What started out as a suggestion that Saratoga recognize a new parkland turned into directions from the city council Nov. 20 that the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) look into selling the land in question instead.

Since 1979, the city has owned two adjacent parcels of land at the corner of Quito and Pollard roads. The first parcel measures 0.54 acres and the second 0.12 acres. Over the past year, the PRC has explored the possibility of having the property designated a parkland. Inspired by the number of oak trees on the property, it suggested naming the area "Oak Grove Park." In April, the commission brought in a plant specialist to provide information on how the property could be developed with native plants.

Immediately following the staff's presentation, all council members agreed that the property should not be designated as a park.

The land, which lies within a single-family housing unit zone, could be sold, with proceeds going toward improving the city's existing 12 parks, said Vice Mayor Evan Baker. Councilman John Mehaffey sided with Baker, saying that the property, which "does not justify city effort to maintain," should be sold, with the money earmarked for parks and recreation use—a suggestion followed by mild applause from PRC representatives.

Councilman Stan Bogosian said he preferred keeping the land as "passive open space" without designating a name or use for it, and Mayor Nick Streit said he would be willing to trade the parcels of land for other property near an existing park to expand that park.

In the end, the council directed staff to research how marketable the land parcels are. If sold, the council decided, the money will go to the city's parks and recreation department for either purchasing a new parkland or to make improvements to existing parks.

"The recommendation made by council is actually a really great idea," new PRC chair Sandra Dodge said afterwards.

Because of the location, parking spaces aren't readily available at the site, and the issue of accessibility came up at the meeting.

"It would be difficult access for the community if we were to turn it into a park," Dodge acknowledged.