AFTER ACTION REPORT: On the 8/20 Downtown Park Public Brainstorming Meeting (Amd: 8/25)

Posted:  27 Aug 13
** Amended:  28 Aug 13

1.  Purpose

To report some of the results of the first public discussion to develop the best future for the yet-to-be-constructed park in Old Downtown Pittsburg.  The meeting was announced by the bulletin entitled, "Public Meeting for a New Downtown Park 8/20/13/TUE/ 6:30pm

2.  Rationale

• I know that many fellow residents, who couldn't attend, are naturally curious -- and are certainly entitled to know.
• I know that at least some attendees would like to have a handy reminder, which will always be here and part of the record.
• It may help to advance the public discussion along for people to know what has been suggested so far, so they can act accordingly to increase the list, with confidence and with less time waste.
• To help pass along a bit of the high enthusiasm which was felt, so as to inspire more of the same.

3.  Organization of this Bulletin

The whole bulletin is laid out, thusly:

1. Purpose
2. Rationale
3. Organization of this Bulletin
4. Background
5. The Setting of the Meeting -- at Railroad Book Store
6. The Discussion
7. Contributed Suggestions
8. Next Steps
9. A Few Personal Observations

4.  Background

This was the first of a series of meetings City Manager Sbranti informed the City Council he wanted to conduct before making his final recommendations for expenditure of more than $1 million on the park.

By seeking the early thoughts of the citizenry, this meeting was a next logical step in conceiving and designing the type of park which satisfies the residents and achieves other important objectives for the long-term development of the downtown district, as a whole.

More opportunities for public input are anticipated, in this well-run City, until a final design is settled upon.

The location of the proposed new 1.3 acre park lies virtually in the heart of Old Downtown.  For perspective, it can be seen and enjoyed comfortably from within Momo's Japanese restaurant through the front window.  It abuts, from the west, with the Downtown Plaza (where Farmer's markets are held).  It directly touches on an adjacent neighborhood to the west.  The Museum is directly across the street, heading east.

5.  The Setting of the Meeting

Facilitated by: Leigha Schmidt, Associate Planner, Pittsburg Planning Department

• lschmidt@ci.pittsburg.ca.us
• 925 - 252-4920

Attended by:  Mayor Nancy Parent; Councilmember Ben Johnson; City Manager Joe Sbranti; City Parks & Maintenance Manager Don Buchanan; City Planning Manager Dana Ayers; City Commissioners Ed Diokno and Bruce Ohlson -- and others I'm sure I neglected to mention but should have -- with regrets -- among a fine turnout of highly motivated, intelligent, and civic-minded fellow residents, from near and far -- all determined not to squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

My guess is around 40 people were present!!!

Venue:  The Railroad Depot Bookstore was a surprisingly spacious, comfortable, and attractive venue.  A brilliant and edifying choice, I must say.  I sat in one of 4 or 5 cushy easy-chairs. (Deference to an elder?  Yikes!)  This City is mighty adept at planning things, large and small -- and maximizing scarce resources.

6.  The Discussion

The Trigger Question:  What is Your Vision For the Park?

Leigha spoke opening words to set the tone for a hopefully free-flowing brainstorming session.  And she succeeded, superbly.  Here's how she did it.  She set up a flip-chart on which she had one of the following tables per page:

Opportunities	Constraints
1.  Plaza	1.  Budget
2.  Special Events	2.  Size of Park
3.  Strong Commerical Base	3.  Topography
4.  Surrounding Residences

Active Park Uses:	Passive Park Uses
1.  Exercise paths / circuits	1.  Grass, trees, benches
2.  Water play / interactive element	2.  Meandering pathways
3.  Play equipment / Children & adults	3.  Stadium seating toward Plaza Park

Using these tools, she took 5-minutes, or so, to lay out the course that would lead us to our destination, efficiently.  She used four more chart pages to capture the following public suggestions, as these were offered.  Her list had to be random, of course.  I have the luxury of rearranging a copy of her list (and mine) in a somewhat logical order, as follows, more or less verbatim:

7.  Contributed Suggestions

The Idea was to unlock as many ideas as possible, without analyzing their feasibility at this point -- just get them down on paper and decide later -- with lots and lots to choose from -- or to trigger other ideas.

