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Report presenting the preferred concept design for the Centennial Trail Park North project (project no. pk2302). (Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive a report on the preferred concept design for the Centennial Trail Park North project and provide feedback prior to its presentation to City Council in January 2027.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Centennial Trail Park North project will transform an underutilized segment of the Centennial Way Trail between BART Road and Sequoia Avenue, adjacent to the South San Francisco BART Station, into a new neighborhood park. The project's grant funding requires a play area and an outdoor classroom. Based on community input, the park program also includes an open lawn and a skate space.
Community Workshop 1 and Survey 1. The first community workshop was held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 along the Centennial Way Trail near the South San Francisco BART Station. An online survey was conducted from August 1 through August 16 and received more than 40 responses. The most requested park features were a designated teen space, climber play feature, companion slide, swings, and native plants.
Community Workshop 2 and Survey 2. The second community workshop was held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the north trailhead of the Centennial Way Trail. The workshop was organized into four stations: project background and a summary of Workshop 1 feedback; two conceptual design alternatives (the Waterways concept and the Transportation concept); a distinct play area theme for each alternative; and information on the proposed skate space, outdoor classroom/teen space, and public art. Participants provided feedback through written comments on the plans, sticker voting, and a survey offered in English and Spanish in both printed and online formats. The online survey remained open through October 21, 2026.
Thirteen people signed in at the workshop, and 31 surveys were received, including four paper surveys and 27 online surveys. Key findings from Workshop 2 and Survey 2 include:
• Overall layout. Respondents were closely divided on the overall concept, with 54% preferring the Transportation concept and 46% preferring the Waterways concept. Participants generally favored the Transportation layout and amenity placement, which places the play area at the north end near the trailhead and BART, the skate space farther south along the trail, and the lawn separating the two.
• Play area theme. 62% of respondents preferred the Waterways play area theme and 38% preferred the Transportation theme. Respondents cited the fish climbing structure, the blue, green, and earth-tone color palette, and a nature-based theme that is distinct from other play areas in the city.
• Skate space. There was strong support for the skate space. Many respondents requested a smooth concrete (“warehouse floor”) surface and new concrete features rather than relocated equipment. Of the Orange Memorial Park features ranked for relocation, the Flat Rail (20%), Ledge (19%), and Quarterpipe (18%) ranked highest, followed by the Bank (16%), A-Frame (14%), and Manny Pad (13%).
• Public art. If public art takes the form of a mural or mosaic, respondents preferred a pavement mosaic (44%) or a seatwall mosaic (40%), followed by a seatwall mural (12%) and a pavement mural (4%).
• Other amenities. Recurring comments included shade and additional trees, seating (including benches for older adults), restrooms, improved trail lighting, accessible paths, access from Sequoia Avenue, native plants, and dog waste stations along the trail. Some respondents also requested bike skills features along the trail and parking.
Parks and Recreation Commission Feedback. Staff provided a project update to the Parks and Recreation Commission at its October meeting. Commission feedback included providing a physical barrier between the trail and the play area and skate space, and locating the playground closer to the BART parking lot.
Preferred Concept Design. The design team developed a preferred concept design that incorporates feedback from Workshop 1, Workshop 2, both community surveys, the Skate Focus Group, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The preferred concept uses the higher-rated Waterways theme while following the preferred site layout of the Transportation concept. Key features include:
1. Play area. The play area is located closer to the BART parking lot, providing a shorter walk for families arriving from BART, utilizing the BART parking lot and the trailhead. It includes separate tot and youth play areas with Waterways-themed equipment, including a fish climbing structure, in blue, green, and earth tones. Potential public art in the pavement around the play area reflects the community’s preference for a pavement mosaic.
2. Barrier between trail and park uses. In response to Commission comments, a barrier fence is provided between the trail and the play area and skate space.
3. Open lawn. An open lawn separates the play area from the skate space. The plan includes a label indicating the size of the lawn, approximately 100 feet by 50 feet.
4. Skate space. Based on Skate Focus Group feedback, the skate space will be paved with smooth concrete rather than asphalt. Because concrete is more expensive, the overall skate area footprint has been reduced. The most popular skate features from Orange Memorial Park would fit within the resized skate space.
5. Outdoor classroom/teen space. A teen hangout zone and outdoor classroom with curved, multi-level seating is located near BART Road. The final layout of this area is still being evaluated.
6. Trail and site amenities. The trail pavement will be widened to 12 feet with 2-foot shoulders. Additional amenities include picnic tables, benches, seating areas, trees, and upgraded fixtures on existing light poles to improve lighting. A location for a possible future portable restroom has been identified near BART Road.
Next Steps. Staff will incorporate feedback from the Parks and Recreation Commission into the preferred concept design and present the design to City Council in January 2027. Following City Council review, the project will proceed to construction documents, followed by bidding and construction in 2027-2028.