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SJ looks to revamp its parks plan to jumpstart some stalled projects

By Eli Segall

Green goodies are on the horizon for San Jose residents, as the city moves to fulfill some old promises on neighborhood parks.

The city is in the process of modifying its parks greenprint to jumpstart stalled projects. Written six years ago to establish a guideline for parks and public places, the greenprint called for a slew of new projects and enhancements, but has failed to meet its own expectations.

The quality of existing facilities citywide has nose-dived from poor maintenance, said Dave Mitchell, parks planning manager for the San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. Increased development costs have chopped up several projects called for by the greenprint, he added.

"The greenprint was overly ambitious to begin with," Mitchell said. "We haven't come close to spending the amount of money it called for."

The plan sought to invest $1.2 billion in parks by 2020, yet the city is on pace to spend roughly half that, Mitchell added.

Matt Cano, division manager of the parks department, said that the $1.2 billion amount was never really available.

"It was an estimate of what we thought was needed by 2020. The modified greenprint will look at available funds and prioritize improvements based on that," Cano said.

One boost to funding future projects is a recent hike in park development fees, approved last month by the San Jose City Council. With every housing or commercial development, the city will charge developers a fee based on 100 percent of 2005 city land values to finance new parks. The decision, which takes effect next July, will increase the city's park bank account by 25 to 40 percent annually, Mitchell said.

As part of the push to get more projects started, the parks department is seeking new ideas from community members at a series of open forums held in each council district. The city is scheduled to hold a meeting in District 10 next spring. No specific date has been set, Cano said.

Parks officials plan to present the modified greenprint to the city council in early 2008.