The Cupertino Courier

News

City seals deal for park in Rancho Rinconada

By Emilie Crofton

Rancho Rinconada residents will soon have a place to play after the Cupertino City Council unanimously approved the $1.5 million purchase of property to develop a park in the Rancho Rinconada area.

After a closed session during the Feb. 19 meeting, the council agreed to the increase in price from $1 million to $1.5 million from the San Jose Water Co. The price increase was consistent with the current market value of the property, located on Sterling Boulevard at Barnhart Avenue.

"The Sterling/Barnhart park is an important amenity for our Rancho Rinconada neighborhood. The area is certainly 'under-parked' by city standards," said Mayor Dolly Sandoval. "I'm glad the city council, once again, affirmed the park's priority by agreeing to the purchase price put forth."

The council also authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute all necessary documents to complete the acquisition.

The water company staff advised that once council approved the price, it would recommend approval by the water company board.

The approval delighted a number of Rancho Rinconada residents who have been vying for a park for a number of years.

"I'm happy the city will go the extra mile and pay the extra half a million to have this park created," said Jennifer Griffin, a Rancho Rinconada resident. "We have 5,000 people and 1,500 homes. We live in a lovely forested neighborhood, but have zero parks."

Griffin has been working with nearby residents for years on the creation of a neighborhood park. The park would be the first public park space to serve residents in the Rancho Rinconada area, which in 1999 was annexed from the county into the city.

In June 2007, the city council approved a budget that included $800,000 for park construction. It also accepted the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommended park design, which will include shade trees, picnic areas, playground and a half-court basketball court.

"The city has been very accommodating. I think they see it as a positive step for Cupertino," Griffin said. "We have a lot of nature lovers, and the park will provide people with access to the creek trail. It's an excellent use for the property."

For more information about the city's plans for the park, visit www.cupertino.org and click on the Rancho Rinconada park link.