20 Desk Item - Community and Youth Sports at Vasona Park~VIH0
~~MI{I
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: June 2, 2008
MEETING DATE: 612108
ITEM NO. 20
DESK ITEM
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDER STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING
COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SPORTS FACILITIES AND DISPOSITION OF TOWN
LAND WITHIN VASONA PARK
DISCUSSION:
Attached are three additional e-mails that were received regarding this item.
AffAAtnPntc
1. 612/08 e-mail from Peggy Dallas
2. 6/2/08 e-mail from Khoa Vo
3. 6/2/08 e-mail from Christine Currie
puti~& d eeha.'
PREPARED BY: PAMELA JACOBS
Assistant Town Manager
PJ:pg
NAMOMAdminworkFiles12008 Council Repotfs16-2-08 Vasona sale Desk ltem.doc
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator Finance Community Development
Page 1 of 4
Patsy Garcia - Town Land within Vasona Park
x
From: "Peggy Dallas" <pdallas@infospect.com>
To: <manager@losgatosca.gov>
Date: 6/2/2008 6:47 AM
Subject: Town Land within Vasona Park
CC: <bspector@losgatosca.gov>, <mwasserman@losgatosca.gov>,
<sglickman@losgatosca.gov>, <drncnutt@losgatosca.gov>,
<jpirzynski@losgatosca. gov>
Dear Town Manager and Town Council,
This letter is in response to the Town staff report regarding the "...Disposition of Town Land within Vasona Park",
dated May 23, 2008. 1 am concerned that the Town is rushing into an irreversible sale that will have long term
consequences.
The staff report recommends selling the land for $6 million and putting that money in reserve for a community
sports complex. Let's go shopping for land:
* There is the Swanson Ford property (4.6 acres) which just sold for approximately $4 million an acre.
* The property just north of the JCC on Oka Road where there are several parcels (totaling 18+ acres)
some of which are zoned commercial. This area has possibilities but still the price would be prohibitive and
most people would have to drive to get there.
* And there is the property referred to as the North 40, the area enclosed by Lark, Los Gatos Boulevard,
Hwy 17 and Hwy 85 selling for around $3.5 million per acre. There is speculation about a hotel on this
land. The best case scenario here would involve the hotel developers selling the town some of the land for
$1 million per acre for a sports complex to create "community benefit." At this location, most everyone
would have to drive to get there, which would increase the already busy traffic there. The widening of Los
Gatos Boulevard will ease but not decrease traffic volume. The sports complex would be located amidst
heavy traffic fumes from all sides.
Are there any other properties in Town potentially available? What would the cost be to the Town?
The staff report places a value on the Vasona parcel based on residential development (so-called "best use") and
on "comparable" appraisal methods. Neither makes sense here. If we sell this parcel, we will need to buy another
piece of land for the sports complex, so the only measure that works is replacement cost. It doesn't take long to
realize that the land adjacent to Oak Meadow is irreplaceable, priceless.
Instead of selling, the town could hold on to its land hoping for a trade with the county. If the trade never happens,
we could begin to use our parcel, starting in 2010, for volleyball pits, a dog park, a basketball court, and so on.
Two soccer fields could be set up on the lawn in Oak Meadow Park which would still leave the large grassy area
available for Frisbee, etc. when soccer wasn't being played. We would have a centrally located sports complex
ATTACHMENT 1
file:X:1Documents and Settingslpgarcia.LOSGATOSCA1L(,)ca.1 S~fti~~~s1~E`E rr~pl~PgxTwi~
Page 2 of 4
and it could happen in the foreseeable future.
The recent staff report discusses three alternatives to selling and describes why each doesn't work. Let's review
them:
1. Force the County to Provide Active Recreational Space within Vasona Park
The County has been steadfast in opposing any change to their traditional role of providing passive
recreational space, leaving the provision of active recreational space and sports facilities to local
municipalities, as is usually the case. This policy position has existed for decades and extends from Parks
staff through executive management to the Board of Supervisors.
The county's policy doesn't affect Los Gatos park lands. The county's policy would remain intact for their property.
In 2010, we regain use of our property and can use it as an extension of Oak Meadow Park. Is a volleyball pit less
passive than Vasona Vibrations? ...the Norouz Festival?... Fantasy of Lights?
The argument that the Town could force a change upon the County by restricting public use of Town park
land within Vasona Park upon expiration of the current lease is not a viable option for two reasons:
The town doesn't have to restrict public use but the power to be able to do so is what is important. Owning this
parcel gives Los Gatos the power to have a say about what happens in Vasona Park; don't under estimate this.
The Town does not have any effective access to its land except through and with the permission of the County,
The Town has an eighteen foot wide adjacency with Oak Meadow Park by the Train Station.
1. The public impact from and opposition to any closure or degradation of the Town's park land within Vasona
would likely be severe.
The county is playing hardball and you are running scared, afraid to stand up for what is really ours.
2. Town to Use Its Land Within Vasona Park for Active Recreational Uses
The Town's 13 acres within the middle of Vasona Park are unsuitable for active recreational use as they
primarily consist of a creek, oak knoll, trails, road, parking, a picnic area and a portion of a tot lot. The
existing small grassy area is insufficient for any sports field use. Significant development to increase the
grassy area for fields would require eliminating existing services (e.g., Billy Jones Railroad and tot lot)
and significant environmental impacts to the existing creek and trees.
The public could play volleyball or have a dog park on the existing parcel, but a better solution would be a land
swap. The county gets the 13-acre parcel with their improvements already on it, and Los Gatos gets a sports
facility along Blossom Hill Rd. If a trade was made, would the public mind driving in from Blossom Hill Rd. an
extra 100 yards, past grassy playing fields looking pretty much the way it does now, to get to the new Vasona
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Page 3 of 4
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Possible Los Gatos Sports Complex adjacent to Oak Meadow Park on land acquired in possible trade with the County.
Further, maintenance of the Town's 93 acres would require additional staff and resources that are not
currently budgeted or a proportional reduction in the maintenance of other parks and medians throughout
the Town.
A new sports complex will require additional town resources, but the community need is clear.
Last, it is unlikely that the County would provide the access needed to use or maintain any active
recreational facilities in the middle of Vasona Park.
We will have access to our parcel through Oak Meadow Park. The county, on the other hand, will have no way to
reach most of Vasona Park from Blossom Hill Rd., since our parcel interrupts the only existing road. Also, it would
be detrimental to the County's lucrative picnic space rental business not to allow us access to do the proper
maintenance.
3. Delay
The County's offer to provide $B million to the Town while maintaining the Town's land as park and open
space has been withdrawn once before and has only been offered again for a limited time. Delaying
acceptance of the County's offer could lead to a significant reduction in the valuation of the Town's land
due to either declining real estate market conditions or future appraisals based on existing, rather than
residential, zoning. Any delay also delays the availability of the funds needed to create a community and
- file//C:\Docuw_c-nts and Settingglpgarcia.LOSGATOSCA\Local Settings\Temp\XPgipwiseA... 6/2/2008
Page 4 of 4
youth sports facility.
Although it is unusual for the county to open its purse strings and offer such a large sum of cash, the $6 million
doesn't begin to compare. to the replacement cost value of the land to the town. The value of this land will not
depreciate significantly in the next two years. And, if the County doesn't have the money then, the may be more
willing to discuss a trade. It will take more than two years to raise the additional $20+ million dollars the Town will
need to buy land in Los Gatos for a Sports Complex.
The conclusion of the recent staff report is a reiteration of the recommendations. The six points listed offer nothing
new except to sell the land at Vasona:
Master plans for existing baseball and tennis facilities. This doesn't create any new usage.
2. Allow soccer practice at Oak Meadow. Has already been done.
3. Sell the Vasona parcel for $6 million
4. Pass an ordinance that reserves the money from the county to only be spent on sports. It's the land, not
the money, which needs to be reserved.
5. Speed up General Plan and public discussion of sports needs. We've been asking for more sports
facilities for nearly 10 years, since the last General Plan was written. It is not the lack of money or
planning, but the lack of land that is the problem.
6. Create a committee to find land for sports facilities. Where? Shouldn't we have at least a couple of
good answers to this question before we even consider selling the land?
Thank you for your consideration,
Peggy and Alastair Dallas
17681 Foster Road
Los Gatos
file:// Mocinnents and SettingApgarcia.LOSGATOSCAILocal Setdngs\Temp\ Pgrpwisel... 6/2/2008
(61212008) Town Clerk (External) -Public Comment On Agenda Item #20 - Town of Las Gatos, Monday June
D ECEE Wl
From: Khoa Vo <kvoman@yahoo.com> JUN 0 2 2008
To: <clerk@losgatosca.gov> GJ` o qq po
Date: 6/2/2008 12:01 PM s GATOS
Subject: Public Comment On Agenda Item #20 - Town of Los Gatos, Monday, J ne 2 t~TKD Ut ~
Agenda EPARTMENT
Dear Honorable Mayor Spector and Council Members,
As Vice Chair of the County of Santa Clara, Parks and Recreation Commission, I'm writing in support of
the Town's staff recommendations on Item #20 of the June 2, 2008 Agenda, authorizing the Town
Manager to negotiate and execute a trade and sale of 13 acres of unusable Town land within Vasona
Lake County Park for $6 million to the County of Santa Clara.
I believe this is a win-win proposition for both the Town of Los Gatos and for the County of Santa Clara.
The Town will realize $6 million of unanticipated revenue from the sale of this unusable 13-acres land
within Vasona Lake County Park and will be in a better position financially to design and construct a future
community and youth sports facility. There will be no impacts to the Town's services by approving the sale
and trade of this land. The County will be able to secure the land for open space and parks usage in
perpetuity.
The new offer ($6 million) is considerably more generous than the original ($2 million) and I urge the
Council to consider and accept the offer. It is a generous offer because the new offer is based on the
residential appraisal method instead of an open space usage appraisal method. The residential appraisal
method is extremely advantageous to the Town's position because the 13-acres of land within Vasona
Lake County Park could never be used for residential purposes but can only be used for open space and
parks due to access, wildlife presence, existing land use, and topography.
Therefore, I urge the Mayor and Council to review and support staffs recommendations and move to
approve the recommendations in order to move forward with the process.
Sincerely,
Khoa Vo, Vice Chair
Parks and Recreation Commission
Santa Clara County
ATTACHMENT 2
Page 1 of 1
Town Clerk (External) - Vasona desk item
22 x z
From:
Christine Currie <christine@onourboat.com>
To:
<clerk@losgatosca.gov>
Date:
6/212008 2:22 PM
Subject:
Vasona desk item
June 2, 2008
Dear Mayor Spector, and Council Members,
_1
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UN 0 2 'LUUU
TOWN Oi=~.C)~ GAIGS~
CLERK DEPALTMENT
I can not attend this evening, due to the lateness of this agenda item this evening, and young
children who go to bed early. I am sorry to deliver this to you as a desk item.
This seems like a big wish list: volleyball courts, dog park, and soccer fields.
Yes, we do indeed need them. As a local mom with two elementary age children, I agree the
community needs a sports complex. Is this the correct approach?
This wish list is something only the Planning Commission and a thorough General Plan analysis
can flesh out BEFORE anything is to be decided and before a transaction can occur. Very little
discussion concerning our own Planning Commission and the role they play before anything gets
decided upon. A quick consult of the General Plan may be in order for both sides of the equation.
Perhaps a large bank account earmarked specifically for sports and drawing close to $300,000 a
year in interest IS a step in the right direction. My family is in favor of the Vasona passive use park
rules remaining in effect for the entire community to enjoy.
The proposed $6 M would be a nice springboard for a sports complex when the right location is
found.
Wei have seen or heard very little discussion concerning the riparian area aside the tributary that
runs next to the proposed sports complex area.
The constraints of the site, like a large area that would need to be leveled; and many mature trees
to be removed have never been addressed to shoe-horn a dream into a small space.
Again, The General Plan is very clear on this issue. The California Department of Fish and Game
would ultimately have a say as well.
Thank-you
Christine & Rob Currie
117 Broadway
ATTACHMENT 3
filealC-Documents and SettingslsangulolLocal SettingslTemplXPgrpwise148440211TOW... 612/2008
yaw of MEETING DATE: 06-04-07
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ITEM NO: fC~
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°s cnt°~ COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: MAY 30, 2007
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: A. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN ATTORNEY TO DEVELOP AN AGREEMENT FOR
COUNCIL'S APPROVAL FOR THE SALE OF A 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED
PARCEL IN VASONA PARK TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR $6
MILLION AND THE TRANSFER OF A.66 ACRE COUNTY-OWNED PARCEL
ADJACENT TO OAK MEADOW PARK, WITH BOTH PROPERTIES
REMAINING IN PARK USE IN PERPETUITY AND WITH A GUARANTEE
THAT THE COUNTY WILL ALLOW BILLY JONES RAILROAD TO
CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON COUNTY PROPERTY.
