The 8,000-square-foot piece of land located at the end of Wildcat Creek Trail near Springhill Court will be the 12th site designated as a park in the city of Saratoga.

According to planning analyst for the parks and recreation department Cary Bloomquist, the land was designated as a city-owned park in 1976 while the residential area was being developed.

"Not only is it good planning principle to reserve a piece of land for public use, it's also a requirement that areas for parks and recreational facilities be provided in the subdivision ordinance," said staff planner Christie Oosterhous.

In addition, the open-space element of the Parks and Trails Master Plan, which is in the process of being updated, states that there should be a standard of three acres of park space per population of 1,000 people.

The area is currently covered with eucalyptus trees and dry vegetation, but that may change, depending on the direction council members decide to take.

"The city has been complaining about not having enough parks for years," said Councilman Norman Kline. "It would be great if we could develop that land into a park area. However, before we decide to do anything with the park, we need to take a serious look at what is on the inventory list and decide how much to invest in each item. It's important to involve the public in the process as well."

Councilwoman Kathleen King said she would also like to see the area turned into a neighborhood park, perhaps one with equipment designed for children with special needs.

"The more parks we have, the better it is for the children who like to play in them," she said. "But there's always the issue of funding."

King added that, depending on where the new park falls in the list of priorities and how strongly the city and the public feels about its development, it may take a while before the issue will be resolved.

Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith said she sees potential in transforming the woody area into a cozy place where neighbors can socialize.

She added that in order to achieve this, shrubs and vegetation would have to be cleared to allow a walkway and a bridge connecting the trail to the piece of land would have to be installed.

Residents who live near the newly discovered park said they are not quite sure what the city should do with the space.

"It's not an ideal place for a decent park because the ground is a bit unleveled," said Louise Vance, who lives on Aspezi Way. "But it would be a nice spot to have a small picnic or to lay out in the grass."

Homa Fitz, a resident on the same street, said she would not mind seeing the land turned into a small park if the city is able to afford it. She said she doesn't think it will have any negative impact on the neighborhood and would not attract newcomers in the area because that side of the neighborhood is relatively small and usually quiet.

Springhill Court resident Steve Morgan, who frequently walks to Gardiner Park using the trail, said he is in favor of adding more parks to the area and likes the idea of installing a bridge.

"It could be a nice little place for dogs to run around."

The issue of what to do with the land, as well as with many other city-owned properties, will be discussed at a meeting sometime in late September to early October. Council members are encouraging residents to attend.