4 public meetings planned on future of Berkeley parks

Some of the parks & rec issues shown on Tuesday night: closed stairs at Remillard Park, drainage problems at Ohlone dog park, inaccessible restrooms at the marina, and deteriorating basketball courts at San Pablo Park — In 2010, the city offered these examples of improvements to be made at Berkeley parks: closed stairs at Remillard Park, drainage problems at Ohlone dog park, inaccessible restrooms at the marina, and deteriorating basketball courts at San Pablo Park.

As part of a new planning effort starting next week, Berkeley’s Parks and Waterfront Commission wants to hear from the public about ways to improve city parks, pools, community centers, camps and the marina. In recent years, the city has struggled to find enough money to pay for its parks, pools and recreation facilities. Several council members have been spreading the word this month about the upcoming meetings, but otherwise there has been little publicity. In addition to a series of three meetings with commission members, Councilman Laurie Capitelli’s office, along with city staff, will meet with the public about John Hinkel Park and possible plans for Measure WW funds. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see past related coverage on Berkeleyside.

Oct. 2: James Kenney Community Center, 1720 Eighth St., 7–9 p.m.

The meeting will focus on West Berkeley and the Marina (council districts 1, 2 and 4), including Cesar Chavez and Aquatic parks, the West Campus pools, Rosa Parks and Washington schools parks, San Pablo Park, Strawberry Creek, Ohlone, Civic Center, mini-parks and others.

Oct. 2: Live Oak Community Center, Fireside Room, 1301 Shattuck Ave., 7-8 p.m.

This session will revolve around how to spend $423,000 allocated to John Hinkel Park from Measure WW bond funds.

Oct. 9: Live Oak Community Center, Fireside Room, 1301 Shattuck, 7–9 p.m.

This meeting will look at North Berkeley (districts 5 and 6) parks and facilities, including King Swim Center, Live Oak, John Hinkel, Indian Rock, Great Stoneface, Codornices, Dorothy Bolte, Terrace View, Grizzly Peak, Thousand Oaks school park and others.

Oct. 16: South Berkeley Branch Library, 1901 Russell St., 6–7:30 p.m.

The focus of the meeting will be on parks and facilities in South Berkeley (districts 3, 7 and 8), including Willard Park and Willard Swim Center, Oak Park, Monkey Island, Greg Brown, Grove, Bateman Mall, Halcyon Commons, and the LeConte, Malcolm X and John Muir schools parks.

Members of the public are invited to attend all the meetings; child care will be provided. Community members who are unable to attend may submit written comments by Oct. 30 to Roger Miller, secretary, Parks and Waterfront Commission, 2180 Milvia St., Berkeley, CA 94704, or by email at rmiller@cityofberkeley.info. More information about the city’s system of parks and facilities is available online.

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