OR B. PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE DIRECTION TO TOWN STAFF REGARDING THE
DISPOSITION OF THE TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the `l own Attorney to develop an agreement for Council's approval for the sale of the
13-acre Town-owned parcel in Vasona Park to the County of Santa Clara for $6 million and the
transfer to the Town of a .66 acre County-owned parcel adjacent to Oak Meadow Park, with both
properties remaining in park use in perpetuity and with a guarantee that the County will allow
Billy Jones Railroad to continue to operate on County property.
OR
2. Provide alternative direction to Town staff regarding the Town-owned property.
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Los Gatos owns a 13-acre parcel of land located in and surrounded by Vasona Park, which
is owned by the County of Santa Clara. Attachment 1 shows the location of the Town-owned parcel.
The property was developed by the County as parkland in 1960 and has been operated and maintained
PREPARED BY: PAMELA S. JACOBS
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator Finance Community Development
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2007
by the County as parkland pursuant to a lease with the Town since that time. The lease automatically
terminates on January 1, 2010. The County has made an offer to purchase the property from the Town
for continued park use. The offer is for $6 million cash and the transfer of a .66 acre property on which
one of the Billy Jones railroad buildings sits, On April 2, 2007, the Town Council directed staff to
proceed with a public process regarding the proposed sale. That public process included reviews by the
Town Parks and Planning Commissions. The purpose of this staff report and the discussion at the June
4, 2007 Town Council meeting is to recap the history of the process leading to the proposed sale, present
the results of the commissions' reviews, discuss the comments made by the public, make a
recommendation regarding the disposition of the property, and provide alternatives Council may
consider.
DISCUSSION:
History of Process Leading to Proposed Sale
In 2001, the Town began discussions with the County regarding siting a skatepark in Vasona Park. At
this time, the Town and County became aware that the Town owned the 13-acre property which is the
property under consideration for sale to the County. The request to site a skatepark in Vasona was
ultimately denied by the County due to its policy to maintain passive uses in Vasona Park. In early
2003, the County approached the Town regarding the acquisition of the Town's 13-acre property. The
County and Town initially explored a land exchange of the Town-owned property for other property in
Vasona Park. The Town Council and the County Board of Supervisors gave the direction to pursue a
land exchange in their respective closed sessions under the exception in the Brown Act regarding real
property negotiations. These negotiations took place over two years.
During this period, two property appraisals were commissioned as a way to establish a fair market value
for negotiation purposes. It is important to note that the appraisals are theoretical in nature given the
fact that the property is municipal-owned parkland which is highly unlikely to ever be developed. The
appraisals were conducted by Hulberg and Associates, an appraisal firm with significant experience
conducting appraisals for municipal governments in the region. Although the site's current General Plan
and zoning designations of Open Space substantially limit development of the site, the Town and
County jointly obtained an appraisal that was based on an assumption of eight dwelling units per usable
acre (66 total units). The appraisal estimated the value of the Town's property at $8,250,000.
In 2004, the County obtained an independent appraisal of the Town's parcel that was based on the site's
existing Resource Conservation (RC) zoning designation. The appraisal established a value of
$2,982,000.
In 2005, after further negotiations, the County informed the Town they were no longer interested in a
land exchange and proposed to purchase the Town parcel. The Council authorized staff in closed
session to undertake a third appraisal of the Town's property jointly with the County,
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2007
The third appraisal was based on an assumption (for appraisal purposes only) that the highest and best
use of the property would be residential development at a density of 5.9 dwelling units per developable
acre, which is comparable to residential development in the surrounding area. The Town's 13-acre
parcel contains a net 8.2 "developable" acres. The appraisal indicates a value of $7,025,000 for the
Town's property. This valuation is advantageous for the Town because it assumes a more valuable use
than would be the case if the valuation was based on the parcel's current zoning designation of Open
Space.
The County has made a final, all-cash offer of $6,000,000 plus a 0.66 acre parcel of County-owned land
for the Town's parcel. The offer reflects two adjustments to the appraised value. First, the County
deducted $500,000 to reflect the value of acquiring easements and constructing road improvements to
access the Town parcel (although the County has stated they would not grant these easements).- Second,
the County accounted for a 0.66 acre land exchange in which the County-owned land on which one of
the Billy Jones Railroad buildings is located would be transferred to the Town by deducting $525,000.
The County also agreed to maintain the property in park use in perpetuity. The offer is reasonable and
has been accepted in principle by the Town Council in closed session.
Commissions' Reviews
On April 2°d, the Town Council directed staff to initiate the public review process regarding this
proposed transaction. It asked that the Planning Commission and Parks Commission review the
proposed sale. The Parks Commission reviewed the proposed sale at its May 1, 2007 meeting, acting in
an advisory capacity to the Town Council in matters pertaining to public parks. The meeting was
announced in the Los Gatos Weekly Times and on the Town's web site. Three members of the public
commented at the meeting, all of whom expressed concern about the sale. The concerns expressed were
that the property should be used for other purposes, such as soccer fields, that the Town should pursue a
property trade to develop soccer fields, that the potential sale was happening too quickly, and that the
property was worth more than the appraised value. These issues are discussed below.
Parks Commissioners expressed a desire to have more public input before making a recommendation to
the Council. The Commission suggested that the Town be pro-active in informing the community about
the proposed sale. Staff advised the Commission that the public could provide input at upcoming
Planning Commission and Town Council meetings, and that newspaper coverage and the Town's
website would alert the public to these opportunities.
The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed sale at its May 9, 2007 meeting. The purpose of
Planning Commission review was to determine if the proposed sale is consistent with the General Plan.
The meeting was announced in the Los Gatos Weekly Times and on the Town's web site. Five
members of the public commented at the meeting, all of whom expressed concerns similar to those
expressed at the Parks Commission about the sale. The Planning Commission determined that the sale
of the property is consistent with the General Plan. Planning commissioners also expressed a desire that
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2007
the Town obtain agreement from the County that the Billy Jones Railroad could continue to operate on
County land (railroad tracks would still remain on County land if this transaction occurs).
Lisa Killough, Director of Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department was present at both
meetings. Ms. Killough stated the County's interest in purchasing the property, the commitment to
keeping the property in park use in perpetuity, the County's policy position of maintaining passive uses
in the park and the lack of County support for active uses, such as organized sports, on the Town's
property or other property in the park, the County's continued support for the Billy Jones Railroad, and
the uncertainty of funds being available to purchase the property in the future.
Public Comment Regarding the Sale of the Property
The Town has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document (Attachment 2), which has been
posted on the Town's website and included in the staff reports to the Parks and Planning Commissions.
These FAQ's have been updated during the public input process to clarify information requested from
the public. Following are the key comments made by members of the public and the considerations
regarding the concerns.
Comment - The property should be used for youth sports fields.
Response - Two issues limit the potential youth of the Town's property for youth sports fields: the
County's policy of limiting the use of County parks to passive recreation and the development
constraints on the Town's property.
Count Policy
The County has a longstanding policy of limiting the use of County parks to passive recreation (c.g.,
picnicking, hiking, casual play, etc.). There have been several proposals for more active uses in Vasona
Park over the years (including the Town's request to site a skatepark in Vasona), and the Board of
Supervisors and County Parks and Recreation Commission have consistently rejected these proposals.
Development Constraints
The second issue is the development constraints on the Town's property. According to the appraisal, the
property includes 8.2 net "developable" acres. This is not a flat parcel, It includes about 25 mature trees
that would need to be removed and a knoll, which would require grading involving approximately
10,000 cubic yards of soil.
The access to the property is limited. It is surrounded by County property with the exception of an 18
ft.-wide tip on the southern end that touches Oak Meadow Park. Accessing the property via a road
would require a road through Oak Meadow Park, an easement from the County, and a bridge across the
creek that would need permission from several federal, state and regional agencies. It is highly unlikely
that permission would be granted.
Development of youth sports fields on the property would be subject to environmental review, which
would consider the factors noted above regarding the trees and grading, as well as other impacts such as
PAGE S
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2047
the parking demand generated by this use. The parking would need to be accommodated, most likely in
Oak Meadow Park, since it is unlikely a vehicle bridge into Town property would be approved.
Additional parking in Oak Meadow Park would remove parkland and/or amenities within the park.
Comnient - The Town should trade the property for County property within Vasona Park with greater
potential for the development of youth sports fields.
Response - The Town has pursued the idea of trading Town property for other property in Vasona to
develop youth sports fields. Throughout the discussions of a potential trade, the County has reiterated
that it does not support active uses in Vasona Park.
Comment The Town's 13-acre property is worth more than the appraised value.
Response - Property value is based on a number of factors beyond the size of the property. It must be
kept in mind that Vasona Park (including the Town parcel) has a General Plan land use designation of
Open Space. The Open Space designation allows for public parks and open space preserves. With the
Open Space designation, land has substantially less value than residential designated property.
During discussions between the Town and County, each party obtained an appraisal of the land, as
described earlier in this report. Despite the Open Space land use designation, both parties agreed to a
third appraisal of the Town parcel that was based on the extraordinary assumption that a medium density
residential project containing 49 units could be built on the site. "Extraordinary Assumption" and
"Hypothetical Condition" are concepts stipulated in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice in which the appraisal of a property is based upon information that is contrary to fact and
fundamentally impacts the appraisal - in this case, the allowed land use of the property.
The appraisal is based on the 8.2 "developable" acres of the property. The remaining 4.8 acres is within
the riparian corridor of Los Gatos Creek or is part of the reservoir. To derive the land value of the
property, the appraiser obtained data on comparable sales of raw land in the Los Gatos area and adjusted
the value based several factors, including the following:
• Site aesthetics
• Development costs due to factors such as topography, access, and utilities.
• Location
• Density of project
• Size of project
• Time of sale
• Length of time to obtain development approvals.
Hulberg & Associates, who prepared the appraisal, is a leading and well-respective appraisal firm.
Staff believes the appraisal is accurate based on the assumptions upon which the appraisal is
based, Further, the appraised value is higher than if the appraisal were based on the site's current land
use designation of Open Space.
PAGE 6
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2007
Comment - The Town should hold on to the property until the lease expires in 2010 and pursue a sale,
trade, or development of youth sports fields then.
Response - The above considerations regarding development constraints would still apply to
development on the property in 2010. Regarding a trade for other property in Vasona for development
of youth sports field, there is no basis to assume that the County's longstanding policy on passive uses in
Vasona would change in 2010. As to a sale to the County in 2010, the value of the property maybe
comparable to today's value because the number of potential buyers of this public land is limited. In
addition, the County has limited park acquisition funds, and uses them when opportunities arise. In
three years, the County may have other acquisitions it wishes to make with these funds.
Summary of Key Considerations Leading to Staff Recommendation
Although the public has expressed concerns about these issues, it appears that the following
considerations are key to making a decision about the property's disposition:
■ The Town's property is part of Vasona Park and, thus, has been used by the public as passive
parkland for the past nearly 50 years;
■ The County has expressed a firm commitment to its policy to maintain passive uses in the park;
■ Access to the property and development constraints significantly limit the development potential
of the Town's property for other purposes;
■ Valuation of the property is advantageous to the Town given the property's lack of development
potential;
■ The County may not have the funds available in the future to purchase the property.
■ The Town and the County have approached these negotiations in good faith over a period of four
years.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the key considerations listed above, staff recommends:
A. The Town Council authorize the Town Attorney to develop an agreement for Council's approval
with the following terms:
1. Sale of the 13-acre Town-owned parcel in Vasona Park to the County of Santa Clara for $6
million;
2. Transfer to the Town from the County of a .66 acre County-owned parcel adjacent to Oak
Meadow Park;
3. Both properties shall remain in park use in perpetuity;
4. Guarantee that the County will allow Billy Jones Railroad to continue to operate on County
property.
B. Funds from the disposition should be set aside in a reserve and not deposited in the General Fund.
The use of the funds could be determined by the Council at a future time as Town priorities are
identified.
PAGE 7
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2007
Alternatives and Further Direction
Following are the alternatives Council may consider regarding the disposition of the property:
A. The Town's property can remain in use as parkland under the current lease with the County
effective until 2010, and at that time pursue one of the following options:
1. Attempt to negotiate a sale to the County, subject to the availability of County funds
2. Attempt to negotiate use or trade of the property for other activities, such as sports fields,
subject to County policies regarding use and willingness to negotiate,
B. The Town could continue to negotiate with the County if any new ideas regarding the
negotiation and/or terms are identified by Council.
