CC 07-19-2022 Special Meeting Item No. 1. Lawrence-Mitty Update_Written CommunicationsFrom:Eugene
To:City Clerk; City Council
Subject:City Council, July 19, Agenda #1 Lawrence Mitty Park 1. Subject: Consider receipt of an update on the Lawrence-
Mitty Park project.
Date:Monday, July 18, 2022 10:42:33 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.
For public comment for meeting on July 19th:
Mayor Paul, Councilmembers and City Manager,
I'm a longtime resident of Cupertino and I am excited about Lawrence Mitty Park. I wanted to
provide 3 suggestions as you are developing the park:
1) I urge you to include native trees and plants in the park. Native trees and plants support
biodiversity while non-native trees can actually harm biodiversity. Various species, insects,
birds, and animals native to the area have co-evolved around trees and plants that are native,
over thousands of years. These native trees and plants are sources of food, shelter, and
protection, and therefore important to the health of the local ecosystem.
2) I urge that the city consider placing the bike path as far away from the creek as possible to
reduce noise disruptions to the numerous species living in and around the creek. Studies have
shown that man-made sounds disrupt the delicate ecosystems in nature. A multitude of
animals and insects rely on sound to communicate, to hunt, to escape predators.
3) I urge the city to reduce artificial lighting in the park. Artificial lightning disrupts many
animals' natural biological rhythms and can cause damage to the ecosystem. Some animals
rely on the darkness of night to hunt, while others need darkness to rest. They don't have the
luxury that humans have of going to their bedrooms and closing the curtains.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Eugene
From:Rose Grymes
To:City Clerk; City Council; Cupertino City Manager"s Office
Subject:Lawrence Mitty Park
Date:Monday, July 18, 2022 3:40:20 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.
Mayor Paul, City Council Members, and City Manager:
Thank you for the opportunity to address plans for Lawrence Mitty Park. A new park in Cupertino is a wonderful
development, to be enjoyed and appreciated by residents and visitors now and for decades to come. Your focus on
parks and green spaces advances Cupertino’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. In fact,
in very fundamental ways it contributes quite directly to Cupertino’s future.
Several associated plans; General Plan, Bikes/Pedestrian Plan, Parks and Rec Plan, and CAP 2.0; address balancing
resident and business interests with the requirements of the natural environment sustaining us all. Adding a tree
canopy as a priority in the CAP 2.0 plan is a significant benefit. Please include, also, native plantings—grasses,
shrubs, and trees. This offers longterm advantages through reducing the need for irrigation and providing essential
habitat for native fauna. Keeping bike and running paths away from quiet, contemplative enclaves allows both
humans and plants/animals to find sequestered resting places. Finally, please keep artificial lighting to a minimum.
Artificial lighting is not only a monetary cost for installation and power, it has detrimental impacts on the natural
environment. Essential safety concerns should be met, but low intensity and motion-activated lighting can minimize
the impact of ‘un’-natural lighting.
Thanks for the opportunity to provide input,
Rose Grymes
22111 Lindy Lane
Cupertino 95104
From:Connie Cunningham
To:City Clerk; City Council
Subject:City Council, July 19, 5:30 pm--Agenda #1 Lawrence Mitty Park
Date:Sunday, July 17, 2022 3:26:50 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.
City Council, July 19, Agenda #1 Lawrence Mitty Park 1. Subject: Consider receipt of
an update on the Lawrence-Mitty Park project. Recommended Action: Receive an update on
the status of the Environmental Summary Report, public outreach process, and joint
commission recommendations for the Lawrence-Mitty Park project and provide input.
Mayor Paul, Councilmembers and City Manager,
Thank you for the excellent update about the new Lawrence Mitty Park. This is
an exciting topic—a new park in Cupertino—I have walked the length of the
planned park from Bollinger Road to Lawrence and Mitty at the pedestrian
crossing. My friends who live near this park, are also excited about walking this
trail. I noted the Yellow Warbler discussed in the report. I am a bird lover so
am particularly interested in bird life here.
Several plans referenced, General Plan, Bike-Ped Plan, Parks and Rec Plan, and
CAP 2.0 all speak to balancing the needs of nature and the needs of the
community. It is heartening to read about the community input supporting the
local wildlife habitat and use of parks that promote education about nature and
play that allow time for interaction with nature. The CAP 2.0 plan is different
from the existing CAP: the addition of the tree canopy as an important climate
change strategy.
1. I urge you to include California native trees, plants and grasses. This park is
large enough to accommodate them. It already has several of California native
trees so new plants will support existing natural growth.
2. I urge designers to put the bike trail as far from the creek as possible to
keep the faster traffic away from the quieter area of the creek. The bikes will
still be in the vicinity of the creek and can enjoy it a little farther away than
children and adults who are walking/playing.
3. Eliminate artificial lighting. Lights disrupt wild life passage. Artificial
lighting disturbs the natural biological rhythms of birds, insects, animals, and
plants. Many studies show that light pollution impacts humans, too, leading to
moods changes, difficulty with sleeping, as well as cancer.
Thank you for the time to comment on this exciting new park.
Connie Cunningham
Cupertino Resident and homeowner for 34 years
Audubon Society Member