Photograph by Robert Scheer
The field at Marshall Land School may be renovated with city funds, if a maintenance agreement can be worked out.
By Carolyn Leal
The Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission has put a low priority on spending $700,000 on a new pool for Saratoga High School. The decision came during an April 7 discussion on how best to disburse $1.9 million in park development funds.
Earlier, Principal Kevin Skelly had asked for city assistance in constructing a new Olympic-size pool to replace a smaller existing pool. He said the high school would pay the city $20,000 a year for the use of the pool, as well as take care of maintenance costs.
"We feel it's not high on the priority list recommended by the community task force," said Kay Whitney, vice chair of the commission.
However, the commissioners did recommend spending some $604,000 from the park development funds on a variety of projects.
They set aside $100,000 for a feasibility study for a "Community Center Hub" surrounding the current Community Center on Fruitvale Avenue. The funds would be used to hire an architect or consultant to consider a new or expanded community center; possible relocation of the city corporation yard; construction of an indoor sports center; joint use/development of a gym with Redwood Middle School; facilities for teens and seniors; and the method for funding this proposed new community hub.
The commissioners also recommended $100,000 for mapping and improvements to city trails, with grants for volunteers to work on the trails; $100,000 for a new restroom at Wildwood Park; $100,000 for a new restroom and $4,000 for handrails at Hakone Gardens; $50,000 for a new well and planting at the city's Heritage Orchard; $100,000 to upgrade the play area at Kevin Moran Park; and $60,000 for the play area at Gardiner Park.
However, the commissioners delayed a proposed renovation of school playing fields until maintenance agreements can be negotiated with local school districts.
"It costs some $5,000 per year per acre to maintain an established playing field," said Bob Rizzo, parks superintendent. The city, currently in the throes of a budget crisis, has no money available for maintenance, Rizzo said.
If the city renovates playing fields at Foothill, Argonaut, Blue Hills, Saratoga, Marshall Lane and McAuliffe schools, as proposed, Saratoga and Cupertino school districts will have to be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the fields, Rizzo said.
The recommendations will go to City Council for final action.
The idea of a community hub, including a renovated community center, was advanced after a year of study by a recreation task force. Although the commissioners recommended funding a master plan for the community hub, construction funds would have to come from some other source, such as a bond issue, they said.
Playing field improvements at school sites and the development of multi-use sports fields also ranked high on the task force list.
Other task force ideas for spending park development funds included a place just for teens, land and park acquisition, park improvements at existing park sites, trail improvements, an indoor sports and activity center, a community garden, a large community park, Hakone improvements, a community swimming pool and a dog run.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, April 16, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.