If Council has an interest in addressing the question of the need for youth sports fields, the following
direction may be considered:
I . Direct staff to undertake the development of a Recreation Element as part of the General
Plan Update. The Recreation Element would assess the need for parks, youth sports
fields, and other recreational facilities,
2. Direct staff to accelerate the needs assessment for parks and recreational facilities prior to
the General Plan Update
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the sale of the property is completed, the Town would receive $6 million, which would become
discretionary funds of the Town. Their use could be determined at a future time under the standard
budgetary policy authority of the Town Council. The funds would be put into a separate reserve account
and not deposited in the General Fund. Unless required by law, it is not the Town's practice to allocate
interest to funds held in special reserves, thus interest income is a key revenue source to the General
Fund. Council may make a policy change regarding the allocation of interest to reserve accounts on a
case-by-case basis or change the current policy in its entirety.
Attachments:
1. Aerial Map of Town Property in Vasona Park
2. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Proposed Sale
3. E-Mails from the Public Regarding the Proposed Sale
PAGE 8
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
MAY 31, 2007
Distribution:
Peter Kutras, Jr,, Santa Clara County Executive
Lisa Killough, Director, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department
Peter Panacy, Executive Director, Billy Jones Railroad
TOWN OF LOS GATOS FAQ
PROPOSED SALE OF TOWN-OWN ED PROPERTY
IN VA50NA PARK
The Town owns a 13-acre parcel in Vasona Park, which has been leased to the
County at no cost since 1960. The parcel is located south of the lake, and
includes approximately 5 acres of creek and riparian corridor. As the attached
aerial photo shows, the parcel is surrounded by County-owned property. Since
1960, the County has operated and maintained the property as parkland. The
lease with the County expires in 2010 and the County has requested to purchase
the property from the Town for use as parkland in perpetuity. The purpose of this
fact sheet is to answer questions the public may have about this issue.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why does the County want to purchase the property?
A: Park visitors have been enjoying the property as parkland since 1960, and
are not aware that this part of the county park is owned by Los Gatos, The
County believes that it is in its best interest to centralize control of this property
with the remainder of Vasona Park.
Q: How much has the County offered for the property and how was that price
determined?
A: The County has offered $6 million plus a parcel of land adjacent to Oak
Meadow Park, which is valued at $525,000. The offer is based on an appraisal
conducted by Hulberg and Associates, a firm with significant experience
conducting appraisals for cities and counties. The appraised value of the
property is $7,025,000. The appraisal is based on an assumption of residential
development at a density of 5.9 dwelling units per acre for the 8.2 net
developable acres (the remainder of the 13 acres includes the creek and
associated riparian corridor). This density is similar to development in the vicinity
of the park. The County deducted $500,000 from the appraisal because
easements through county land would need to be acquired to access the
property, assuming the property was developed. It is highly unlikely that the
property would be developed for any other use except a park, given its location in
the middle of Vasona Park and its development constraints discussed below. An
appraisal based on park use would yield a much lower value; thus, the
methodology used for this appraisal is very favorable for the Town.
Q: What are the development constraints associated with the property?
A: There are several significant obstacles to development of this property for
anything other than parkland:
The property is surrounded by County property, with the exception of an
18 ft.-wide tip on the southern end that touches Oak Meadow Park. A
road requires more than 18 feet in width, so a developer would need to
ATTACHMENT 2
obtain easements from the County to widen the area to accommodate a
road. It is unlikely that the County would grant this easement, owing to its
policy for passive park uses discussed in the following question.
■ Access to this area would also require a road through Oak Meadow Park
which would take away recreation and open space from the Town park.
• A bridge across the creek would be required. Several agencies (the Army
Corps of Engineers, California Fish and Game, and Regional Water
Quality Control Board) would need to grant permission to build the bridge.
It has been the Town's experience that these agencies do not grant
permission for creek crossings where there are alternative routes that do
not affect waterways (such as through County property).
• The property includes roughly 25 mature trees that would need to be
removed.
• To create a flat area, a knoll would have to be graded, involving
approximately 10,000 cubic yards of soil.
Q: Could the Town develop the property for youth sports fields?
A: For several years, the Town has discussed the possibility of using County
land for sports fields (soccer, baseball, etc.) and/or for the site of a skatepark.
The County has a long and consistent policy of limiting the use of County parks
to passive recreation (picnicking, hiking, casual play, etc.). There have been
several proposals for more active uses in Vasona Park over the years, and the
Board of Supervisors and County Parks and Recreation Commission have
consistently rejected these proposals. The Town has been advised that the
County would not grant access for youth sports fields given its interest in
maintaining passive uses. In addition, the development constraints discussed
above would limit the development potential for youth sports fields. A soccer
field, for example, would not fit physically on the property without removing 25
mature trees and grading 10,000 cubic yards in order to flatten the knoll. Another
concern would be parking since the size of the property would not accommodate
spectators, parking or other activity outside the playing area. Parking capacity in
Oak Meadow Park is insufficient to accommodate additional uses such as
soccer.
Q: Could the Town trade the property in Vasona for County property elsewhere
within Vasona Park to develop youth sports fields?
A: The Town has pursued the concept of trading Town property for other
property in Vasona to develop youth sports fields. Throughout the discussions of
a potential trade, the County confirmed that it does not support active uses in
Vasona and would not be interested in trading property for that purpose.
Q: If the property is sold to the County, how will the funds received by the Town
be used?
A: The question of use of the funds is not being considered at this time. The
funds would become discretionary funds of the Town, and their use would be
determined at a future time under the standard budgetary policy authority of the
Updated 5/11/07
Town Council. The funds will be put into a separate account entitled Reserve for
Proceeds from Vasona Property Sale and not deposited in the Generaf Fund.
Q: Why doesn't the Town hold on to the property until the lease expires in 2010
and sell it to the County then. Wouldn't the value be greater?
A: There is no basis to assume that the value of the land will increase over the
next three years because the number of potential buyers of this land is limited.
Since it is surrounded by parkland with no access except through easements
from the County and/or the Town, it is unlikely that a residential or commercial
developer would be interested in buying it. Since the Town is also constrained
on how it could develop the land because of the creek, riparian corridor, mature
trees, knoll, and access issues, the Town will not have any more "leverage" in the
sales transaction than it does now. The County has limited park acquisition
funds, and uses them when opportunities arise. At present, the County is willing
to allocate some of the dedicated park funds to the purchase of the land within
Vasona Park. In three years, the County may have expended these funds on
other acquisitions. If the County does not purchase the land by the time the
lease is ended, the Town will have several options: 1) Develop a new lease
agreement with the County; 2) Take over the cost of maintenance of the land; 3)
Consider alternate uses of the land which, as described above, are limited
because of physical constraints and access issues.
Q: How can the public comment on the proposed sale?
A. Public meetings have been held with the Planning Commission and the Parks
Commission. The Town Council is tentatively scheduled to discuss this matter
at its June 4th Town Council meeting, to which the public is invited. Please refer
to the Town's website www.los.gatosca..gov for the time and agenda for this
meeting.
Q: Who can I contact for more information about this issue?
A: You can contact Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager, at 354.8832, or at
manager@iosgatosca.gov.
Updated 5111107
Page 1 of 1
Patsy Garcia Fwd: Vasona Land Sale
_ tr- fi~_..,-_ ...::-,.i rma~ce~mk-rid'-". k,. s~-_--s"-+>~~°FC-~nP --.•_F,..,,..~c.....~.:s~«: i "-._n,: ~.ss+F`c"a.c
From
Manager
To:
Patsy Garcia
Date:
5/29/2007 5:19 PM
Subject:
Fwd: Vasona Land Sale
Attachments:
Vasona Land Sale
Dear Town Manager,
The sale of the Vasona land to the county for $6M as initially proposed is the best deal for all parties and I urge
the town to complete the transaction now. With this proposal I believe the most people of all ages, interests, and
backgrounds will continue to have the enjoyment and best use of this property.
Please pass my feelings on to the town council for their consideration.
Regards,
Bruce Moyer
821 Cherrystone Dr
Los Gatos, CA 95032
408 356-7077
ATTACHMENT 3
file://C:1Documents and Settingslpgarcia.LOSGATOSCA\Loca1 SettingsVl emplXPgrpwise... 5/30/2007
(513012007) Patsy Garcia - Town property sales decision in Vasona Park Page 1
From: Muffet Brown <muffet@earthlink.net>
To: <manager@]osgatosca. gov>
Date: 513012007 1:40 PM
Subject: Town property safes decision in Vasona Park
Dear Ms. Jacobs,
If the future value (net of administrative costs) of the revenue from
continuing to lease the LG creek property to the County
equals
the present value of the property sale,
€ am in favor of continuing to lease the property to the County, if only
for the following reason:
I want to be sure the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad continues to operate
on that property. Given what I read about the county's philosophy for
uses for Vasona park, I wonder if they are as committed to the railroad
as the Town is or ought to be. I grew up in the 1960's riding Billy
Jones Wildcat Railroad, and it is important to my extended family.
No need for a response.
Sincerely,
Muffet Brown
16345 Los Gatos Blvd. 1#32
Los gatos, CA 95032
- ----r . » i age i L3i x
Lynda Seastrom - Please Stop The Vasona Land Sale
From: "Jay Ross" <JRoss@hopkinscarlcy.com>
To: <bspector@losgatosca.gov>
Date: 5/31/2007 9:52 AM
Subject: Please Stop The Vasona Land Sale
Dear Vice Mayor Spector,
understand there is a Town Council hearing on June 4, 2007, to consider the sale of roughly 13 acres of land in
Vasona to the County. I also understand that land is leased to the County for only 2.5 more years. Los Gatos is
in great need of fields for sports, like soccer and baseball. This land seems to provide an excellent opportunity for
Los Gatos to address that need because of the leverage Los Gatos has when the lease runs out. I understand
the County is willing to pay $6 million - that seems like a small amount of money. It is a very small fraction of the
County's budget. I cannot imagine that amount of money would have a material impact on the Town's budget.
Has the Town identified land it can buy to address the need for fields? Is $6 million the purchase price? If not,
what's the rush? Has the Town considered a land swap with the County or offered to trade the land for cash and
the right to develop and manage County land for sports fields? If not, what's the rush? Since Los Gatos has time
on its side and has control over the use of the land after the lease ends, why not use those things to its
advantage. After all, once this land is sold, the opportunity it brings is lost forever.
I hope you will vote against the sale of the land and instead support taking more time to study the Town's options.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jay Ross
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file: //C:IDocuments and Settingsllseastrom\Local SettingslTemplXPGrpWise14651-F50DT... 5/31/2007
~pW H OF
os.. ~ A,~o
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JUNE 1, 2007
MEETING DATE: 6/4/2007
ITEM NO 16
ADDENDUM
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND T
A. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN ATTORNEY TO DEVELOP AN AGREEMENT
FOR COUNCIL'S APPROVAL FOR THE SALE OF A 13-ACRE TOWN-
OWNED PARCEL IN VASONA PARK TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA
CLARA FOR $6 MILLION AND THE TRANSFER OF A.66 ACRE COUN`rY-
OWNED PARCEL ADJACENT TO OAK MEADOW PARK, WITH BOTH
PROPERTIES REMAINING IN USE IN PERPETUITY AND WITH A
GUARANTEE THAT THE COUNTY WILL ALLOW BILLY JONES
RAILROAD TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON COUNTY PROPERTY
--OR-
B. PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE DIRECTION TO TOWN STAFF REGARDING
THE TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY
Attached are additional e-mails that were recently submitted relating to this item.
Attachments:
6/1/07 e-mail from Anthony Abene, MD, MBA
6/l/07 e-mail from Sprintz Family
6/l/07 e-mail from William and Ann
Distribution:
Peter Kutras, Jr,, Santa Clara County ExecrltiVC
Lisa Killough, Director Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation Department
Peter Panacy, Executive Director - Billy Jones
PREPARED BY: PAMELA S. JACOBS
Assistant Town Manager
PSJ:pg
N:169GR`,Adm'uiWorkPiles12007 Council Reporlsl6-4-07 Vasona Properiy.dcc
Reviewed by; Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator Finance Community Development
Page I of 1
Patsy Garcia - Fwd:
Frottt: Debra Figone
To: Pamela Jacobs; Patsy Garcia
Date: 6/1/2007 9:02 AM
Subject: Fwd:
Mr. Mayor and the ]'own Council,
The town of Los Gatos has a wonderful opportunity in regards to the land we own in Vasona Park. I have read
many articles regarding the issues involved. It appears to me that the council and planning commission may be
1110Ving too fast WIthOUt lilpUt fi'Olll the townspeople and without considering all of the options, 1Vhlle I
understand that this particular 13 acres may not be suitable for recreational use, we have a great need for this type
of land in Los Gatos for things like soccer and baseball. It also seems like $6 million is too low, We have an
advantage over the County. We oven the land. They want the land. I urge the council to study this matter further.
Let's not miss the opportunity.
Respectfully yours,
Anthony Abene, MD, IVIBA
Moody friends. Dralrta queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story.
