Title
Report providing an update on the Linden Avenue Park project, Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center project, and Dundee Park project. (Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects and Jake Gilchrist, Director of Capital Projects)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on the Linden Park project, Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center project, and the Dundee Park project.
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Linden Park Project Update
Following City Council’s direction from the May presentation of the concept design, the design team has initiated development of the construction documents. The Design Development package was circulated to City divisions, including Public Works, Engineering, Building, Parks, and Water Quality for review. Comments have been received and are now being incorporated into the construction documents. The current cost estimate, based on the Design Development documents, remains within the approved project budget, eliminating the need for a value engineering process.
Work is also underway on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to satisfy California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. This study evaluates the project’s potential impacts on traffic, hydrology, water quality, transportation, air quality, cultural resources, and other factors, and identifies any necessary mitigation measures. The IS/MND will be released for public review and comment in the coming months.
In response to community input, the park design includes public art features such as light columns, ground mosaics, and a play element. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was widely advertised through artist databases, social media, newsletters, the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture, and the project webpage. From 34 applicants, 15 were shortlisted, and five finalists have been selected. A community event will be held on October 4 at 616 Linden, where the finalists will present their concept proposals. The Cultural Arts Public Art Subcommittee will review these proposals and forward their recommendations to the full Cultural Arts Commission for consideration.
The City is exploring both a permanent prefabricated restroom and a subscription-based portable restroom for the park. Staff has coordinated a 10-month pilot program with Throne Labs, Inc. for deployment of a smart, ADA-accessible single-stall restroom unit. Throne restrooms are currently in public use at the Redwood City Caltrain Station and at multiple locations for AC Transit drivers.
The pilot will begin in September, with the unit located at the 616 Linden Avenue lot. Access is managed via QR code, text message, or access cards, which will be distributed at Grand Avenue Library. No personal data will be collected.
During the trial, staff will evaluate usage data (provided by Throne’s remote sensors), conduct user experience surveys, and monitor overall performance and public feedback to inform long-term decisions. The restroom features include a flushing toilet, running water sink, climate control, baby changing station, menstrual product dispenser, sharps container, graffiti-resistant wrap, and 24/7 remote monitoring. The cost of the pilot will be covered using existing park maintenance funds.
Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Update
Construction of the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center continues to progress steadily, with the building and windscreen elements now taking shape. Current work includes:
• Installation of plumbing, and electrical infrastructure below the pool decks
• Overhead fire sprinkler installation
• Framing of interior walls
• Installation of pool tiles
• Construction of the perimeter windscreen framework
Off-site improvements by CalWater have also been completed, including the installation of new fire hydrants along Orange Avenue and Tennis Drive. Temporary striping has been applied, and additional safety measures, such as rumble strips and enhanced signage, are being installed at the Tennis Drive parking lot crossing to encourage slower vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
To mitigate dust, the contractor has covered soil stockpiles with tarps, actively using water trucks and manual hosing and automatic sprinklers. Additional temporary rumble strips and additional signage at the centerline of the Tennis Drive crosswalk has been added to improve driver awareness of pedestrian crossing and help to reduce vehicle speeds.
Staff continues to work closely with Swinerton Consulting & Management (construction manager) and Wickman, Inc. (general contractor) to plan the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2. During the transition between these phases, the existing Orange Pool will be closed and demolished as preparations are made to bring the new Aquatic Center online and open it to the public.
Once the concrete pool decks for both the indoor and outdoor pools have been poured in late August, staff will coordinate a second round of site tours for Commissioners to observe construction progress firsthand.
Dundee Park Remodel Update
Following our presentation to Parks and Recreation Commission in March, staff hosted a Community Workshop on April 14 to review two options for the playground equipment and discuss overall park improvements. Following that, staff shared a community survey with residents that covered the same content as the workshop. Between the workshop and survey, staff received feedback from approximately 50 people. The result of the feedback is a design that combines features of both options.
Below are some highlights regarding the feedback:
• There is broad support for the overall park improvements, including the addition of a picnic area and the leveling of the sport court.
• There were some inquiries about barbecues. However, staff is concerned about the litter and fire risk created by installing permanent barbecues.
• Some neighbors requested a dog play area but there is no feasible space within the park for a dedicated dog area.
• More sitting areas were requested - these are not shown in the drawings but will be added in their existing location along Dundee Drive.
• Street lighting is an issue that we will review with the Public Works Department.
• Better shade will be created with additional tree planting and the coverage of integral shade elements on the playground components.
• There were concerns about court conflicts between basketball users and trike/bike/scooter users. Having a multiple use court has worked in other parks and are typically used on a first-come, first-served basis.
Playground
• Given the small size of the park, there is a general feeling of maximizing the play elements within the footprint of the playground.
• Bright and light colors are preferable.
• Toddler swings instead of a group swing is preferred due to safely concerns and a need to focus on younger children.
We are awaiting pricing from the contractor and hope to take the project to Council for award of contract on September 10, 2025.