has moved the City of Sunnyvale towards a stronger role with older adults in the community.

City of San Jose

Watson Dog Park:

The Watson Dog Park promotes the mission of parks and recreation by providing residents with a beautiful place to meet their neighbors and strengthen community through their common interest. Canine and human health and wellness is supported: dogs get the exercise they need when they run “off leash” and humans have a stress-free opportunity to enjoy their leisure and meet new friends. Cultural unity is supported when residents of all ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds come together to exercise and socialize their dogs. Their pets become a catalyst for conversation and residents build understanding through their new friendships.

The 1.25-acre Watson Dog Park was designed by Dillon Design Associates and constructed by Boulder Rock Landscape Construction, for a total cost of $316,000. The project scope includes a fenced, off-leash dog area with accommodations that provide separation for large and small dogs. Amenities include over an acre of Bermuda turf, an unleashing area, drinking water for dogs and owners, seating areas, and garbage cans with dog waste bag dispensers available.

The purpose of the dog park is to provide dog owners the space required for allowing their dogs to run off leash providing benefits for the dog and their owners alike. The initiation of this project was a result of strong community driven support/demand from dog owners, matched with City Council and PRNS support. The benefits of this project include increased exercise and socialization for the dogs, a “legal” outlet for owners to let their dog’s run, and increased owner awareness of dog behavioral, health and care issues. The latter are direct results of the human socialization and resource sharing that takes place in a dog park environment

Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department and the Public Works Department worked with an extremely interested dog owner community who brought their ideas and enthusiasm to the process of creating this park. The 13th Street Strong Neighborhood Advisory Committee and the Friends of Watson Park participated in the planning process. The project officially had three community meetings, which were publicly noticed throughout the adjacent park neighborhood, as well as through Council Office and department e-mail lists. The scope of the project was very much the result of public input regarding park surfacing and amenities.
The Watson Dog Park features double gates at the entrance (for dog safety), water stations with built-in drainage, benches, picnic tables, poop bag stations, a 5 foot tall perimeter fence, a bulletin board and an enormous shade tree, commonly known as the “Tree of Heaven”, at the center of the park. Dog park rules are posted at the site.

Although it is considered a luxury for a dog park to have grass, the Watson Dog Park features two areas of grass, fenced to separate large and small dogs. The park was constructed outside of the City of San Jose’s recommended 100 ft. riparian setback in relation to the nearby Coyote Creek. The turf type selected is a drought tolerant Bermuda grass, which will be irrigated by reclaimed water service. Over the entire 1.25-acre dog park and the additional public access route, the only impermeable surfacing added was concrete for the unleashing and water fountain areas, approximately 300 square feet. The only existing tree on the site was preserved and a dozen additional sycamore trees were added to the site.

The Watson Dog Park was funded through the Measure P Bond Project. The park will be added to parks currently maintained through general funds. The turf selected is drought tolerant Bermuda species, which is irrigated by reclaimed water brought into the site. Park furnishings and concrete areas are adjacent to water sources for ease of cleaning. The park lawn areas, though separated by fencing, do have a series of gates, which will allow staff to renovate one area, while leaving other areas open to the public. As part of the community process and now in current usage, a strategy of further closing off areas of turf with temporary fencing for maintenance purposes was not only accepted by the dog owners, but also strongly supported. The users of the park have been very supportive of minor inconveniences to daily use when the pay off is a well-maintained facility. The park users are active members of the department’s Adopt-A-Park program and provide many hours supporting our maintenance efforts.

City of South San Francisco

South San Francisco BART/Linear Park Master Plan:

1. Describe your agency and the population you serve.

The City of South San Francisco has a population of approximately 63,000. In addition to residents, the department serves many individuals from neighboring communities. The population reflects the tremendous economic and ethnic diversity of the Bay Area. Participants are all ages, and have a wide variety of interests, skill levels, and needs.