Pla3e Siins Stories, at Yahoo! Games.
file:llC:lDocurnents and Settir)gslpgarcia.LQSGATGSCA\Loca1 SettingslTenlp\XPgrpwi: ATTACHMENT t
"Mike Sprintz" <miketsg@covad.net> 05131/07 9:29 PM
Mr. Mayor and the Town Council,
It has been brought to our attention that the town of Los Gatos plans to
approve a plan that gives land in Vasona Park to the County. I believe that
there needs to be more discussion and input from the community on this
issue. The people have begged and pleaded over the years for more land to
build sports fields for our kids. Here is our chance! Please don't push
this thru so quickly for what seems to be a very small amount of money.
Sincerely,
Mike, Millie, Gregory, and Zachary Sprintz
ATTACHMENT 2
Page 1 of l
From: <williamyu3@comcast.net>
To: <council@Iosgatosea.gov >
Date: 6/1/2007 2:43 PM
Subject: Vasona Park
Council Members:
We've been residing in Los Gatos for the past 15 years and been frequent visitos of Vasona Park. The
Town should take the money and leave the park the way it is!!! This unplanned money can perhaps be
utilitzed to develope active recreational facility in Oak Meadow Park.
William and Ann
ATTACHMENT 3
file://C:IDocuments and Settingslpgarcia.LOSGATOSCA\Local SettingslTemplXPgrpwis
ZpW H 0
/
~~S.CA~ps
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 6/4/2007
ITEM NO: 16
DESK ITEM
DATE: JUNE 4, 2007
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: DIRECTION REGARDING THE SALE OF I3-ACRE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL IN
VASONA PARK TO COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR CONTINUED USE AS
PARKLAND
A. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN ATTORNEY TO DEVELOP AN AGREEMENT FOR
COUNCIL'S APPROVAL FOR THE SALE OF A 13-ACRE TOWN-OWNED
PARCEL IN VASONA PARK TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR $6
MILLION AND THE TRANSFER OF A .66 ACRE COUNTY-OWNED PARCEL
ADJACENT 'I'O OAK MEADOW PARK, WITH BOTH PROPERTIES
REMAINING IN PARK USE IN PERPETUITY AND WITH A GUARANTEE
THAT THE COUNTY WILL ALLOW BILLY JONES RAILROAD TO
CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON COUNTY PROPERTY
--OR
B. PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE DIRECTION TO TOWN STAFF REGARDING THE
TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY
Attached are several e-mails that were received after preparation of final report on this matter.
Attachments:
6/6/07 e-mail from Frank and Terri Bergandi
612/07 e-mail from Phil Knopf
6/4/07 e-mail fronn Joe Carroll
PREPARED BY:
G~-~-~ f t/ L f t
P MELA S. JACOBS
Assistant Town Manager
PSJ:pg
id.li4lGR\AdminWori:Fi1esU007 Council Acprtsl6-14-07 Vasona Desk hem doc
_1 /
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager
Clerk Administrator Finance
Town Attorney
amunity Development
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank & Terri Bergandi [mailto.,fbergandi@comcast. net]
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2007 10;36 AM
To. 'Mike Wasserman'; 'Diane McNutt'
Subject: Oak Meadow land
Mike and Diane, I will not be able to attend Monday's meeting since we have a game that
evening. I anticipate that the Baseball and Soccer Leagues will be well represented but I wanted
just to voice my personal position relative to this issue. What is at the heart of the matter is how
woefully inadequate Los Gatos is in providing field space for its youth sports. I have the
opportunity to travel around to a number of cities and towns in our area to play baseball and
frankly the Los Gatos facilities do not stack up well in comparison. We have a quality and quantity
issue. I also recognize that youth sports is not the only issue you two have in front of you, but I
also know that it is an important issue on your agendas.
I personally do not view the 13 acres in Oak Meadow as a viable venue for a sports core. I do see
it as currency that can be used to acquire suitable land. Whether this currency monetizes through
a sale, or through a swap, there must be intentionally toward youth sports fields to this
transaction. We have a number of real estate professionals in youth sports in Los Gatos. It might
be very beneficial to form a group and to involve them in the process. The concerns most share is
that the cash proceeds from this transaction would not be enough to buy a suitable field in the
future or that a cash transaction could be diverted into another use.
Frank
Page 1 of 2
Patsy Garcia -1Fwd: Vasona property sale
From:
<MWasserman@aol.com>
To:
<dfigone a losgatosca.gov>,
Date:
6/2/2007 10:44 AM
Subject:
Fwd: Vasona property sale
Attachments:
Vasona property sale
<PGARCIA@losgatosca.gov>
Hi Mike,
I was hoping to be home for the Monday Council meeting to speak. It now appears that we will not be
leaving Phoenix until Monday, so I will miss the meeting.
Please share this with other Council members and if you want to read it at the meeting please do so.
Although I an-i currently a board member of the Los Gatos Little League, and have been for the past 26
years, I am sending this as a life long resident of Los Gatos/Monte Screno and parent of 2 that
participated in youth sports(son now 37 and daughter 30); Little League, Pony and Colt baseball, girls
softball, girls and boys soccer and Pop Warner football, Since I was involved with my children. the
soccer program has grown greatly as has Little League and now another sport that is getting very
popular is lacrosse. When my children were involved there was a shortage of practice fields, we were
doing soccer practice at Howes school, Union school district, and some little league practices were at
Carlton school.
When I heard of the 13+ acre parcel of land the Town owns in the center of Vasona park I was hopeful
that it would be able to be used for some practice fields. Currently LOLL only has 2 fields available for
practice, they are the 2 at Van Meter. All the rest of the fields we use are game fields, Baggerly;
Blossom Hill, JCC and Balzer. Before the season starts these fields are available for practice, it is
difficult to get a practice in before a game once the season starts. Play on Sunday is contrary to Little
League National policy, but in order to get all of our games in, it is necessary for us to play games on
Sunday.
So you can see the great need for practice fields as far as baseball is concerned.
Athletes can not develop their skills without an area to practice.
After walking the subject area this is not the area that would be desirable for practice fields. The ideal
scenario would be to swap this land for an area that would be more desirable for practices. If a land
swap can not be accomplished, then a sale of the land would make sense only if the proceeds from the
sale will be put in an special account for the purpose of acquiring property for practice fields. This
account should be interest bearing with the interest accruing to help the account appreciate in value
My other area of concern is: according to the general plan this area was designated for open space and
recreation. I think recreation needs to be defined. I have always felt that recreation was activity but the
county's interpretation is passive. I wonder, when the general plan was drafted, what was the intent of
recreation? Active or passive?
Perhaps in the terms of the sale some active recreation could be allowed for the youth sports programs
duzmg the week when there is very little use of Vasona Park.
Thank you for your time and concern in this community issue,
Phil Knopf
file://C:1Documen1s and Settingslpgarcia.LOSGATOSCA1Local SettingslTcmplXPgrpwiset... 6/4/2007
Page 2 of 2
17400 E. Vineland Ave
Monte Sereno
354-1046
Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool.
file:HC:1Documents and Settingslpgareia.LOSGATOSCA\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwisel... 614!2007
(61412007) Patsy Garcia - June 4 Council Meeting
From: "Joe Carroll" <joe@quintex,com>
To: manager@losgatosca.gov>
Date: 614/2007 11:53 AM
Subject: June 4 Council Meeting
Attachments: June 4 meeting.doc
Pease copy all Council members on this and make it available for the
public. I believe I was told to make this a "Desk Item".
Also, please confirm your receipt by call me at cell: 408-314-7262.
Thank you.
Joe Carroll
Page 1
Cash or Land? From Joe Carroll
What is the Town's main objective in dealing with the 13.5 acres in Vasona? Do we
need cash or do we need land? The County wants our land, so rve need to provide
them options that allow for this transfer of ownership, but also address the Town's
long-term needs. To date, 1 don't believe this process has been managed effectively,
1 propose four options be presented to the County, and let THEM come back to US
with a workable solution.
A. Call the County and thank them for their $6M offer. Like any prudent
Seller would do, we will accept their offer orally (not in writing!) and go
out in good faith, and find out exactly what we can purchase with their
$6M. The minute we have a satisfactory property tied up, we will call
them back and get the deal done.
B. Reassure the County that we would like to see them own this 13.5 acres,
and that we are willing to trade our 13.5 acres for the roughly 9 acres that
sit at the back left (underutilized) corner of Vasona. This trade of land
will keep Vasona at 90% its current size, and 100% its current "passive
use" feel. The Town's entrance and exit to our "new" 9 acres only be
from University Avenue. With this deal, the County has added 4.5 acres
to their Park's System, and we have created an ideal sports facility for the
Torun of LG. NOTE: If either the County of Town vvishes to "try out"
this new arrangement first, we will agree to a 10 year lease to each party
on these lands, with the mutual option to sell in year 7. Or we can
transfer title right now,
C. The Town will go out and locate four (4) privately owned parcels in Los
Gatos, each of which the Town is willing to trade for our 13.5 acres. (Oka
Road, Lark Ave etc.). We will submit these sites to the County. The
County may now negotiate to trade any property in their thousands of
acres of surplus land, with that property owner, for the Los Gatos
property. In essence, we have now "partnered up" with the County, and
we have the County's assets now working for our Town, in locating a
suitable site. Also, the County's ability to grant land entitlement rights
will be key to this transaction.
D. The Town will design two (2) multi use sporting fields, a beautiful town
garden, a skate park and any other logical uses that will support the
needs/desires of our town folk.
Any of the above work for Los Gatos, and we are willing to be more than
reasonable. We need the County to get to )York on this if they wish to own and
control 100% of all activities that occurs in Vasona Park.
Town of Los Gatos May 16. 2008
D
E D E S I G N , C O M M U N I T Y & E N V I R O N M E N T
Fin c.?l
PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS INVENTORY.
SUbm IEEe` Ec
To,,-.,r- of Los Gatos Mav 16. 2008
1]
E
D E S I G N , C O M M U N I T Y 8 E N V I R O N M E N T
1625 SHATTUCK AVENUE, SUITE 300 TEL: 510 E148 3815
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 94709 FAX: 510 848 4315
~ 4 1
INTRODUCTION
As one of the oldest cornrrrunities in Srrnta Clara County, Los Gatos has maintained its unique,
village-like character- since it was first settled in 1840. Located at the edge of the Santa Clara
Valley, Los Gatos is framed by the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by a
di_~.,erse and scenic landscape. The area's natural beauty remains an important amenity for the
Los Gatos community, and recreational opportunities are essential to the quality oflife for many
Los Gatos residents.
The Town of Los Gatos has a distinct and attractive built environment,
with a vibrant downtown and historic core. The Ton-n is dedicated to pre-
serving and enhancing its open space areas. establishing a system of regional
and neighborhood parks, developing trails for pedestrians and bicN,clists, as
well as providing playing fields and other facilities for community use. All
of these amenities are in high demand, well.-used and loved by Los Gatos'
active population.
This report provides a comprehensive inventory of the parks, open space
areas, trails and other public, as well as private, recreation facilities that
are currently available within the community. A
summary of each facility's size, amenities, pro-
gramming, user groups, use restrictions and other
key information, as well as the facility's type of
ownership is provided. M.
The report begins with a summan• of athletic
playing fields, as this is a top priority for the Los
Gatos community. Following the fields suninia-
ry, facilities are organized by public, quasi-public
and private ownership. Additionally, following a
summary of all the facilities within Los Gatos, a
list of local recreation leagues and organizations is
provided. For in expanded list of sources and ad-
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
T,3,-,n cf Las Ga as
01 INTRODUCTION
ditional descriptions and definitions for the terms used in the report, please
refer to the end notes at the conclusion of the inventory.
Facilities owned by a public agency or entity, such as the Town or County,
have the greatest amount of public access and are listed first in the report.
Quasi-public facilities, such as community- or faith-based organizations,
generally have more limited public access and may require a reduced fee or
affiliation with the facility's ownership organization for use. Private facili-
ties, such as athletic clubs, have the most restrictive use policies and require
membership fees or formalized affiliation with the organization for use of
their facilities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
To:w) of Los Gatos
i
SPORTS FIELDS t.'
This section describes th_ ose f mlities within Los Gatos which currently contain athletic plai,irag
fields that can accornodate organized recreational activities.
A number of recreation facilities in Los Gatos include sports fields that can
accommodate organized athletic activities. These facilities include practice
fields, game fields and other field areas that are appropriate for a range of
age groups, skill levels and activities. Due to the variety of sizes, shapes and
locational requirements for such fields, those included in this report were
largely identified by the field's owner and by the types of activities cur-
rently permitted on-site.
