Saratoga News | 0234 | August 21, 2002

August 21, 2002 Saratoga, California Since 1955

El Quito survey says: Leave the park alone

By Kate Carter

Results are still coming in, but it looks like the El Quito Park Task Force is of the same mind as the neighborhood—to leave the park alone, aside from a few necessary upgrades.

The task force has been charged with developing a strategy for using the approximately $375,000 budgeted by the city for improving the six-acre park at the corner of Cox Avenue and Paseo Presada. The city must replace the existing play structure with one that meets code standards; fix the irrigation system, which leaves the park's turf marsh-like in areas; and perform other necessary maintenance. But once those things are paid for, the task force can use the rest of the money to do what it likes.

For the past year, task force members have been brainstorming possibilities. But they wanted to make sure their ideas conformed to the wishes of those who use the neighborhood park the most—the nearest neighbors.

So earlier this summer the task force sent out a survey to everyone living within the boundaries of Highway 85, Saratoga Avenue and Quito Road asking for their feedback on options for the park. At its meeting Aug. 8, the task force reviewed the responses and found that the neighbors think the park is already meeting its needs and doesn't need significant changes.

"One of the recurring themes is, 'We like the park the way it is,' " said neighborhood resident and task force member Emma Wyckoff. "It's not like anybody wants wholesale change."

The survey asked respondents to rate different park features and related concerns, both existing and proposed, on a scale of 1 to 5, with "1" meaning very desired and "5" meaning very undesired. Respondents could also write in features they would or would not like for the park.

Items that received the most support were mostly ones that related to park usage and nearby traffic concerns. More than 90 percent said it would be either desirable or very desirable to hand out large fines to individuals who litter the park or cause garbage cans to overflow. Majorities thought it important to limit permit uses only to Saratoga residents and within certain hours, as well as to prohibit the consumption of alcohol. A majority also supported diverting traffic—to the park as well as other destinations—away from the neighborhood.

Wyckoff said there has been some indecision about whether to have the neighborhood's significant speeding and cut-through traffic problems addressed by the task force or by the city's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP.) However, she said, the task force will probably focus more on just the park and the NTMP will take over the traffic concerns.

Related to the traffic is a lack of parking in the area. Most residents responded that they didn't want to lose park space to create more parking, preferring instead to have the city pursue an agreement with West Hope Church next door to use its parking lot. Wyckoff said the agreement would allow large groups, like those attending permitted events or programs at the park, to park in the church lot. In exchange, the city would assist the church in maintaining the lot.

Among the park's features, respondents were most supportive of improving and maintaining its low-key neighborhood uses, like the barbecue and picnic areas, the community garden, the sand volleyball court, the baseball and soccer areas and the walking circuit around the perimeter. Wyckoff said the task force is already trying to encourage the park's users—in particular the soccer teams that practice there—to respect the walking circuit and not encroach on it and prevent people from using it.

Some proposed new features included a small wading pool and a fountain. Prohibitions on roller blades and model airplanes were suggested as well.

Of the 937 surveys distributed, 114 were returned. Wyckoff said that that's a respectable response rate, especially when the respondents are more closely analyzed. About 15 percent of those living within the aforementioned boundaries responded, but only about 11 percent of those living east of Quito Road—to whom the task force also sent surveys—responded. The task force is also incorporating the surveys that continue to trickle in.

"We want to make sure everybody feels their vote counts," Wyckoff said.

The task force is also trying to incorporate responses to a citywide survey on the city's parks in general. That survey, which asked all Saratogans to rate different park features as a tool for the city's general park plans, had about 1,300 responses, or an approximately 11.5 percent response rate, said Cary Bloomquist, city public works analyst.

More than 1,100 respondents supported restrooms at parks, and more than 850 supported parking lots at parks. And while about 750 supported water features, about that many also opposed providing areas where dogs could run without leashes.

More than 1,000 preferred covered picnic areas to community rooms or outdoor amphitheaters for family and community gatherings. Of the possible features, most liked running tracks, community gardens and water play areas. Of the sports facilities, spaces for tennis, basketball, soccer, bocce ball, volleyball and baseball were the six most popular, in descending order.

Bloomquist said that the task force found the responses to both surveys complementary in nature, although they are continuing to analyze the results, particularly the write-in comments. But the next step, Wyckoff said, is for the task force to stop brainstorming and start "to sharpen pencils" and come up with a plan. Its next meeting is Aug. 27 at 7:15 p.m. at city hall.