The second draft design plan for Kawana Springs Community Park was presented at a community meeting on June 24, 2017 and is now available online for additional public review and input.
This second draft reflects a variety of public input that the Recreation and Parks Department received after presenting the first draft during a Community Meeting on May 20, 2017 and from comments submitted online. Based on the received input, the seond draft has been updated with frequently requested additions and other changes that were also well-suited to the site conditions.
A summary of the most significant changes include:
- The addition of a bicycle pump track: Several requests were received for this amenity which is designed so that a bicycle rider uses a pumping motion without pedaling to ride through a dirt track with small ramps and turns. In conjunction with a big volunteer effort, a bicycle pump track was recently installed at Northwest Community Park and is enjoyed by riders of all ages and abilities.
- Bocce ball court area was reduced in size from two courts to one court: One court was removed to accommodate relocation of the children’s play area away from the dog park.
- Increase in size of children’s play area: The second draft reflects that the play is planned to be comparable in size to the play equipment at Finley Community Park.
- Turf (grass) area reduced in size from 90,500 square feet to 70,500 square feet: This was done to accommodate the increase in newly suggested amenities and relocation of certain key items.
- Community garden increased in size to 23,000 square feet from 13,500 square feet: The size of the associated parking lot for the garden area was reduced to increase overall size of the actual garden area.
Other additional minor modifications were made to the plan to reflect received input and best design practices for this site. Large items such as a swim center, baseball, tennis and pickle ball courts were suggested, but not added to the second draft plan because it was determined that they would not be well-suited amenities for such a small, active site with a large slope. There are environmental site constraints, including setbacks for the creek that limit the amount of active-use space available. The park site also provides great views across the city and through the park and adding in large items would reduce the amount of visibility within and out of the park site which was raised as a concern by community members.
Please refer to the "Topic" below to view an enlarged graphic of the Master Plan and to submit your comments.
Steve Kozlowski almost 7 years ago
STOP THE PARK! I really do like the idea of a park in front of my house yet have been disappointed with the constant changes that are happening. We wanted a quiet peaceful park that can be used for all to enjoy but the existing country life will be overrun with a sports field, parking, and restrooms. The biggest issue I have with the park going in is the increased homeless population that will make the park a new haven. I recently tried to enjoy a Doyle park visit and the dog park has no control, the outlying areas near the creek were being used as toilets, at least a dozen homeless folks were occupying the area near the restrooms, some with puppies and pets, another five living in their cars, trash strewn everywhere ( the city crew just showed up), and was overall a very uncomfortable feeling for my family and me. I do fear that this is what will happen with Kawana Springs Park and without the city enforcement (i.e. homeless hill, downtown area, Doyle park) our 1/2 a million dollar home value will plummet and the locals, who it was mainly meant for, will be unable to enjoy the park that we have been waiting 20 years for.
Hillary Wootton almost 7 years ago
I love the idea of this park! This neighborhood doesn't have a good-sized park and I welcome having this community resource so close to home. Thank you for addressing the concerns regarding the location of the children's play area and dog run. Again, I'd like to stress the need for fairly high fences in the dog run. Other dog parks in Santa Rosa have fences that are only 4 feet high, and a large dog can easily jump that fence.
I can't wait for my home values to rise, given that we have the wonderful new hiking trails at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and now the usable activity features (basketball court, play area, bike pump, community gardens, etc) at this city park. Those of us who live in the neighborhood already know what a great place it is, but now we'll have even more amenities right at our doorstep!
Gloria Naisbitt almost 7 years ago
Following also sent to Board of Community Services: About 5 years many of us had a vision to create Kawana Springs Creek Park. This included a dog park, a small playground with swings, a couple picnic tables, and a couple nature trails that could tie into Mt. Taylor Park.
Our vision, my vision, has morphed into a busy "Community" Park with numerous amenities including a huge parking lot, larger playground, gazebos, paved trails, bathrooms, Fitness Equipment, Sand Volleyball Court (much opposition), Table Tennis, Bocce Ball, Multi-Purpose Turf, and Community Garden. Ok, so be it if this is what the residents want. I am only one voice. I can even go along with the newly added Pump Track since it is earthen and promoted bicycles.
But please, do not allow a Basketball Court! In all the early Park meetings we discussed the pros and cons of a basketball court. The residents and public involved in these discussions voted against a basketball court due to NOISE! This is not an urban park! It is country! It is rural! It is loaded with wildlife and a live Creek--a place to meditate, to walk, to jog, to embrace nature!
The noise of a basketball court is noise pollution for this area. There are courts at Kawana Springs Elementary, Dauenhauer Park, Martin Luther King Park, and there is a portable basketball hoop on every street in our neighborhood. Volleyball and table tennis will be used sporadically and primarily on weekends. Basketball is another story! Please do not allow a court in Kawana Springs Park.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, Gloria Naisbitt
Two other issues: 1. Early discussions with Jessica Holloway of Landpaths suggested an educational program of building actual bird houses along our lovely earthen trail and creek. This project could encourage more and more native birds to inhabit the area, and teach conservation, environmental responsibility, etc.
Arlie Haig almost 7 years ago
FYI, the Kawana Elementary School campus has been locked up tight for a few years, no access to the courts or anywhere there. It was intended to be shared communuty use but paranoia set in about broken bottles, dog poop and condoms. These items are found everywhere in the world!