Services provided by the Recreation and Community Services Department includes licensed pre-school and after school programs, summer camps, year-round operation of an indoor swimming pool, enrichment classes, sports and athletics, licensed adult day care, senior programs, facility and picnic rentals. Parks planning is accomplished by collaboration between the Recreation and Community Services Department and the Maintenance Services Department, which prior to 2003 were combined as Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Services.

2. Describe the program/project being considered. Include a brief history of the program/project, the planning process, duration, program/project goals and philosophy, staff and volunteer’s involvement and the cross section of the population served.

The extension of BART’s rapid transit service from Colma to Millbrae opened in 2003. The majority of the BART line through South San Francisco is sub-surface, leaving a wide swath of undeveloped land that cannot be used for structures. This created a challenge for maintenance of the 2.85-mile long, 50-foot wide corridor of land, which the City of South San Francisco seized as an opportunity for a new multi-use bikeway and linear park. With BART planning on constructing a continuous bike path along this corridor, the City would like to enhance the pathway with landscape features such as turf areas, shade and accent trees, shrub groupings, seating areas, trail connections, improved street crossings, signage, and more.

Planning steps on this concept began as early as 1996 when BART acquired the necessary right of way to build the extension; approval of an agreement with BART in 1997 relating to the construction of the BART line; discussion of the linear park in the City’s General Plan adopted in 1999; environmental review of the linear park concept by BART in 2002; the city’s successful application for a $75,000 planning grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTC) for funds to prepare a Master Plan. The firm of Callander Associates was retained to engage the public and major stakeholders in a comprehensive planning process that resulted in the attached Master Plan document.

With regard to the cross section of staff and the public involved in developing the Master Plan, a series of three public workshops were held to inform the public about the project and process, determining desired park elements, and to review and refine the design plans. A broad cross-section of agency representatives and stakeholders were invited to provide input, including the school district, Boys and Girls Club, Parks and Recreation Commission, Beautification Committee, and private property owners. Staff participation included the project steering committee, planning, engineering, fire, police, and maintenance to ensure input and agreement.

3. Describe the innovative nature of the program/project submitted for consideration. Why is it unique? Include the reason the program/project was established. List any interagency cooperation and what community needs the program/project fills.

South San Francisco is an urbanized area, with little land available for new parks. However, as identified in our Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan of 1990 and updated in 1997, more developed parkland per capita is needed. The potential Linear Park would be a unique opportunity to create a new open space and recreational amenity that would run from one end of our city to the other. This is a unique, if not unheard of, opportunity in an established and built-out community to add approximately 17 acres of new parkland.

The reason this project was initiated was to accommodate walkers, joggers, strollers, and bicyclists to link with schools, shopping, and BART stations, and to enjoy safe pathways and amenities for recreation and exercise. Development of the linear park would also beautify the community, increase property values for adjacent properties, and enhance community image.

Extensive inter-agency cooperation was coordinated in the Master Plan process. Partners included the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTC), BART, SamTrans, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), the Flood Control District, and the City and County Area Governments (C/CAG).

4. Describe how the program/project is funded. Include any outside funding sources. Describe if the program project has reduced the agency’s costs or generated revenue.

The development of the South San Francisco/BART Linear Park Master Plan was funded by a $75,000 planning grant, which the city successfully competed for from the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. Significant in-kind city staff resources have also been invested.

Construction of the entire linear park, complete with all the desired amenities, is estimated to cost $6.6 million dollars. The city does not currently have sufficient funds to undertake such a project. However, the Master Plan identifies a phased construction approach, and the completion of the Plan has positioned the city to apply for funds to construct segments. In 2002 the city was successful in receiving a $100,000 grant of Transportation Development Act Article 3 funds administered by C/CAG for the construction of the first element: a safe bicycle/pedestrian crossing across Orange Avenue at the point where two segments of the Linear Park meet. The city has recently submitted applications for competitive grant funding through Proposition 40 Murray-Hayden and Urban Parks programs. If developer fees are received for Park-in-Lieu funds, the Master Plan will again provide a launch for construction of additional sections of the park.

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