In cases when individual facilities or ownership entities contacted were
tutable to provide the specific dimensions or total size of field areas, esti-
mates were made based on descriptions from the ownership entity or user
groups, aerial photographs and other available information. Therefore, for
the purposes of this report there is
not a specific dimension or size re- s'
quirement for the classification of
a "field." In general, baseball fields -
are defined as having bases and a
batting area with a back-stop that
are appropriate for group base-
ball games or practices. Multi-use
fields are defined as relatively flat,
grassy areas that are suitable for
scheduled league or team activities
such as soccer. There are several
Parks. Open Space and Trail Inventory
T, -.n of Lo_ Gatos
SPORTS FIELDS
facilities that contain both baseball and multi-use field areas. At some of
these facilities the fields are either in close proximity to each other or have
portions that overlap, and the risk of injury is too high for both activities to
occur simultaneously. Therefore, most facilities host baseball from Febru-
ary to July and soccer from August to January.
Additionally, several facilities, with or without formal field areas, include
space that is appropriate for "pick-up" games and other informal recreation
activities. These facilities allow for unscheduled athletic activities and con-
tain relatively level, unobstructed areas that can accommodate a small-group
activity. Pick-up games include a aide range of activities, such as Frisbee,
soccer, football and tag, and may have as few as two participants. Gener-
ally, however, pick-up games are defined as any unscheduled athletic event
that does not have a formal referee and is not associated with an organized
team or league. Again, due to the range of activities that constitute pick-up
games, as well as other factors such as the age of participants, there is not
a specific size requirement for such areas. Therefore, park amenities and
site characteristics were used to determine whether or not a facilluy could
accommodate pick-up .activities. Facilities that contain areas that meet this
definition are noted below.
Table 1 provides an overvien• of the facilities within Los Gatos that contain
fields that are considered suitable for organized athletic league practices or
games and currently allow such activities to be scheduled on-site. and Figure
l identifies their location. The currently-scheduled activities for each field
are provided in the description of each facility in the following chapters.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town cr Los Gatos
SPORTS FIELDS
Ta..3L = I PARK FACILITIES WITH SPORTS FIELDS
Tape of Field _ _
League and Other Organized Use-
Total
]umber
Size of
of
Multi-Use
Size
Baseball
Field Area
LGS
Other
Name of Facility
_Acres)
Fields
(Square Feet)_
Rec
LGUSL
LGLL LGSGSA LGPL
League
Balzer Field
0.9
l
0
X
Blossom Hill Park
9.2
l
11,0000
X
X
Live Oak Manor Park
4.1
0
17,000
X
Oak Meadow Park
12
0
33,600
X
Blossom Hill
Elementary School
3
_ _
3
36,000
X
X X
Daves Avenue
Elementary School
2
36,000
X
X
X
Louise Van Meter
Elementary School
23
2
21,600
X
X
X X
Raymond J. Fisher
Middle School
9
1
59,400
X
X
X
Los Gatos High School
25
2
213,CCC
X
X
Alta Vista
Elementary_ School
8.2
4
0
X
Mulberry School
6-8
2
0
Stratford School
7.3
2
49,500
X
X
Jewish Community- Center
of Silicon Vallev CC NA
2
30,600
X
X
X
Venture Christian Church
to Los Gatos Christian
NA
1
45,O v
School'
Hillbrook School'
14
1
NA
Totals 104 23 516,700" 7 6 6 1 2 4
Facilities not assailable to public.
Dues not include square feet of baseball fields.
LGS Rec: Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation
LGUSL: Los Gatos United Soccer League
LGLL: Los Gatos Little League
LGSGSA: Los Gatus-Saratoga Girls Softball A_,%o iation
LGPL: Los Gatos Ponv League
Porks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
To.vn of Los Gatos
01
FIGURE I
SPORTS FIELDS
a
f ~
Q
,N
`l
h
ti
2c
I
I
Facilities with Sports Fields:
4. Los Gatos High School
10. Louise Van Meter Elementary School
11. Mulberry School
12. Oak Meadow Park
13. Raymond J. Fisher Middle School
14. Stratford School
15. Venture Christian Church &
Los Gatos Christian School
1. Alta Vista Elementary School
2. Balzer Field
3. Blossom Hill Elementary School
4. Blossom Hill Park
5. Daves Avenue Elementary School
6. Hill brook School
7. Jewish Community Center & Yavneh
School
B. Live Oak Manor Park
,.Y" Lake 8.
c'e r pSAtmadenA6ad
L`pSGat
~l~
}
L' a
a
o SlossomHil oad
U~
t~ V3 0 3. 4.
w
2.
V
11.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES 0Tliis section describes the facilities that are owned and operated by the Town of Los Gatos, Santa
Clara Count}' Parks and Recreation Department, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
and local public school districts. Tbese facilities are azwllable for use 1iy the public with rninirnal
rest)-i ct i o ns.
A. Town of Los Gatos
The Town of Los Gatos Parks and Public Works Department (PPW) is re-
sponsible for managing and maintaining the Town's public parks, Bachman
Park, Balzer Field, Belgaros Park, Blossom Hill Park, Fairview Plaza, Howes
Play Lot, La Rinconada Park, Live Oak Manor Park, Novitiate Park, Oak
Hill Play Lot, Oak Meadow Park, the Pageant Grounds, Town Plaza and
Worcester Park. The Town of Los Gatos also owns and maintains two open
space areas that offer multi-use trails: the Heinz Open Space and the Santa
Rosa Open Space. Additionally, the Town owns a portion of the Los Gatos
Creek Trail. In total, PPW maintains approximately 345 acres of park and
open space, as well as nearly 13 miles of multi-use trails.' Figure Z identifies
the locations of all the Town's park and open space facilities.
In 196-5, the Town of Los Gatos issued General
Obligation Bonds for the acquisition and con-
struction of park and recreational facilities. Re-
quiring at least too-thirds of the votes to pass,
Los Gatos voters approved the bonds and their
repayment through ad valorem takes on property
within the Town. This has resulted in high-qual-
ity recreation amenities throughout the commu-
nitv.
The Town's park and open space facilities sup-
port a variety of uses and offer a range of ameni-
ties, including picnic areas, multi-use trails, tennis
Parks, Open Space and Trail inventory
Town of Los Gatos
o
PUBLIC FACILITIES
FIGURE 2
s.
f
I
'Yaseaa Lake, ; Not 10.
C-a. - p5maden
LOSGaIas
r -
.a
Jc p., b
f:f
> 1 o BIa55om H,lr oad 2
r 9. 37 0 4.
I 20
~5.
r16,~
r14. Tr7.
IV
Town Parks and Open Space:
1. Bachman Park
2. Balzar Baseball field
3. Be[ Gatos Park
4. Blossom Hill Park
5. Fairview Plaza
6. Heinz Open Space
7. Howes Playlot
B. La Rinconada Park
9. Los Gatos Creek Trail
10. Live Oak Manor Park
11. Novitiate Park
12. Oak Hill Playlot
13. Oak Meadow Park
14. Pageant Grounds
15. Santa Rosa Open Space'
16. Town Plaza Park
17. Worcester Park
I
7.
%:j
LI
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
and basketball courts, playground areas and benches. All of the Town's
facilities are open to the public and accessible from 8:y0 a.m. until one half
hour after sunset, with the exception of the Town's trails which are open
from 7;00 a.m. to sunset.
Organized recreation and athletic team activities occurring within the Town's
parks require a Use Fee and a Turf Impact Fee. For non-profit organizations,
the Use Fee is currently 575 for the first use and $15 for each additional use.
For private parties and for-profit groups, the Use Fee is currently 5100 for
the first use and 530 for each additional use. The Turf Impact Fee is deter-
mined after the scheduled use occurs and is based on the cost of repairing or
replacing the park's turf. Reservations for organized activities within Town
parks are scheduled through the Parks and Public Works Department's Parks
and Forestry program.
Several Town parks include open lawn areas; however, PPW does not clas-
sify all of these areas as sports fields. Instead, many are considered open areas
appropriate for passive or informal recreational activities as they may have
topographic, landscape or other site features that make them inappropriate
for organized team use. Currently-, four of the Town's parks contain sports
fields that allow reservations and are appropriate for organized athletic events
or league activities. These facilities are: Balzer Baseball Field, Blossom Hill
Park, Live Oak Manor Park and Oak Meadow Park.
The location, size, use and characteristics of each Town-owned park facility
are provided below in alphabetical order, followed by a description of the
Town's two open space areas.
1. Bachman Park
401 Bachman Avenue
Los Gatos, CA
Total Size of Facility: 3.6 acres,
including 100,000 square feet of lawn area and
0.1 miles of trail
♦ Facility Amenities: I basketball court
Playground area
Benches
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
021 PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use. Bachman Park is available
for passive recreation and informal activities, such as pick-up
games. The Town of Los Gatos does not permit athletic leagues
or teams to reserve the parks' facilities for organized athletic
events or group recreational activities, such as practices, games
or tournaments.
♦ Additional Information: Established in 1973, Bachman Park's
construction was funded through a federal Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) grant, private donations and the General
Obligation Bonds described in the introduction. In January of
2008, the small neighborhood park had an irrigation system in-
stalled by PPW.
's
AM
~ •r1y~
2. Balzer Field
4 Miles Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility: 0.86 acres,
including 37,500 square feet of lawn area
♦ Facility Amenities: 1 baseball field
Restroom facility
Snack shack
Storage facility
Parking lot
• Organized Activities and Other Use: Balzer Field is used by
the Los Gatos Little League for team practices and for all AAA-'
league games. Due to the Los Gatos Little League's practice and
game schedule, the facilities at Balzer Field have very limited
availability for informal, unscheduled activities.
♦ Current Facility Use and Capacity: Balzer Field is reserved by
the Los Gatos Little League for practices and games Monday
through Friday 4:00 p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk,
and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to dusk. The only available field times at
this facility for other uses are weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIhS 1.
♦ Use Restrictions: The Los Gatos Little League pays the Town
an annual fee of $1,000 for use of the field and an additional S3C0
per month to cover the cost of utilities. The Little League is also
responsible for the field's upkeep and maintenance.
♦ Additional Information: Balzer Field originally opened in 19.58 and
was significantly renovated in 2007.' Recent renovations include
new sod in the infields; reworked pitchers' mounds in both the
field and bull-pen areas; leveled and reseeded outfields; and com-
pletely renovated irrigation and drainage systems.' Additionally,
the facilities n ere substantially updated to include ADA-accessible
restrooms, a snack shack and new roof.
3. Belgatos Park
308 Belgatos Lane
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 17 acres,
including 48,CC0 square feet of lawn area
and 1.65 miles of trail
♦ Facility- Amenities: Playground area
Picnic tables
Trails
Restroom facilities
Parking lot
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Belgatos Park is available for
passive recreation and informal activities, such as small group pick-
up games. The park's lawn area consists of two separate areas that
are each approximately 24,C,'0 square feet in size. The Town of
Los Gatos does not permit athletic leagues or teams to resen-e the
parks' facilities for organized athletic events or group recreational
activities, such as practices, games or tournaments.
♦ Additional Information: Built in 1978, Belgatos Park provides
nearly 10 acres of natural woodland in addition to the lawn, picnic
and playground areas. The park also serves as an access point to
the Heinz and Santa Rosa Open Space Areas and Trails for hiking,
jogging and horseback riding.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
021 PUBLIC FACILITIES
4. Blossom Hill Park
16300 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA 91032
• Total Size of Facility: 9.2 acres,
including 260,000 square feet of lawn
area and 0.25 miles of paved trail areas
• Facility Amenities: 1 baseball field (Baggerly Field)
11,000 square-foot multi-use field area'
6 lighted tennis courts
Playground area
Picnic tables
Barbeque pits
Restroom facilities
Use Restrictions: For groups of 25 people or more, the Town
of Los Gatos requires a Park Use Permit and Fee, as well as a
refundable clean-up deposit. Los Gatos Little League pays the
Town an annual fee of $1,000 for use of Baggerly Field and an
additional $300 per month to cover the cost of utilities. The
Little League is also responsible for the field's upkeep and main-
tenance. The Los Gatos Tennis Academy and LGS Recreation
both pay an annual S75 Park Use Fee, as well as a fee of 515.C0
per day for use of Blossom Hill Park's tennis courts. LGS Rec-
reation also uses the lawn area for soccer practices and clinics
throughout the year, paying the annual $75 Park Use Fee and
S15.C0 per day fee.
Organized Activities and Other Use: Blossom Hill Park's Bag-
gerly Field is used by Los Gatos Little League for all league
games, except AAA, and for all Majors' level practices. The
multi-use field is used by LGS Recreation for youth soccer and
T-ball lessons. The multi-use field is relatively small and un-
even, and therefore it is typically used only for groups of soccer
players under the age of six years old. Although the field area is
not officially reserved by any other groups for organized activi-
ties, the Los Gatos United Soccer League has reported using it
unofficially for soccer practice in the fall due to a shortage of
availability at other facilities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ The Los Gatos Tennis Academy otters recreational and com-
petitive programs for all ages and levels of play at the park's
tennis courts. Additionally, LGS Recreation utilizes the tennis
courts for clinics and lessons approximately 20 days a year.'
