CC 10-17-2023 Item No. 8. Blackberry Farm Golf Course_Staff PresentationCity Council • October 17, 2023
Blackberry Farm Golf Course
Update on Feasibility Studies
CC 10-17-2023 Item No. 8
Subject:
Blackberry Farm (BBF) Golf Course Feasibility Study, considering
options to complete minimal repairs and improvements to the
BBF Golf Course (Option 1) or convert BBF Golf Course to a
Natural Habitat (Option 3)
Recommended Action:
Direct staff to proceed with minimal repairs to maintain the BBF
Golf Course (Option 1)
Subject and Recommended Action:
Agenda 1. Background & Site
2. Reports’ Key Points
3. Next steps & Recommendation
Update on
Feasibility Studies
Stevens Creek Corridor includes
•McClellan Ranch Preserve
•Blackberry Farm Park
•Blackberry Farm Golf Course
•Stocklmeir House & Orchard
•Blesch property
•Stevens Creek Trail
Background:
Site Parameters
•2020: 60-year-old irrigation system at BBF
Golf Course requires improvements.
•2021:City Council directs Staff to study
options for “Minimal Repairs” and
“Convert to Natural Habitat”
•2022: Studies and Public Outreach
completed
Background
•New irrigation system: projected to use 8.5M gal
water annually over full site, reduced from 15.9M
•Replant ponds area with native plantings and
biofiltration system
•Shorten hole #9 to improve safety
•Install netting between holes to improve safety
•$1.97M total capital cost (2022 estimate)
•$8.12M total O&M cost over 25 years (incl. revenues)
Report: Minimal Repairs to Golf Course
Report: Convert to Natural Habitat
•Return to “Oak Savanna”
•Nature trails, outdoor seating, environmental
education along with other non-field recreational
opportunities
•Native habitat will include special-status plants and
expect some wildlife species to reappear
•New irrigation system for 3 to 5 years to establish, then
removed after 8 years
•$1.88M total capital cost (2022 estimate)
•$10.22M total O&M cost over 25 years (incl. revenues)
Report: Public Outreach
•2019 PRSMP outreach: high values to natural open
space & recreational diversity
•52% of survey respondents prefer Golf Course, but
57% of Cupertino residents prefer Natural Habitat
•Both options scored high marks when asked
“would you use it often in the future?”
•Over 4000 responses to the public survey, 3 in-
person events, and 2 Commissions meetings
If Council gives direction to keep the golf course,Staff will
pursue with some investigations:
a.Minimal Repairs: scope and costs
b.Operational improvements that improve revenue
generation
c.Golf Course Enhancements that improve the course and
perhaps reduce the footprint
d.Explore Lease Options with outside vendors to reduce
costs and increase City revenues
Next Steps
Given the high usage of the golf course and
the recreational need that it meets,
combined with opportunities to reduce costs
through water efficiency and increased
revenue through fee adjustments, Staff
recommends that the golf course be
retained and that Council direct staff to
proceed with Option 1.
Recommendation
Questions?
Thank You