ACTIVE USES

1. Bike Path (perhaps around perimeter)
2. Covered Bocci ball courts; league; 2 to 4 courts
3. Labyrinth Section (shaped hedges in intricate pattern?)
4. Skate boarding park
5. Open to pets (Safety issue?)
6. Exercise-friendly

COMFORT

1. As a center-piece:  Decorative, cooling fountain (intermittent water squirts, walk-thru, ground-level, shaped like a large medallion, perhaps a relief map of Bay Area -- or the County and it's Cities -- w/star marking Pittsburg)
2. Benches around perimeter
3. Mature landscaping trees for shade (immature trees not immediately adequate)
4. Misting stations, Water splash area, Cooling effects
5. Restrooms?
6. Shade options, other

DESIGN

1. A total vision: Surrounded by a Downtown restaurant district (to attract unique, well-known restaurants like Golden Corral, Arby's, etc.? 
2. Access to utilities within Park
3. ADA Accessible
4. Botanical Garden
5. Community Garden
6. CPTED (Crime prevention through environmental design)
7. Designer sidewalks (brick, non-linear, unique materials, etc)
8. Eco-friendly/sustainable
9. Extra-wide sidewalks
10. Grassy areas and shade trees -- plenty
11. Necklace of lights
12. No Fencing
13. Pergolas with solar devices
14. Public art, sculptures (affordable)
15. Solar energy 
16. Use Todos Santos Plaza/Park in Concord as a general model
17. Well designed to attract and please visitors and inspire return visits
18. Well water for irrigation / fountain?
19. Wind-mill generator (would be interesting landmark, unique, and perhaps, cost-effective)

FINANCIAL/ECONOMIC

1. Ask businesses to invest in maintenance and improvements, commensurate with at least some of the economic advantages realized
2. Concern for cost of water and maintenance -- Operating costs
3. Liability concerns for some more risky activities
4. Maintenance cost factored in
5. Park as economic tool -- to attract visitors
6. Public works involvement

BEHAVIORAL/PRECAUTIONS

1. Concern about after hours use
2. Concern about attracting crime and changing secure feel of the area
3. Heavy PD presence at Park Opening event
4. Motion-sensitive lights
5. Monitor crime trends
6. No basketball hoops
7. Stain resistant durable materials
8. Timed lighting
9. Use a vacant space for police substation
10. Video surveillance

SYNERGY WITH PLAZA AND DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

1. Coordinate style to achieve a cohesive, aesthetic impact on entry to downtown
2. Incorporate speaker system on plaza
3. Multiuse Stadium seating between plaza and park
4. Slope between park/plaza as seating

VEHICULAR

1. No vehicular access
2. Angular parking around the entire block
3. Overflow parking for public events
4. Vehicle-charging station

8.  Next Step

1. City will conduct more meetings -- watch this City-Journal and other information outlets
2. City will probably prepare its own report of the proceedings

9.  A Few Personal Observations

Perhaps we need to:

Decide/agree on what kind of park it is to be -- (or do we decide what kind of downtown we want, first?)

• A Neighborhood Park, 
• A Neutral Park, 
• A Recreational Park, 
• A small Performance Amphitheater
• A Tranquil Refuge, 
• Active or Passive, 
• Family-oriented, 
• Romantic After-Hours, 
• Tourism Appeal, 
• OR A MIX?
• Promoting What Kind of Mood in the Downtown Area?

Challenge?

• Do we disregard the total downtown setting and build whatever we want, no matter what the effect on the character and general appeal of downtown as a regional destination?
• Take account of what kind of downtown we want to have, for decades?
• What is the best way to make the most out of the "clean canvas" we've been presented?

** Or is the aim of a "destination city" all that consistent with the VITAL FUNCTION Pittsburg plays in the industrial infrastructure of California?  Is our "bread and butter" the hosting of key portions of the economic machinery that keep the wheels of progress turning? One example is the astounding fact that Pittsburg, via the transbay cable, provides over 40% of San Francisco's electrical power. 

What happens to the general economy and our own tax base -- and, consequently, the ability to exist and function -- if we drift too far from the purposes the City fulfills?  Maybe it is sufficient to continue striving to keep it a beautiful, wholesome, and safe place in which to live and visit -- AND a cordial home for the industry that has come to partner with it -- until time dictates yet another change in this dynamic place.

Nonsense?  I don't know.  Still listening, learning, and growing.

David Nelson


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