♦ With approximately 260,000 square feet of lawn, Blossom Hill
Park can easily accommodate a variety of pick-up games and
informal athletic activities.
♦ Current Facility Use and Capacity: Blossom Hill Park's Bag-
gerly Field is used by the Los Gatos Little League Monday
through Friday 4:00 p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk,
and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to dusk for practices and games during
the spring season. Baggerly Field is also used by Los Gatos
Little League for games and practices during the fall season.
Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, LGS Recreation holds
recreational soccer and T-ball lessons for young children per
their spring schedule, which varies between 9:45 a-m. and 6:C0
p.m. The multi-use field area is only available between 8:00
a.m. and 9:45 a.m. and at scattered times between 9:4i a.m. and
6:00 p.m. on week days. There are no available field times on
the baseball field.
• Additional Information: Blossom Hill Park was originally es-
tablished in 1976 and remains an active neighborhood park.
Recent renovations of Baggerly Field include new sod in the
infields; reworked pitchers' mounds in both the field and bull-
pen areas; leveled and reseeded outfields; and completely reno-
vated irrigation and drainage systems-'
♦ The tennis courts were constructed be-
tween 1975 and 1976 as a part of the
Blossom Hill Park project, which was
funded through the 1965 General Ob-
ligation Bonds and State bond funds.
Maintenance and upkeep of the ten-
nis courts costs approximately 53,260
a year."
Parks, Open Space and Trait Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
02 PUBLIC FACILITIES
5. Fairview Plaza
End of Fairview Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
• Total Size of Facility: 0.3 acres
• Facility Amenities: Benches
• Organized Activities and Other Use: Fairview Plaza is available for
passive recreation only. Due to its small size, landscaping features
and location in a street median, Fairview Plaza is not appropriate for
any type of active use, such as pick-up or organized games.
♦ Additional Information: Fairview Plaza was built in 1885 as a land-
scaped island at the termination of Pennsylvania Avenue.'° Today,
Fairview Plaza remains in the center median at the end of what is
now the Fairview Avenue cul-de-sac and serves as a small pocket park
within the Historic District. The park was resident-maintained until
1963, at which point its maintenance was taken over by PPW." In
2003, Fairview Plaza was renovated by the Town through State bond
funds. The primarily-landscaped area includes benches and a short
path for park users.
6. Howes Play Lot
Between Howes Drive and Thomas Drive, near Union Avenue
Los Gatos, CA
• Total Size of Facility: 0.5 acres,
including 7,000 square feet of lawn area
• Facility Amenities: Playground area
• Organized Activities and Other Use: Howes Play Lot is available
for passive recreation and informal athletic activities, such as pick-up
games. Use of the lawn area for informal activities is most appropri-
ate for young children due to the area's small size and proximity to
the play structure. The Town of Los Gatos does not permit athletic
leagues or teams to reserve the parks' facilities for organized athletic
events or group recreational activities, such as practices, games or
tournaments.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ Additional Information: Built in 1968, Howes Play Lot contains a
small lawn and playground area that is appropriate for young children
and families. Located off of Anne Way, the facilities can only be ac-
cessed from the park entrances located on Hones Drive and Thomas
Drive.
7. La Rinconada Park
151 Granada Way
Los Gatos, CA 9032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 14 acres,
including 79,000 square feet of lawn area
and 0.6 miles of trail
♦ Facility Amenities: I tennis court
Playground area
Picnic tables
Barbeque pits
Trail
• Organized Activities and Other Use: La Rinconada Park is available
for passive recreation and informal activities, such as pick-up games.
The Town of Los Gatos does not permit athletic leagues or teams to
reserve the parks' facilities for organized athletic events or group rec-
reational activities, such as practices, games or tournaments.
♦ Additional Information: La Rinconada Park was originally established
in 1974 and was renovated in 1980. Bordered by natural vegetation
and a ntulti-use trail, Los Gatos Creek passes through the center of La
Rinconada Park.
8. Live Oak Manor Park
250 Carlton Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 4.C9 acres,
including 98,C00 square feet of lawn area
♦ Facility Amenities: 17, CCO square-foot multi-use field areas=
1 basketball/volleyball court
Playground area
Picnic tables
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
02 ~ PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ Use Restrictions: For groups of 25 people or more, the Town of Los
Gatos requires a Park Use Permit and Fee, as well as a refundable
clean-up deposit.
Organized Activities and Other Use. With nearly 100,000 square feet
of lawn, Live Oak Manor Park's facilities can easily accommodate
a variety pick-up games and informal athletic activities. The park's
multi-use field area is used by LGS Recreation for youth soccer clin-
ics and lessons. The field area is extremely narrow and not consid-
ered appropriate for soccer games or for organized athletic events for
older age groups. Although the field area at Live Oak Manor Park is
not officially reserved by any other groups for organized activities,
the Los Gatos United Soccer League has reported using it unofficially
for soccer practice during the fall due to a shortage of availability at
other facilities.
Current Facility Use and Capacity: In the spring, LGS Recreation
holds recreational activities for young children on Wednesdays from
2:20 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. and 4:05 to 4:50 p.m., and on Fridays from 9:00
a.m_ to 11:15 a.m. and from 2:20 p.m, to 4:50 p.m. on the multi-use
field. Additionally, LGS Recreation hosts youth basketball lessons
and summer basketball camps on the basketball court. There are no
other leagues or groups with time reserved on this field.
♦ Additional Information: Live Oak Manor Park was built in 1967 and
is located in a quiet residential neighborhood.
9. Los Gatos Creek Trail
The Los Gatos segment of the trail can be accessed through Oak Mead-
ow Park, Vasona Lake County Park, at Miles Avenue near Balzer Field,
or off of East Main Street at College Avenue.
♦ Total Size of Facility: 4 miles of trail
(maintained by PP\Xj
♦ Facility Amenities: Trail
Restroom facilities"
Parking lot
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The multi-use trail is utilizes{
by pedestrians, hikers, bicyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES ) )
♦ Additional information: The Los Gatos Creek Trail is the only rec-
ognized Class I Bikeway in Los Gatos, providing a dedicated multi-use
trail for nonmotorized travel and recreation. It isapproximarely ten
miles long and extends from Lexington Reservoir south of Los Gatos,
north to San Jose. PPW maintains four miles of the trail as it passes
through Los Gatos and several park facilities. Plans are currently un-
der-way to extend the Los Gatos Creek Trail into downtown San Jose
and connect to the 2.6-mile trail within the Guadalupe River Park.
10. Novitiate Park
260 Jones Road
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility: 8 acres,
including 0.33 miles of unpaved trail
♦ Facility Amenities: Trail
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Novitiate Park is available for
passive recreation and informal activities only. Hiking, walking, bik-
ing and horseback riding are permitted. Due to the park's topography
and natural features, it is not appropriate for pick-up athletic events,
and organized group recreational activities are not permitted by the
Town of Los Gatos.
♦ Additional Information: Novitiate Park is considered Open Space by
PPW and does not include any lawn areas. Overlooking Los Gatos
Creek, the park is primarily meadowland and natural habitat. The
Novitiate Trail connects the park to St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Pre-
serve.
11. Oak Hill Play Lot
118 Oak Park Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 0.6 acres,
including 7,800 square feet of lawn area
♦ Facility- Amenities: Playground area
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The Oak Hill Play Lot is avail-
able for passive recreation and informal athletic activities, such as
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
02 PUBLIC FACILITIES
pick-up games. Use of the lawn area for informal activities is most
appropriate for young children due to the area's small size and prox-
imity to the play- structure. The Town of Los Gatos does not permit
athletic leagues or teams to reserve the parks' facilities for organized
events or group recreational activities, such as practices, games or
tournaments.
♦ Additional Information: The Oak Hill Play Lot is a small neighbor-
hood park containing a playground and small lawn area and is appro-
priate for young children and families.
12. Oak Meadow Park
233 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility: 12 acres,
including 200,000 square feet of lawn area
♦ Facility Amenities: 34,000 square-foot multi-use field area"
9 picnic areas
Barbeque pits
3 family gathering areas
Bocce ball courts
Volleyball courts
Playground area
Bandstand
Train ride (Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad)
Carousel (Bill Mason Carousel)
Restroom facilities
Snack stand
Parking lot
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: With approximately 2CC,000
square feet of lawn, Oak Meadow Park can easily accommodate a
variety pick-up games and informal athletic activities. During the
fall season, the Los Gatos United Soccer League has special permis-
sion from the Los Gatos Town Council to use the western edge of
the lawn area as a field for soccer practice one evening a week- Due
to several injuries that were sustained last season as a result of uneven
terrain on this field, Los Gatos United Soccer League closed it to
league use and made it a Play at your own risk" field. PPW has since
renovated the field area, leveling the ground and filling in divots.
Parks, Opera Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
• Current Facility- Use and Capacity: Currently, there are no
leagues or other groups with time reserved on the multi-use field
during the spring season.
Additional Information: Purchased in 1957 and opened in 1958,
Oak Meadow Park remains one of the most popular parks in
Los Gatos. The park is centrally located and provides access to
both the Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona Lake Countv Park.
The park's field was renovated in January 2CC8.'
13. Pageant Grounds
l IC East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility: 0.35 acres,
including 2,000 square feet of lawn area
♦ Facility Amenities: Picnic tables
Organized Activities and Other Use: The Pageant Grounds are
available for passive recreation and informal activities. Due to
its small size and terraced site, the Pageant Grounds are not ap-
propriate for any type of active use, pick-up or organized. Orga-
nized athletic events or recreational activities are not permitted
at this facility.
♦ Use Restrictions: A Use Perinit and Use Fee are required to
hold an event of any size at the Pageant Grounds. For Los Gatos
residents, there is a 5203 Use Fee per event plus a 51CC refund-
able cleanup deposit. For non-residents, there is a SK .4 Use Fee
per event plus a S1C0 refundable cleanup deposit.
♦ Additional Information: Located behind the Los Gatos Civic
Center, the Pageant Grounds were once home to the annual
town pageant and extended all the way to East Main Street. The
1960s expansion of the Town's Civic Center facilities, however,
eliminated most of the original pageant site. Partially restored
in 1985, today the park is terraced and contains two small lawn
areas.
Parks, Open Space and Trait Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
021 PUBLIC FACILITIES
14. Town Plaza Park
West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility: 0.6 acres,
including 19,200 square feet of lawn
area
♦ Facility Amenities: Benches
Water feature
Drinking fountain
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: A year-round farmers'
market is held in the Town Plaza every Sunday from 7:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. The Los Gatos summer jazz concert series "Jazz on
the Plaza" is also held in the Town Plaza on Wednesdays in July
and August from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Due to its landscaping
features and location adjacent to a busy intersection, the Town
Plaza is not appropriate for any type of active use, pick-up or
organized. Organized athletic events or group recreational ac-
tivities are not permitted at this facility.
♦ Use Restrictions: A Use Permit and Fee is required to host an
event of any size in the Town Plaza. A Use Permit that allows
the Plaza to remain open to the public during the reservation
requires a $75 Use Fee, plus 515 for each additional reservation,
for nonprofit organizations. For-profit organizations pay a $100
Use Fee, plus $30 for each additional reservation date.
♦ A Use Permit that allows the plaza to close to general public
during the reserved use requires a fee of $55 per hour for both
nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
♦ Additional Information: Located in downtown Los Gatos, Town
Plaza Park is frequently utilized for community gatherings and
events. The park consists primarily of a flat, open lawn with
trees and benches throughout. Completely renovated in 2002,
the original fountain was replaced with an interactive, computer-
controlled water feature.
I Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
I 1
PUBLIC FACILITIES 'lJ-
15. Worcester Park
Worcester Loop
Los Gatos, CA
♦ Total Size of Facilir-: 11.? acres,
including OS miles of trail
♦ Facility Amenities: 3 trails
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: \Vorcester Park is available
for passive recreation and informal activities only. Due to the
park's topography and natural features, the facility is not appro-
priate for pick-up athletic events, and organized group recreation-
al activities are not permitted by the Town of Los Gatos.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Tov,n of Los Gato,
02 I PUBLIC FACILITIES
The Town of Los Gatos owns and maintains the following two open space
areas, both of which offer public trails.
16. Heinz Open Space Area and Trail
308 Belgatos Lane
Los Gatos, CA 95032
• Total Size of Facility: 88 acres,
including 2 miles of trail
♦ Facility Amenities: Network of trails
• Organized Activities and Other Use: The Heinz Open Space Area is
available for passive recreation and informal activities only. Hiking,
walking, biking, rollerblading and horseback riding are permitted.
Due to the park's topography and natural features, the facility is trot
appropriate for pick-up athletic events, and organized group recre-
ational activities are not permitted by the Town of Los Gatos.
