Date: June 1, 2016 To: Through: From: Subject: Recreation and Park Commission Capital Committee Philip A. Ginsburg, General Manager Dawn Kamalanathan, Planning and Capital Program Director Dan Mauer, Project Manager Moscone Playground Renovation Project and Proposed Off Leash Agenda Wording Discussion and possible action to approve the concept plans for the East Playground Renovation Project and a proposed Off Leash at Moscone Playground. Approval by the Commission of the proposed concept plans action by the Commission is the approval action as defined by the S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 31. Purpose of Bond Project The intent of this 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond project is to renovate and upgrade the eastern playground area so that all existing infrastructure and site features meet current public needs as well as all applicable codes and regulations. Site Information Moscone Playground is one of the Department s larger neighborhood parks, which is situated in the Marina District (Supervisorial District 2) between Bay and Chestnut Streets at Laguna Street. The overall park is approximately 567,000 square feet in size (13 acres) but the proposed primary playground project area is only about 8,000 square feet. The project area (east playground) is surrounded on two sides by residential homes and sits adjacent to other park amenities which include athletic courts and a baseball diamond. There is a secondary improvement area that has also been examined during the planning phase which is the landscape frontage between the playground and the recreation center which would include general landscape and irrigation improvements. This frontage work is considered a secondary priority improvement area if funding allows.
As part of our public outreach process, there was much discussion about the need for an official off-leash dog play area (DPA). Although the DPA program improvement is not part of the recognized and approved bond project, Staff evaluated this request with the community and RPD staff to see if there were opportunities to meet this need. Please see below for further information pertaining to the DPA proposal. Proposed Playground Renovation Program The proposed renovation project as defined in the bond approval package and approved by the voters was defined as follows: The proposed project may include improvements to the eastern children s play area, improved access, and related amenities. As described above, this project is primarily focused on making improvements to the existing infrastructure as it currently exists and bringing the elements into compliance with appropriate codes and regulations. The project goals, as defined by the community process, and the proposed improvements to this area are outlined below. Proposed Project Goals/Wishes: Multi-Generational Space vs Concern of Mixing Adults and Children Secure (fencing) and Good Sight Lines (safety) Shade and Gathering Space Maintain Existing Perimeter Trees Natural Elements (no sand) Proposed Conceptual Plan Improvements: Removal of existing play equipment and all sand Replace the perimeter fencing on all sides New planting, irrigation and drainage Site furniture including trash receptacles, park tables, playground signage Introduce multiage play equipment opportunities and spaces Play elements include: - Multi age swing element - Tot wooden climbing structure - Tot slide area - Tot play house - Nature features (boulders, wooden steppers) - Teen net climbing structure - Tot Bike Track Pump Track - Synthetic turf play area surfacing (no rubber infill) Please refer to the attached proposed concept plan for a plan view of the proposed project as well as representative photo images of each of the proposed improvement elements. The renovation of the playground area is the first priority for improvements. In the event that funds are available at the conclusion of this project, staff will include minor improvements to the
passive landscape area that resides between the playground and recreation center. These improvements would include removal and replacement of the existing chain link fence with a shorter more decorative fence line with new planting. This work would also include the installation of several picnic tables/chess tables. Please refer to the attachment label Landscape Link & East Site. The installation of the tables would be the first priority for this area. Community Process Staff conducted three separate community meetings to discuss the project. The first meeting was intended to generate public feedback on how the site is currently used, by which groups and prioritize the overall project goals. At the second meeting, staff presented three concept plans each of which achieved a majority of the program wished expressed at the first meeting. The public was asked to pick a design option that best met their needs along with other elements in the other concepts that were appealing. The design team took this information and blended the concepts and ideas into a single plan which was finally approved by the meeting attendees at