CC 06-21-2023 Item No. 1 Memorial Park Specific Plan_ Written CommunicationsCC 06-21-2023
Item #1
Consider the Memorial
Park Specific Plan
Written Communications
From:Susan Michael
To:City Clerk
Subject:FW: Revitalize Memorial Park Design
Date:Tuesday, June 20, 2023 10:59:45 AM
Attachments:Preferred Draft Concept, Site Plan.png
image009.png
image010.png
image011.png
image012.png
image013.png
image014.png
image015.png
image016.png
Written communications for item #1
Susan Michael
Capital Improvement Programs Manager
Public Works
susanm@cupertino.org
(408)777-1328/(408)510-0622
From: Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 12:35 AM
To: Hung Wei <HWei@cupertino.org>; Sheila Mohan <SMohan@cupertino.org>; Liang Chao <LiangChao@cupertino.org>; Kitty
Moore <Kmoore@cupertino.org>; J.R. Fruen <JRFruen@cupertino.org>
Cc: Susan Michael <susanm@cupertino.org>; Rachelle Sander <RachelleS@cupertino.org>; Chad Mosley
<ChadM@cupertino.org>; Pamela Wu <PamelaW@cupertino.org>; Sashi Begur <SBegur@cupertino.org>; Carol Stanek
<cstanek@cupertino.org>; Jenny Koverman <JennyK@cupertino.org>
Subject: Revitalize Memorial Park Design
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
the content is safe.
Hi Mayor Wei, Vice Mayor Mohan, Councilmember Chao, Coucilmember Moore, and Councilmember Fruen,
There were three concepts, Concept A (Community Focus), Concept B (Nature Focus), and Concept C (Civic Focus). However, I
believed Memorial park does not have to be identity focused park for only specific visitors.
Gates Design team chose Concept A (Community Focus) and added various attributes from Concept B and C in order to make it
most desirable design after many surveys were taken. I am so glad that the blended concept design can meet everyone’s interest.
I am also glad the design team removed the underutilized softball field and added various amenities in their design.
I would like to add some my comments to the deign.
• Playground #12
— Based on the latest design, the playground for different age group looks too small. It has to be much bigger after closing 2
current playgrounds. Have you seen the current playgrounds on weekends, holidays, and during/after events? The playgrounds
are full of the families with children. In addition, children in Summer Camp at Quinlan Center go to the playground during the
break.
— The new playground has to be all inclusive playground for all children with physical and cognitive disabilities too. So that
many more families can visit.
• Pickleball Courts #15
— Pickleball is getting popular, but the high pitch loud noise bothers some people. Have you been and stayed there at least for 30
minute at the current pickleball courts when all courts are in use? The loud noise bothers children who are sensitive to the sound,
especially autism children. The tennis noise is 40 dBA, but Pickleball is almost double, over 70 dBA which consider disturbing
level.
— Please move pickleball courts away from the playground and picnic areas.
— Please move it to along Stevens Creek and Anton. The noise does not bother anyone there, and players can easy to park at new
parking lot on Anton. There are pickleball courts in the sports center tennis court too. So that noise is no longer issue.
• Basketball court #14
— Please move basketball court to where pickleball courts were located after they were moved to along the Stevens Creek.
Then, extend the playground to where the basketball was located.
• Amphitheater #9
— This has to be upgraded to safe and add wheel chair seating area. The many tree roots are exposed at side of seating area. The
wood fence at back of the amphitheater already broken. It is unsafe if people sit on the fence.
I would be very appreciate it if you could consider.
Regards,
Nori
From:Susan Michael
To:City Clerk
Cc:Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander
Subject:FW: Memorial Park Specific Plan - Blended Concept
Date:Monday, June 5, 2023 6:52:40 PM
Attachments:Preferred Draft Concept, Site Plan.png
Preferred Draft Concept, Site Plan.png
image017.png
image018.png
image019.png
image020.png
image021.png
image022.png
image023.png
image024.png
image025.png
image026.png
image027.png
image028.png
image029.png
image030.png
image031.png
image032.png
City Clerk’s office,
Please include this email as part of written communications for the 6/21 City Council meeting, as per the request of Commissioner Begur.
Susan Michael
Capital Improvement Programs Manager
Public Works
susanm@cupertino.org
(408)777-1328/(408)510-0622
From: Sashi Begur <SBegur@cupertino.org>
Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 7:39 PM
To: Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: Carol Stanek <cstanek@cupertino.org>; Rachelle Sander <RachelleS@cupertino.org>; Jenny Koverman <JennyK@cupertino.org>; Susan Michael <susanm@cupertino.org>
Subject: Re: Memorial Park Specific Plan - Blended Concept
Thank you Nori, for speaking yesterday and as well for this email.
Your ideas make very good sense. I’m copying the liaison and the director of Parks and Rec, and also the director of public works Susan Michael, to make sure they are aware of this email and also so your input can be included in the package to the council.
Regards
Sashi
Sent from my iPhone
Sashi Begur
Parks and Recration Commissioner
SBegur@cupertino.org
On Jun 2, 2023, at 4:37 PM, Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Commissioner Stanek, Commissioner Shearin, Commissioner Begur, Commissioner Swamy, and Commissioner Buch,
I joined the meeting and spoke yesterday.
• Playground #12
— Based on the presentation from Gates yesterday, the playground looks too small for age 2-5, 5-12, and Tricycle track. It has to be much bigger after closing 2 current unsafe playgrounds and locating in the current baseball field. Have you seen the
current playgrounds on weekends, holiday, and during/after events? The playground is full of the family with children. In addition, children in Summer Camp at Quinlan Center go to the playground during the break.
— The new playground has to be all inclusive playground for all children with physical and cognitive disabilities also. So that many more families can visit after the Memorial park was revitalized.