• Additional Information: The Heinz Open Space Area connects to
the Santa Rosa Open Space Area, and all trails are accessible from
Belgatos Park.
17. Santa Rosa Open Space Trail
308 Belgatos Lane
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 150 acres,
including 1.3 miles of trail
• Facility Amenities: Network of trails
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The Santa Rosa Open Space
Area is available for passive recreation and informal activities only.
Hiking, walking, biking, rollerblading and horseback riding are per-
mitted. Due to the park's topography and natural features, the facili-
ty is not appropriate for pick-up athletic events, and organized group
recreational activities are not permitted by the Town of Los Gatos.
♦ Additional Information: The Santa Rosa Open Space Area connects
to the Heinz Open Space Area and all trails are accessible from Bel-
gatos Park.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Tov~n of Los Gatos
r~
PUBLIC FACILITIES
B. Midpeninnsula Regional Open: Space District
The blicipeninsula Regional Open Space District (the District) owns and
operates two open space areas in Los Gatos: the St. Joseph's Hill Open
Space and the Kennedy-Limekiln Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space. The
District maintains these areas as part of a larger greenbelt of permanently
preserved open space and seeks to protect them while providing for low-
intensity recreation and environmental education. The open space areas
are Open to the public from dawn until a half an hour after sunset. Group
activities that have been advertised and expect to attract 20 or more people,
or activities for which participants must pay a fee to attend, are required
to have a use permit from the District.
1. St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve
17770 Alma Bridge Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033
♦ Total Size of Facility: 270 acres,
including 42 miles of trail
♦ Facility Amenities: Trails
Restroom facilities
Parking lot
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: St. Joseph's Hill is available
for passive recreation and informal activities on]%,. Organized ath-
letic events and group recreational activities are not permitted at this
facility. 1-liking, biking and horseback riding are permitted uses.
♦ Use Restrictions: Due to the Preserve's hilly terrain, steep trails and
rolling grassland, the facility is not ADA accessible. Dogs are per-
mitted on all of the Preserve's trails; dogs must be kept on-leash at
all times.
• Additional Information: Acquired in 1952, the purchase of St. Jo-
sepb's Hill Open Space Presen•e was a joint project between the
District and the Town of Los Gatos. Several regional trails provide
access to St. Joseph's Hill, including the Los Gatos Creek Trail and
Jones Trail, which connects the preserve to Novitiate Park.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
02 PUBLIC FACILITIES
2. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
17770 Alma Bridge Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033
Total Size of Facility: 657 acres,
including 3.5 miles of trail
(within Los Gatos)
♦ Facility Amenities: Trails
Restroom facilities
Parking lot
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Sierra Azul is available for pas-
sive recreation and informal activities only. Organized athletic events
and group recreational activities are not permitted at this facility.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding are permitted uses.
♦ Use Restrictions: Due to the preserve's rugged and steep terrain, the
facility is not ADA accessible. The Kennedy-Limekiln Area is the
only portion of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve in which dogs
are permitted; dogs must be kept on-leash at all times.
♦ Additional Information: The Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve is
the District's largest preserve and contains an extremely varied land-
scape, including grasslands, wooded areas, riparian corridors and steep
chaparral. There are three sub-areas within Sierra Azul, and the Ken-
nedy-Limekiln Area is the most popular. Only a portion of the Ken-
nedy-Limekiln Area, approximately 657 acres out of 2,920 acres, is
contained within the Town of Los Gatos.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
C. Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department
The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department maintains a
45,000-acre system of parks, trails, lakes, streams and open space across the
county. Within Los Gatos, the County owns and operates two facilities: Va-
sona Lake Park and Los Gatos Creek Trail Parkway. These facilities are the
most popular of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas. The
County's open space areas are open to the public from 5:00 a.m. until a half
an hour after sunset and all facilities are on a first-come first -erce basis, with
the exception of eight resen-able picnic areas in the Vasona Lake Park. The
majority of the facilities along the Los Gatos Creek Trail and parks within
the creek trail corridor meet the standards established by the Americans'with
Disabilities Act.
Table 2 provides a summary of all the open space areas and trail systems with-
in Los Gatos, including those owned by the Town of Los Gatos, Midpen-
insula Regional Open Space District and the Santa Clara County Parks and
Recreation Department. A map of all the open space and park trails, as well as
existing and proposed bikeways, is provided in Chapter 5 of this report-
Vasona Lake County Park
333 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 150 acres,
including 45 acres of lawn area
and 3.6 miles of trail
♦ Facility Amenities: I volleyball court
Nature trail
Picnic shelters
Boathouse
Pier
Pl,tyground area
Youth Science Institute
Restroom facilities
Telephones
Information areas
Parking lot
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Torn of Los Gaw5
02 1 PUBLIC FACILITIES
TAKE 2 OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS WITHIN THE TOWN OF Los GATOS
Los Gatos
Creek Trail
Allowed
Facility Open Space Trail Mileage Trail Connections Trail Users
Novitiate Park 8 acres 0.33 miles Trails connect to St. Pedestrians, bicyclvsts,
Joseph's Hill Open rollerbladers and
Space and Los Gatos equestrians
Creek Trail
4.5 ntiles
Belgatos Park 17 acres
Heinz 88 acres
Open Space
4.5 miles
Trails connect to St.
Pedestrians and bicyclists
within Los Gatos
Joseph's Hill Open
(10 miles total)
Space, Vasona Lake
County Park and
Novitiate Park
1.65 miles
Trails connect to Heinz
Pedestrians, bicyclysts
and Santa Rosa Open
and equestrians
Space Area Trails
Trails connect to Trails
Pedestrians, bicycles,
2 miles
connect with Santa Rosa
rollerbladers and
Open Space and
equestrians
Belgatos Park
Santa Rosa
150 acres 1.3 miles
Open Space
Vasona Lake
15C acres 3.6 miles
County Park
St. Joseph's Hill
273 acres 4.2 miles
Open Space
Sierra Azul 657 acres
Open Space within Los
Gatos
3.5 miles Trails connect to Hikers, bicyclists,
within Los Gatos Kenney-Limekiln Area equestrians and on-leash
dogs
Note; Trails less than 1 mile are not included, except for Novitiate Park, which connects to a larger trail network.
Trails connect to Heinz
Pedestrians, bicycles,
Open Space Area and
rollerbliders arid
Belgatos Park
equestrians
Trails connect to Los
Hikers, runners, bicyclists,
Gatos Creek Trail
rollerbladers and skaters
Trails connect to Los
Hikers, bicyclists,
Gatos Creek Trail,
equestrians and on-leash
Jones Trail, Novitiate
dogs
Park
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
_
PUBLIC FACILITIES y
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Vasona Lake l'ark's
trails are available for hikers, runners, bicyclists and skaters;
and with 45 acres of lanvn, the park's facilities can easily ac-
commodate a variety pick-up games and informal athletic ac-
tivities. Additionally, Vasona Lake is open for non-power
boating year round, and fishing is permitted. Scheduled ath-
letic events and organized team recreational activities are not
permitted at this facility.
♦ Additional Information: Paddle boats and rowboats are avail-
able to rent front early spring through early fall, and public
boat storage is available for a fee. The Youth Science Insti-
tute offers educational programs and outings for community
members.
2. Los Gatos Creek County Park
1250 Dell Avenue
Campbell, CA 9KO08
♦ Total Size of Facility: S.1 acres,
including 0.5 miles of trail
(within Los Gatos)
♦ Facility Amenities: Trail
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The Los Gatos Creek
Trail and adjacent parkway are available for passive recre-
ation and informal activities. Scheduled athletic events and
organized team recreational activities are not permitted at this
facility.
♦ Additional Information: The Los Gatos Creek is one of the
few urban streams in Santa Clara Valley which remains rela-
tively intact, and it provides an important link in the Santa
Clara County trail system. The Los Gatos Creek corridor
provides an essential riparian habitat for wildlife and a key
function in the area's hydrologic system.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
0? PUBLIC FACILITIES
D. Los Gatos Union Elementary School District
The Los Gatos Union Elementary School District manages and main-
tains four school properties within the Town of Los Gatos. All four
schools contain facilities that are open to the general public when not
in use by the School District. These facilities are utilized by each of
the schools during the academic year for regular school functions and
activities. Sports fields are used Monday through Friday for recess and
physical education programs between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Addition-
ally, LGS Recreation operates before- and after-school care programs at
each of the schools, utilizing a small portion of the athletic facilities for
group activities and games. At the three elementary schools, LGS Recre-
ation provides full daycare services between 7:00 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. and
is referred to as "The Clubhouse." At Fisher Middle School, daycare is
offered from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and
is referred to as "The Zone."
For after-school and weekend activities on school properties, LGS Rec-
reation has first priority for field selection after the individual school
and, along with the School District, effectively sets the schedule for all
other events held on these properties.
Figure 3 identifies the locations of all of the schools, both public and
private, that are within the Town of Los Gatos.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES 0
F~~== 3
Schools:
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
021 PUBLIC FACILITIES
1. Blossom Hill Elementary School
16400 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
• Total Size of Facility: 3 acres
• Facility Amenities: 3 baseball fields
36,000 square-foot multi-use field
Basketball courts
Gymnasium
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities 16
Organized Activities and Other Use: The baseball fields at Blos-
som Hill Elementary School are currently used by Los Gatos Little
League for T-Ball, Coach-Pitch A (CPA), Machine-Pitch A (MPA)
and AA league play." Additionally, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Girls
Softball Association uses one of the baseball fields for practices and
games. " The multi-use field area is approximately 240 feet by 150
feet and is used for soccer games and practices during the fall sea-
son. LGS Recreation typically uses the field area for two 120-foot
by 150-foot soccer practice fields. A temporarily T-ball field has
been constructed alongside the multi-use field area for use by the
Los Gatos Little League. Although the school's facilities are appro-
priate for pick-up games and other informal activities, due to cur-
rent usage, there is very limited availability- for unscheduled use.
Current Field Use and Capacity: The school's baseball fields are
reserved by the Los Gatos Little League and the Los Gatos-Saratoga
Girls Softball Association for practices and games Monday through
Friday 3:00 p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday
9:00 a.m. to dusk. Due to the removal of a baseball field during re-
cent renovations, reducing the total number of baseball fields from
four to three, the multi-use field area has had a temporary T-ball
field constructed alongside it for use by Los Gatos Little League
during the spring and summer seasons. Between school, daycare,
Los Gatos Little League and Los Gatos-Saratoga Girls Softball As-
sociation use, there is no additional availability at this facility for
organized activities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES r~s~
Daves Avenge Elementary School
17777 Daves Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility-: 2 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 baseball fields
36,CC0 square-foot multi-use field area
Basketball courts
Gymnasium
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The baseball fields at Daves
Avenue Elementary School are currently used for practice by the
Los Gatos Little League. The multiuse field area is approximate-
ly 300 feet by 120 feet and is used for soccer games and practices
during the fall season. The Los Gatos United Soccer League and
LGS Recreation typically use this field area for two 150-foot by
120-foot soccer practice fields. Additionally, LGS Recreation uses
the school's gymnasium and field areas during the summer for its
multi-sport camp. Although the school's facilities are appropriate
for pick-up games and other informal activities, due to current us-
age, there is very limited availability for unscheduled use.
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: The school's baseball fields are re-
served by the Los Gatos Little League for practice Monday through
Friday 3:00 p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday
9:00 a.m. to dusk. Due to neighborhood complaints, the field is
used only when necessary on Sundays. Between school, daycare
and Los Gatos Little League use, there is no additional availability
at this facility for organized activities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
02 PUBLIC FACILITIES
Louise Van Meter Elementary School
16445 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 2.5 acres
• Facility Amenities: 2 baseball fields
21,600 square-foot multi-use field area
Basketball courts
Gymnasium
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
Organized Activities and Other Use: Currently, one of the
baseball fields at Louise Van Meter Elementary School is used
by the Los Gatos Pony League" and the other baseball field is
used by the Los Gatos Little League for practices. The multi-use
field area is approximately 180 feet by 120 feet and is used for
soccer games and practices during the fall season. The Los Ga-
tos United Soccer League and LGS Recreation use the multi-use
field area as two 90-foot by 120-foot practice fields for soccer.
