07 - July 24, 2025 - Lawrence Mitty Park and Trail, CIP Project Update
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
July 24, 2025
To: Cupertino City Council
From: CIP Division, Department of Public Works
Re: Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail, CIP project update
Background
The 7.83-acre Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail Project site is located west of Lawrence
Expressway and east of Saratoga Creek, between Calvert Drive and Bollinger Road (see
Figure 1 below).
The City of Cupertino has envisioned the Lawrence-Mitty site as a public park since
2002. The land use on this property was pre-zoned to “Pre-PR” in 2006 to align the
zoning with the City’s intended use as parks and open space. This helped with
furthering plans to acquire the property for recreational purposes, including extension
of the existing San Tomas-Aquino-Saratoga Creek Trail. The City acquired the
Lawrence-Mitty property from the County of Santa Clara in 2020, and subsequently
annexed the property from the City of San Jose into Cupertino’s jurisdiction in August
2022. The PR zoning for the property became effective at the time of the annexation.
The City’s plan to develop the site into a park facility includes an extension of the San
Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail, as was originally envisioned by the County of
Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department in 1999.1 As a first step in the park’s
1 Available online at https://parks.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb961/files/S-T-A-
Saratoga%20crk%20Trl%20Mstr%20Plan%206.29.99.pdf
Figure 1: Site Location
development, the City produced a conceptual plan which reflects community input and
the goals laid out in the City’s 2020 Parks and Recreation System Master Plan.2
Throughout the development of the design, the City solicited public input via online and
in-person surveys, site pop-ups, community meetings, and presented at numerous
commission meetings, and to the City Council, to gather input and ideas on the park
design and amenities.3
The Final Conceptual Plan, approved by City Council at the July 2, 2024 meeting, is
reflective of the following considerations:
(a) Represents directives received to date from the community, commissions, and
City Council;
(b) Is consistent with the Goals, Policies, and Strategies of the General Plan and the
Parks and Recreation System Master Plan;
(c) Will not have significant negative impact on the environment; and
(d) Provides the design intent for the future phases of design and construction of the
park and trail.
The Final Conceptual Design includes an extension of the Saratoga Creek/San Tomas
Aquino trail, as well as nature play areas, and picnic groves among other features as
shown in Attachment A.
Parks and Recreation Commission Review
On June 11, 2024, the Parks and Recreation Commission considered the proposed final
conceptual design and made a favorable recommendation to the City Council, as
required by CMC section 19.92.040. On May 1, 2025, an update on the this project was
presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Project Update
Following the conceptual design, the project will progress into new phases:
A Design Development (60% PS&E) August 2025
B Regulatory Permitting August 2025 to April 2026
C Construction Documents (95% PS&E) May 2026 to August 2026
D Bid and Permitting (including 100% PS&E) September 2026 to November 2026
E Construction December 2026 to November 2027
A. Design Development (Current Phase)
MIG’s current project team comprises landscape architects, civil engineers, cost
estimators, arborists, biologists, and other environmental specialists. They are currently
working to advance the Final Conceptual Design into a 60% complete Plans,
Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) design package. Illustrations of the in-progress
2 Available online at https://parksmp.cupertino.org/index.html
3 Community engagement events are listed on the Engage Cupertino website:
https://engagecupertino.org/lawrencemitty
layout and planting plans can be found in Attachment B. The images below illustrate a
comparison of the conceptual plan and the design development set. More specificity is
shown for some of the park park features, information on the types of planting, and
definition of the extent of the work area.
The primary objective of this phase is to align the approved conceptual design with the
site's technical constraints and the project budget. The project team is planning the
necessary earthwork—including soil cutting and filling—as well as the installation of
planting, surfacing treatments, equipment, and furnishings. In parallel, the team is also
developing the underground infrastructure needed for site irrigation and drainage. As
the design evolves, consultants are refining cost estimates to ensure the project remains
within budget.
B. Regulatory Permitting
Using the 60% PS&E design set as a basis, MIG will evaluate potential impacts to ensure
compliance with all applicable permitting requirements. This includes identifying,
assessing, and quantifying both temporary and permanent impacts to jurisdictional
habitats within the project area.
The proposed project does not impact Saratoga Creek below the Ordinary High Water
Mark (OHWM) and, therefore, does not require authorization from the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE). However, because the project includes work within the creek’s
bank and adjacent riparian habitat, authorization may be required from the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Regional Water Quality Control Board
(RWQCB). Both agencies regulate activities occurring within the bed, bank, or channel of
a stream and its associated riparian habitat. Additionally, the RWQCB may assert
jurisdiction over areas within the 100-year floodplain, even if those areas lie outside the
top of bank or defined riparian zone.
To facilitate timely permit approvals, MIG will initiate early coordination with
regulatory agencies. Engaging with agency staff during the planning phase helps resolve
technical questions in advance, reducing the likelihood of delays during formal
application review. Should new permitting requirements arise through this coordination
process, MIG will update the City with a revised permitting timeline reflecting the
expected agency review process.
Following these discussions and incorporating agency feedback, MIG will prepare and
submit complete permit application packages to the appropriate regulatory bodies for
review and approval.
