The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Blackberry Farm should be open space

By RHODA FRY

Our city demonstrated amazing foresight 15 years ago when it asked the voters to pay a 2.4 percent utility tax to buy Blackberry Farm as open space.

To assist in paying for the property, the golf and picnic businesses would continue (as previously when privately owned and operated) until the bond that financed the purchase was paid off.

In the past twelve years, the annual Blackberry Farm businesses averaged $100,000 in annual profit.

In a 1990 San Jose Mercury News article, former Blackberry Farm owner Tom Nelson said, "It's something that can't be replaced. I wouldn't want to see it developed. I would much rather see it be open space." The city of Cupertino agreed, and our own General Plan spells out the importance of riparian habitats and this unique property within our city limits: "Retain some form of revenue-generating potential at Blackberry Farm (through the life of the municipal bond that financed the purchase) as the uses are transitioned from non-resident use to resident use. Increase community park acreage, and consider the financial implications of this transition."

This begs the question: What can we do that serves the best use of this property for its flora and fauna, for our residents, and for our city's social and fiscal bottom line? Here's a possible solution to these seemingly conflicting needs.

The new trail connecting McClellan Ranch Nature and Rural Preserve with the restored Blackberry Farm and Stocklmeir properties effectively increases community park acreage for all residents to enjoy. One would expect preserve status to be granted to these merged properties.

Understandably, our city council wants three nonprofit groups to continue to have events at the Blackberry Farm property. This can be achieved by renting infrastructure as we do with festivals at Memorial Park. As an exception to the preserve ordinance, the former parking lot area could be used to stage seven Villa Montalvo-style concerts under the summer stars per year. This would benefit the community, minimize environmental impact and generate income to support the maintenance of the park.

Sadly, our General Plan is subject to change and even amendment.

Although the Blackberry Farm picnic business serves 90 percent non-residents and has lost money for four years, the city plans to waste approximately $500,000 on a gated event compound that would only be expected to have an eight-year use, 100 days per year.

Why throw good money after bad? The reason is that during the park planning process, the public and council were led to believe the business would make money. Most businesses would only re-invest following an assurance of future profits and of supporting the desired customer base (i.e., Cupertino residents). Yet at the July 5 council meeting, it was confirmed the financial data given to the community neither accurately reflected profits nor contained all cost centers.

Coincidentally, Michael O'Dowd, the longtime park supervisor, resigned that day, according to neighbors. Surprisingly, council decided to move forward with its plan regardless of unknown financial implications.

Rhoda Fry is a 23-year resident of Cupertino and former neighbor of the Nelsons, original owners of Blackberry Farm.