GILROY
– Plans for the last of Gilroy’s three newest parks were
approved unanimously Monday by City Council, but before designs
become final, city staff will work with the park’s northeast
neighbors who say the current layout slights them.
GILROY – Plans for the last of Gilroy’s three newest parks were approved unanimously Monday by City Council, but before designs become final, city staff will work with the park’s northeast neighbors who say the current layout slights them.
The eight-acre site is located at Saddler Drive and Hogan Way, just west of Santa Teresa Boulevard and south of Sunrise Drive. When the park is completed – likely by fall 2004, it will have:
• An open lawn area for informal ball games
• A tree-lined pathway around the perimeter
• An exercise area with fitness equipment for outdoor exercising
• Tennis and basketball courts
• A water play area with fountains
• Picnic areas
And while all that is being applauded by most area residents, Brandon and Annemarie Merrick were taken back by the layout which will put those facilities, the parking lot and divider fence just yards from their driveway.
While neighbors to the south and west of the park will see an open lawn lined with trees, residents just northeast of the park will see a parking lot and the back of a recreation building planned for the second phase of the park development.
“If you put yourself in my shoes, you wouldn’t want all of the facilities right in your front door,” Brandon Merrick said. “That’s going to produce a massive amount of noise and light (from cars).”
The Merricks also had concerns that the parking lot, which will be the part of the park nearest the driveway of their home, will be used as a thoroughfare by motorists wanting to shortcut the eight-acre park. Under existing designs, the parking lot sits on the corner of Sprig Way and Saddler Drive, essentially bisecting Sprig Way.
“Sprig Way was originally designed as a through street,” Merrick said. “There will be kids playing out front (where cars should turn left on Saddler Drive), but cars will be driving straight through.”
A solution to both the eyesore and pedestrian safety problems won’t be impossible to find, city staff said.
The parking lot can be landscaped with more greenery than current designs show. However, the city is required to keep the parking lot accessible as a through street for emergency vehicles. A swing gate – or some other device to prevent the area from being used as a thoroughfare – will be installed to keep regular motorists from passing through, city staff said.
The cost of the project is estimated at $2.93 million. Construction of the recreation building, which remains currently unfunded, is estimated to run $1.14 million.
The recreation building is proposed to provide summer and after-school programs as well as evening classes. The building will have a 960-square foot dance room, a multipurpose room and rest rooms, among other amenities.
Because the park would have no rest rooms until the rec building is completed, Mayor Tom Springer encouraged staff to find a funding source sooner than later.