Carole Quandt almost 7 years ago
I do not see secure bicycle parking on the plans. Please check in with the pump track community to see if that is needed for their use, as well as the community garden use....but most of all I think it valuable for the general public's use, so available in the play and picnic areas. Also interested in access to potable water. Are all areas of the park within, say, a 5 minute walk to the one hydration station? Are there State of California rec and park guidelines on placement of hydration stations in new facilities?
Jake Rosen almost 7 years ago
Still very concerned about the parking? How will the City control who's parking where? Meaning, the nearby neighbors should not have to fight for their parking spots. And, the Frisbee golfers should not be allowed to park at the city park, to climb over the fencing to get to their course ...
Nicole Day almost 7 years ago
The new updates look really good. So glad the dog park and the children's park are at separate sides of the larger park. =) . From your update, you mentioned that the new children's park will be similar in size to Finley Park. That's great it's larger but please don't make the same mistake that Finley Park planners did - no shade on the playground or any shade coverings for the equipment. We used to live in walking distance from Finley but rarely went because it was so awful for my children to play in the direct hot sun and terrible for me to stand in the sun watching then play. The park was usually empty because of the intense sun. Howarth Park is so great because not only do they have great shade from the trees over the playground, but they also have giant shade coverings over the playground equipment.
I also agree with numerous FB comments on suggesting there is a Splash Pad area. We don't have AC like so many Santa Rosa residents and would love having a place for our small kids to cool off and have fun. The only splash pad is at Prince Gateway Park but it's a challenge bc the splash pad is so close to the very busy Santa Rosa Ave without any gates. My small toddler and many others' little ones are constantly trying to run out (bc that is what toddlers do!) and head straight towards the speeding traffic. It's a bit stressful for parents with multiple kids. It would be so wonderful to have this feature here in our own neighborhood and it would attract young families to our area.
Arlie Haig almost 7 years ago
The playing of bocce requires equipment that needs a storage shed. Will there be one provided?
Arlie Haig almost 7 years ago
Oh, forgot to mention that volleyball requires a net - will players bring it? And same for table tennis.
Patrick Brady almost 7 years ago
I just want to speak up on behalf of having a pump track at the park. I've been a frequent visitor to the one at Northwest Community Park with my two sons and it has been terrific fun for us. It would be great to have one east of the 101.
Andrew M almost 7 years ago
Santa Rosa is full of problematic lawns. It's not uncommon that a lawn's greatest use is in its maintenance. We already have turfy parks like A Place to Play, which spends most of its life as a gigantic vacant lawn.
At the very least we have to irrigate them as non-native species in a drought-prone region and mow them, a labor expense contributing to unnecessary noise pollution and energy waste. Additionally, our non-native lawns are notorious allergy producers, contributing to unaccountable suffering for many Santa Rosans and visitors.
Please consider any excuse to limit the multi-use turf area even further than 70,500 square feet and other possible park lawn areas to what is actually necessary for useful purposes, and extending this principal to possibly reducing other city lawns to great benefit.
Our lawns aren't natural or healthy, but reflective of a 'Civilization = Lawns Everywhere' mentality that we've been indoctrinated with. We don't need most of them.
Yvette Davis almost 7 years ago
I live right next to the park and have a few major concerns and requests: 1. Noise level: Our neighborhood and this proposed park is located in a valley and a rural area (Note: Taylor Mountain). Noise reverberates off the mountain and adjoining hills and as a result the slightest sound is greatly amplified. Please, please remove activities that will add the most noise (hence noise pollution!), namely the half basketball court and sand volleyball court. Instead, leave these spaces open with natural turf or native plant restoration. This will also allow the wildlife (have you observed the deer, foxes and coyotes that cross Kawana Springs and Brookwood on a daily basis?) to cohabitate with humans and preserve one of their most frequented areas. 2. Park Hours: Please institute specific hours for park usage so the neighborhood is not left to deal with vagrants, criminals, bored teens and people who deem the park a place to camp out at all times of the day and night (considering that the city just cleared out the homeless encampment at the corner of Kawana Springs and Petaluma Hill Road I would think this a priority). Remember this is a small neighborhood park surrounded by open space and homes!!
3. Traffic control; Brookwood, Kawana Springs and Taylor Mountain Road have seen an increase in traffic. With this park, even more cars will be driving along all 3 roads. As it stands now, cars often speed down Kawana Springs, Brookwood and Taylor Mountain Road ignoring Stop signs, walkers, bikers, etc. Perhaps installing large speed bumps along roads leading to the park (Kawana Springs, Taylor Mountain, and Brookwood) will help slow traffic down and increase awareness?
4. Pump Track: I am an advocate of teaching children and adults safe bike handling skills; however, this is a small space in a RURAL area with limited car accessibility. Please think twice about the location and consider putting this in an area of the city that already has the space for such a track AND the parking necessary to accomodate the traffic and population that will use it. 5. Parking: Living right next to the park, I'm concerned with the number of people that will want to park in the neighborhood to access adjoining Taylor Mountain and the neighborhood park! Please institute parking restrictions on streets around the entire park so our neighborhood is not inundated with park goers looking for a space to park. Perhaps 1 hour parking signs or "Parking by Permit Only."
As a member of the community and a neighbor that will be impacted by the stress this park will have on our location, thank you for taking these concerns in to consideration!