the third meeting. There were approximately 15 to 20 members of the public at each meeting including a representative from the Supervisors office. In addition to the standard public meeting process, this project was one of three bond projects the participated in a pilot survey program called Code for America. This was a phone in survey which asked four generic questions about the park area and allowed each caller to leave a 30 second message with their thoughts and ideas. We received in excess of 40 messages through this outreach effort. During the community meeting phase of this project, there were several neighbors that expressed a need for a formal off leash dog play area. There was also an overwhelming request for this program which was recorded in the phone survey (Code for America). Currently, the lawn area between the east playground and the recreation center is used as an unofficial off leash area. The off leash activity has been a concern for staff as well as park users without dogs. Both seniors and children (parents) have expresses safety concerns about having off leash activity close to the picnic tables as well as adjacent to the playground. Site staff also finds it difficult to manage this unofficial recreation activity especially since it s adjacent to an open athletic field. During our public meeting process, we had some initial discussion about possible locations in the park that might be more appropriate for this activity. We also had productive discussions with operation and recreation staff, key community members that have dogs as well as with Supervisor Farrell. All groups believe that finding a formal, permanent area in the park for off leash activities is needed. Given the strong support shown for a DPA, staff conducted a separate public meeting to discuss the idea of a formal DPA. This meeting was held on May 18, 2016 and was attended by approximately 30 members of the public. Following Staff s presentation of the proposed concept plan, we held a comments/question session were we received unanimous support for the project. Attached is the proposal for a formal DPA space.
The proposed DPA would be located on the western edge of the park which is currently an open lawn area which is underutilized based on its location and isolation from other active park activities. The overall area would be approximately 11,150 SF in size and would not impact existing park circulation paths or programmed spaces. The project improvement elements include: New 42 chain link fence around the area with two points of entrance and egress Two concrete pads with picnic tables, trash receptacles, bag dispenser units. One dog drinking fountain would be located on the northern end of the site Approximately 6,300 SF of the space would utilize synthetic turf similar to material used at other DPA s in the system. Approximately 3,600 SF will remain natural turf which is below several large, mature trees. Drainage and irrigation improvements are also proposed. Funding and Budget East Playground Area The project will be funded from the 2012 Neighborhood Parks Bond Program Total Project Budget: $1.5 M (2012 Bond allocation) Soft Costs: $561,000 (PM, A/E, CM, permits, testing & reg. review fees) Hard Costs: $939,000 (construction cost incl. construction contingency) This proposal is currently unfunded. Supervisor Mark Farrell is worked to secure funding over a two-year budget period for this project. The projected cost for this project is as follows: Total Project Budget: $402,500 (Fund Source Pending) Soft Costs: $56,000 (PM, A/E, CM) Hard Costs: $346,500 (construction cost incl. construction contingency) Project Schedule Playground Planning Phase: Sept 2015 through March 2016 Design Phase: April 2016 through October 2016 Bid Phase: November 2016 through March 2017 Construction Phase: April 2017 through October 2017 Planning Phase: April 2016 thru June 2016 Design Phase: August 2016 through October 2016
Bid Phase: November 2016 through December 2016 Construction Phase: February 2017 through April 2017 Note: Given that proposed funding may be allocated over two years, it is staff s goal to implement this DPA in phases so that an active DPA would be available for use prior to the start of the playground construction activities. Environmental Review Both of these improvement projects have been reviewed by the Planning Department and were issued a Categorical Exemption under Class 1- Existing Facilities. The exemption was issued on April 28, 2016. Recommendation Staff recommends that the Commission approve the concept plans for the East Playground Renovation Project and a proposed Off Leash at Moscone Playground. Approval by the Commission of the proposed concept plans is the approval action as defined by the S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 31. Supported By Public meeting attendees (4 meetings) Supervisor Farrell (District 2) Marina Community Association Several Child Daycare Providers in neighborhood Opposed By Jeri Shobe, neighbor (DPA only) Attachments Project Concept Plans for Playground Area Project Concept Plans for a proposed DPA