• Pickleball Courts #15
— Pickleball is getting popular, but the loud noise bothers some people. Have you walked by the current pickleball courts when all courts are in use and listened the sound? The loud noise bothers children who are sensitive to the sound, especially some
autism children. The tennis noise is 40 dBA, but Pickleball is almost double, over 70 dBA which consider disturbing level.
— Please move pickleball courts away from the playground or picnic areas.
— Please move it to next #4 Expanded Senior Center Courtyard and the main entrance along Stevens Creek. The noise does not bother anyone, and players can easy to park at new parking lot on Anton. There are pickleball courts in the sports center tennis
court too. So that noise is no longer issue.
• Basketball court #14
— Please move basketball court to where pickleball courts were located after they were moved to along the Stevens Creek. Then, extend the playground to where the basketball was located.
• Amphitheater #9
— This has to be upgraded to safe and add wheel chair seating. I will send you photos later but the edge of current seating area has holes and easy to fall over and danger, especially children. Is the wood fence at back of the amphitheater safe if people sat
on it during the event?
I would be very appreciate it if you could consider,
Regards,
Nori
On May 31, 2023, at 2:34 AM, Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Hi Commissioner Stanek, Commissioner Shearin, Commissioner Begur, Commissioner Swamy, and Commissioner Buch,
Based on Park and Recreation Commission meeting agenda this week, the schematic design of the Memorial Park will be presented by CIP manager Michael. Based on the staff report, concept A was chosen, but add various attributes from
other concepts in order to make it most desirable design. The blended concept design can meet everyone’s interest.
I am glad you took consideration of removing underutilized softball field and add various amenities. Please relocate the current 2 small unsafe playgrounds into one large safe playground there. Please the new playground is all inclusive
playground for children for all ages and abilities (physical and cognitive disabilities).
Pickle ball is getting popular, but the high pitch loud sound bothers some people. Please locate the pickle ball court away from the playground, so that the high pitch loud sound does not bother some sound sensitive children.
Please add wheel chair seating area when you upgrade amphitheater.
Thank you,Nori
On Feb 6, 2023, at 9:15 PM, Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Begin forwarded message:
From: Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Memorial Park Specific Plan - Blended Concept
Date: February 6, 2023 at 2:48:42 AM PST
To: Ayano Hattori <AyanoH@cupertino.org>, Chad Mosley <ChadM@cupertino.org>, Rachelle Sander <RachelleS@cupertino.org>, Susan Michael AIA <susanm@cupertino.org>
Cc: Pamela Wu <PamelaW@cupertino.org>, Matt Morley <MattM@cupertino.org>
Hi Manager Hattori, Assistant Director Mosley, Director Sander, and Manger Michael,
Revitalized Memorial Park Community Open House was great. I could have an opportunity to talk to Micheal and Rebecca from Gates. I also could talk to CIP manager, Micheal, and new Park & Recreation
Commissioner Shearin.
I would be very appreciate it if you could take below my comments and proposals into consideration to the design.
1. Memorial Park does not have to be identify focused park. It could be Blended concept with Community Focus, Nature Focus, and Civic Focus to meet many people’s interest.
2. The least amount interest softball field becomes to the multi age play area is great concept. The softball field is empty most of the time.
3. There is large senior population in Cupertino. The multi age play area can meet those senior population. However, Cupertino should also focus on the children/young population.
4. There are full of families at playground on weekends, holidays, during the events, and also children in Summer Camp at Quinlan Center go to the playground during the break.
5. The playground in the Concept A, Community Focus is too small after closing 2 current playgrounds. Remove Bocce Ball Court and reduce table game area to expand the playground for the children. The newplayground should be bigger and all inclusive playground for children for all ages and abilities (physical and cognitive disabilities). Bike Traffic Garden must be fun for the children.
6. The play area should be safe soft rubber ground, not the current wood chips nor lawn, and wheel chair access.
7. Move dedicated Pickleball courts to the current small playground is located. Away from the playground. Pickleball is popular game now, but it makes high pitch very loud noise.
8. The field where the big pond was located to be nature area with passive garden walk and add Nature Playground from Concept B (Nature Focus).
9. There are still 2 large fields for events. The Stevens Creek side of field is bigger now after the pond was removed.
10 . Upgraded Amphitheater should stay the current location. The truck comes from Alves to Anton and park behind the Amphitheater and load/unload the equipments or the music instruments during the
performance. The equipments or the music instruments can be moved through the big truck entrance next to the Amphitheater.
11. Please add wheel chair seating area at the upgraded Amphitheater.
Regards,
Nori
<Blended Concept .png>
From:Rhoda Fry
To:City Clerk; City Council
Subject:Agenda Item #1, Memorial Park
Date:Tuesday, June 20, 2023 4:11:50 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council,
Agenda Item #1, Memorial Park, I think that it would be a shame to remove the existing amenity of
the softball field. Perhaps efforts should be made to make it known to the public before considering
its removal. Our City is poised to increase its population and having this type of amenity would be
hard to replace. Memorial Park is pretty big and if we need more amenities there, I’m confident that
there’s be room for them elsewhere.
Also, if you’re considering basketball and other noisy activities, please consider a location that is
furthest away from homes. And please also check for the acoustics. Sometimes noise can travel in
unexpected ways and it would be unfortunate to put a loud amenity in an area that would impact
our residents (even a noisy amenity further away from homes could be more impactful).
Please also consider building underground parking.
Finally, I do think that this project should be shelved until we know the outcome of the CDTFA audit.
We should know within 8 weeks or so. Spending money on CEQA contracts and/or expensive studies
should not be considered until we fully understand our city’s financial situation.
Thanks,
Rhoda fry