C. Construction Documents (95% PS&E)
Building on insights gained during the regulatory permitting process and the Design
Development phase, the MIG team will advance the PS&E set to approximately 95%
completion. This comprehensive package will include layout and planting plans,
schedules for equipment, furnishings, and materials, as well as stormwater management
and drainage plans. City staff will review the draft PS&E set along with the MIG team’s
updated cost estimate report prior to moving into the subsequent phases.
D. Bid and Permitting (including 100% PS&E)
The 95% PS&E set will be submitted for Cupertino Building and Planning division’s
permit application review process. After first round of comments are received, this set
can be used for the public bid process. While the MIG team continues to support the
permitting process and address any required revisions, City staff will begin the public
bidding process to select a qualified general contractor.
E. Construction
Once the general contractor’s contract is approved and executed, and all necessary
permits are secured, construction can commence. The construction phase is anticipated
to last approximately twelve months.
During this phase, the project team will expand to include construction management
and inspection consultants. MIG will provide construction support services as needed,
such as responding to contractor inquiries, reviewing submittals, and conducting site
visits to monitor progress and ensure compliance with the design intent. The consultants
will work closely with City staff and the general contractor to address site conditions,
clarify design details, and facilitate the successful implementation of the project
Sustainability Impact
The project will improve the parcel by mitigating the impact of the paved surfaces that
exist, and improving the storm water drainage system on site. Receiving a status report
on the project has no sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
City Work Program Item/Description
None
City Council Goal
Quality of Life
CEQA Impact
None
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Susan Michael, CIP Manager
Reviewed by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, Interim City Manager
Attachments:
A – LMPT Final Conceptual Design July 2024
B – LMPT Design update July 2025
ATTACHMENT A
Though the creekside deck overlook will extend
over the top of bank, the foundation and support
beams for the deck will be placed entirely outside of
the top of bank to minimize impacts to creek habitat.
Lighting is not planned due to its detrimental
effect on wildlife. The exception may be at a future
restroom, which is close to the expressway.
CONCEPT LEGEND
Park Boundary
Saratoga Creek (OHWM)
Top of Bank
Existing Vegetation:
Riparian Zone
Tree Canopy (Existing)
Tree Root Protection Zone
New Vegetation:
Trees (Proposed)
Stormwater Areas
Native/Climate Adapted Planting
Open Meadow Space
Circulation:
Paved Multi-use Path
Walking Path
Maintenance/Emergency Access
Recreation Features:
Play Area
Creekside Deck Overlook
Creekside Bench Overlook
Shaded Seating / Picnic Table
Inspiration Images:
See image collage#
8 7
2
4
3
5
6
1
9 Potential Restroom Location (Future)
Stormwater (Dry Creek)
Pedestrian Crossing to Mitty Way
(Existing) trail continues south
(New) trail continues north
Boardwalk Crossings
Play Area: Nest Swings
Creekside Bench Overlook / Shaded Seating
Picnic Grove
Creekside Overlook Deck
Pedestrian Bridge to Sterling Barnhart Park Existing bank stabilization
Gated Entrance Maintenance / Emergency Access
Gated Entrance Maintenance / Emergency Access
Bioretention Area
Landscape Berm (6-8 ft high for noise reduction, road buffer)
Nature Play Area (Future Net Climber)
Play Area: Rock Climber
Meadow Area
Boardwalk Crossing
Trail Turn-around
Native / Climate Adapted Landscaping
Future Trail Connection North to Stevens Creek Blvd
NORTH PARK AND TRAIL CONCEPT GRAPHIC
Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail Concept Plan | 14City of Cupertino
4. CONCEPT PLAN CONCEPT PLAN
Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail Concept Plan July 2024
Parks and Recreation Commission
May 1, 2025
Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail
CIP Project Update
ATTACHMENT B
EXCERPTS FROM
Budget Alignment: Concept Design Phase
Limit of Work
Concentrated to high-
opportunity, high-need
areas of the site
Design
Focus on cost efficiency
and meeting the
community vision
•Balancing cut/fill of soil
onsite to create a berm
instead of a sound wall
•Reduced piping
infrastructure
Budget Alignment: Design Development Phase
Cost Reduction
Strategy
•Planning for escalation
•Simplifying where we can,
while maintaining
community desired
experiences
•Balanced approach to
reductions for landscaping
Cost Drivers
•Project Scale: 111,288 SF
(2.55 acres)
•Construction:
Demolition / Site Preparation
Landscaping & Irrigation
Pedestrian Paving
Playground Surfacing
Play Equipment
Fencing & Site Furnishing
Site Mechanical Utilities
Site Electrical Utilities
Design Development Plan
Design Development Plan: Layout
Design Development Plan: Planting
Design Development Plan: Active Recreation
Design Development Plan: Amenities & Natural Features
Next Steps
Design Development: 30%
Construction Documents
Submit 60%Construction Documents
& Environmental Regulatory Permitting
100% Construction Documents
& City Permitting
Bid/Award to General Contractor
Construction
July
Jun. to Apr.
May to Aug.
Sept. to Nov.
Dec. to Nov.
2025
2026
2027