Additionally, LGS Recreation uses the school's field areas dur-
ing the summer for youth soccer camp. Although the school's
facilities are appropriate for pick-tip games and other informal
activities, due to current usage, there is very limited availability
for unscheduled use-
Current Field Use and Capacity: The school's baseball fields are
reserved by the Los Gatos Little League and the Los Gatos Pony
League for practices and games Monday through Friday 3:00
p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday 9:00 a.m.
to dusk. Between school, daycare, Los Gatos Little League and
Los Gatos Pony League uses, there is no additional availability
at this facility for organized activities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
r)
PUBLIC FACILITIES
4. Raymond J. Fisher Middle School
19195 Fisher Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 9 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 1 baseball field (Hover Field)
59,400 square foot multi-use field area
Basketball courts
Gymnasium
Parking lot
Restroona facilities
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The baseball field at Fish-
er Middle School, known as Hoyer Field, is Currently used by
the Los Gatos Pony League for practices and games. The multi-
use field area is approximately 330 feet by 180 feet and is the
only field used for soccer year-round. The Los Gatos United
Soccer League and LGS Recreation typically use the field area
as four 80-foot by 180-foot practice fields for soccer. Addition-
ally, LGS Recreation uses the school's gymnasium during the
summer volleyball and basketball camps. Although the school's
facilities are appropriate for pick-up games and other informal
:activities, due to current usage, there is very limited availability
for unscheduled use.
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: The school's baseball field is
reserved by the Los Gatos Pony League for practices and games
Monday through Friday 3:00 p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m.
to dusk, and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to dusk, The multi-use field area
is reserved by the Los Gatos United Soccer League for practices
and games Monday through Friday 3:C0 p.m. to dusk, Satur-
day 8:C0 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to dusk. Between
school, before- and after-school care, Los Gatos Little League
and Los Gatos Pony League uses, there is no additional avail-
ability at this facility for organized activities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
O~ PUBLIC FACILITIES
E. Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District manages and
maintains one school property within the Town of Los Gatos. Los Ga-
tos High School facilities are open to the general public when not in use
by the School District. These facilities are utilized by the High School
during the academic year for regular school functions and activities. The
Los Gatos High School campus contains sports fields that are used Mon-
day through Friday for school functions and physical education programs
between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Organized recreational activities and
sporting events are permitted use of the facilities for a fee depending on
the school's athletic schedule.
1. Los Gatos High School
20 High School Court
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 27 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 baseball fields
104,100 square-foot soccer field
108,900 square-foot football field
6 basketball courts
4 tennis courts
1 swimming pool
I exercise room
Gvmnasium
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
Organized Activities and Other Use: LGS Recreation's Adult
Softball League uses one of the baseball fields for practices during
the spring and summer seasons. Due to the high school's regu-
larly scheduled uses during the school year for physical education,
sporting events and other activities, LGS Recreation only uses the
school's facilities during the summer for tennis and soccer camps-
Although the school's facilities are appropriate for pick-up games
and other informal activities, due to current usage, there is very
limited availability for unscheduled use.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of t_os Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: One of the school's baseball fields
is reserved by the LGS Recreation for its Adult Softball League Mon-
day through Thursday 6:4; p.m. to 10:x0 p.m. The other baseball
field and the multi-use field areas are reserved for use by Los Gatos
High School teams and events. There is no additional availability at
this facility for organized activities.
ei~
F. Union School District
The Union School District manages and maintains three properties within
the Town of Los Gatos, including two properties that are currently occu-
pied by private schools. The Alta Vista Elementary School is the only pub-
lic school occupying facilities that are owned and maintained by the Union
School District within Los Gatos. Additionally, the Union School District
owns and maintains the facilities used by the Stratford School and the Mul-
berry School, two private schools that are currently leasing their campuses
from the District. All three of the schools contain facilities that are open
to the general public when not in use by the School District. These facili-
ties are utilized by each of the schools during the academic year for regular
school functions and activities. Sports fields are used Monday through Fri-
day for recess and physical education programs between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00
p.m. Organized recreational leagues and teams are permitted to use these
facilities for a fee after school hours and on Saturdays, depending on the
schools' athletic schedule. Union School District fields are not available for
group activities on Sundays.
1. Alta Vista Elementary School
300 Blossom Valley Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Fac1l1tN% 8.24 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 4 baseball fields
Basketball courts
Gymnasium
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Toevn of Los Ga:c_
021 PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The baseball fields are cur-
rently used by the Branham Hills Girls Softball League for prac-
tices and interleague games. ° Although the school's facilities are
appropriate for pick-up games and other informal activities, due
to current usage, there is very limited availability for unscheduled
use.
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: The school's four baseball fields
are reserved by the Branham Hills Girls Softball League for prac-
tices and games Monday through Friday 4:00 p.m. to dusk, and
Saturday 8:00 a.nt. to dusk. Between school activities and Bran-
ham Hills Girls Softball League uses, there is no additional avail-
ability at this facility for organized activities.
The Mulberry School (P-5)
Mirassou Property
220 Belgatos Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 6.8 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 baseball fields
Play yards
Multi-purpose room
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Due to the field's uneven ter-
rain, it is not currently used by outside leagues for organized ath-
letic events. The school's facilities are available for pick-up games
and other informal activities.
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: There are no scheduled activities
or athletic events currently held at this facility after school or on
the weekends.
♦ Additional Information: The Mulberry School is located adjacent
to Belgatos Park, and the school utilizes its facilities for hiking and
informal play.
i Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PUBLIC FACILITIES
3. The Stratford School (P-5)
Howes Property
220 Kensington Way
Los Gatos, CA 93032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 7.3 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 baseball fields
49,500 square-foot multi-use field area
Basketball courts
Gymnasium
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
Organized Activities and Other Use: The baseball fields are used by
the Union Little League for games and practices during the spring
season. The multi-use field area is approximately 330 feet by 130 feet
and is used for soccer practices during the fall season. The Los Gatos
United Soccer League uses the field area as two 165-foot by 1501-foot
practice fields. Although the school's facilities are appropriate for
pick-up games and other informal activities, due to current usage,
there is very limited availability for unscheduled use.
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: The school's two baseball fields are
reserved by the Union Little League for practices and games Monday
through Friday 4.00 p.m. to dusk, and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk.
Between school activities and Union Little League uses, there is no
additional availability at this facility for organized activities.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Ga~os
0 21 PUBLIC FACILITIES
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
UASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES
This section describes those facilities that are owned crud/or operated by community- and faith-
based organizations within Los Gatos. The following quasi public facilities offer recreational
programs or facility access to public for little or no fee.
A. Community-Based Organization
Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley in Los Gatos UCC)
Lev), Family Campus
Yayneh Day School
14855 Oka Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Owner: The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley
♦ Management: Addison Penzak Jewish Community Center
♦ Hours of Operation: 5:C0 a.m. to 1C:OC p.m. during the week, and
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the weekends.
♦ Size of Facility: 20,000 square-foot fitness center
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 baseball fields
30,600 square-foot multi-use field"
4 tennis courts
2 basketball courts
1 lap pool
1 kiddie pool
2 exercise rooms, each t,8C0 square feet
Gymnasium
Restroom facilities
Locker rooms
Parking lot
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
To:,n of Los Gatos
031 QUASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES
♦ Additional Facility: Yavneh School (K-8). The Yavneh School uti-
lizes all of the JCC's facilities. Yavneh students in the fifth grade
and above can participate in competitive interscholastic athletic
programs through the Silicon Valley Athletic League.
♦ Use Restrictions: The facilities are available for use by its members
or through organized recreational or athletic leagues with permis-
sion. Non-member leagues and teams are required to pay a fee for
use of the facilities for practices and games.
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The JCC hosts member ten-
nis leagues and tournaments, as well as a competitive swim team.
The baseball fields on the JCC campus are currently used by the
Los Gatos Little League for practices. The Pacific Soccer Academy
uses the multi-use field area as two practice fields year-round.
♦ Current Field Use and Capacity: The JCC's baseball fields are
reserved for Los Gatos Little League practices Monday through
Friday 4:30 p.m. to dusk, Saturday 8:00 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday
9:C0 a.m. to dusk. The Pacific Soccer Academy hosts youth soccer
lessons from 9:45 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and
the Yavneh School uses the fields for the remainder of the time dur-
ing the week. There is no additional availability at this facility for
organized activities.
♦ Additional Information: The JCC currently offers spinning, pi-
lates, weight training, synchronized swimming, youth fitness,
dance and aerobic exercise classes. JCC members are also allowed
to participate in its volleyball, swimming, water polo, softball and
tennis lessons, clinics and competitions.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
T 1 45
QUASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES
B. Faith-Based Organizations & Schools
1. Venture Christian Church & Los Gatos Christian School (K-8)
16845 Hicks Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ O vmer: Venture Christian Church
♦ Management: Venture Christian Church
♦ Facility Amenities: 1 baseball field
43,','10 square-foot multi-use field area
4 basketball courts
Gymnasium
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
♦ Use Restrictions: Venture Christian Church's facilities are in
continuous use by the school and church and are not open to the
public.
2. Calvary Church
16330 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 9K' 32
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 basketball courts
Gymnasium
Weight room
Playground area
Parking lot
Restroom facilities
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The gymnasium is open
weekday evenings for informal basketball and volleyball games.
The gymnasium is also used for meekly ballroom dance lessons
and other recreational activities. These events are open to the
public and are free of charge.
Parks, Opera Space and Trait Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
03
UASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES
3. Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos & Shannon School
16575 Shannon Road
Los Gatos, CA 95037
♦ Facility Amenities: 2 playground areas
Multi-purpose room
Lawn area
• Organized Activities and Other Use: All facilities are used ex-
clusively by the church and preschool and are not open to the
public.
4. Los Gatos United Methodist Church
111 Church Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
♦ Facility Amenities: Skate park
Gymnasium
Snack bar
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The skate park is located
in the gymnasium and is open every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to
7:C0 p.m.
♦ Additional Information: The skate park is open to members of
the public free of charge.
5. St. Mary's Elementary Church & School
30 Lvndon Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
• Facility Amenities: Basketball courts
Lawn area
Gymnasium
Playground area
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use. The facilities are in con-
tinuous use by the school and church and are not open to the
public.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town oT Los Gatos
QUASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES C 1
The following faith-based organizations are located in Los Gatos and may
have recreation facilities, however, they are not open to public.
6. Congregation Shir Hadash
20 Cherry Blossom Lane
Los Gatos, CA 95032
7. Eitz Chaim Academe
16555 Shannon Road
Los Gatos, CA 95332
8. Faith Lutheran
16548 Ferris Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95032
9. First Assembly of God
16735 Lark Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95032
10. First Church of Christ Scientist Los Gatos
216 112 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
11. First Church of Christ Scientist-Los Gatos Church
238 E Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
12. Global Community Church
16330 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
13. Holy Cross Lutheran & Children's Center
15885 Los Gatos-Almaden Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032:
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
03 1 OUASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES
14. HOPE Christian Church
1975 Pollard Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
15. Korean Revival Presbyterian Church
1849 Pollard Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
16. Seventh Day Adventist Church
57 Broadway
Los Gatos, CA 95C30
17. St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church
14263 Mulberry Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
18. St. Luke's Episcopal Church
20 University Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 9530
19. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
15983 Rose Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95C3C
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PRIVATE FACILITIES 0 section describes those facilities that are owned and/or operated b1' private organizations.
These facilities require paid anembership orfactlity of Nation for use of their facilities and are not
open to the general public or outside recreational groups. In Los Gatos, there is one private school
facility and ten athletic clubs that include private recreational and otherathletic facilities.
A. Private School
1. Hillbrook School (Preschool-8)
300 Marchmont Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Owncr: The Hillbrook School
• Management: The Hillbrook School
♦ Total Size of Campus: 14 acres
♦ Facility Amenities: 1 baseball field
1 multi-use field area
5 basketball courts
i swimming pool
5 play structures
Gymnasium
Restroom facilities
Locker rooms
Parking lot
♦ Use Restrictions: The school's recreational facilities are used by
students during physical education classes, recess and interscholastic
sports activities and are not open to the public.
• Additional Information: The northeastern corner of the campus has
a professionally-graded, natural-turf multi-use field, which is used for
lacrosse, soccer, flag footbali and softball practices and games. Start-
ing in fifth grade, students have the opportunity to participate in in.
terscholastic sports, including basketball, volleyball, flag football and
softball.
Parks. Open Space and Trarf Inventory
To,tir of Los Gatos
04PRIVATE FACILITIES
A. Private Atbletic Clubs and Workout Facilities
2, Los Gatos Athletic Club
285 East Main Street
Los Gatos CA 95030
♦ Total Size of Facility: 49,000 square feet
♦ Facility Amenities: Cardiovascular room
Group exercise rooms
3 full racquetball courts
1 full indoor basketball court
1 heated outdoor swimming pool
1 indoor 25-yard lap pool
Daycare facilities
Cafe
Locker rooms
Restroom facilities
Deck and lawn area
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Group and private swim les-
sons, adult swim classes, private racquetball lessons, handball games,
seasonal racquetball leagues, a basketball league and tournament, and
drop-in basketball games. The deck and lawn areas are for passive
use only.
♦ Group Exercise Classes: Circuit Training, Tai Chi, Step and Sculpt,
Jazzercise, Cardio Dance, Sports Conditioning, Aerobics, Medita-
tion, Water Fitness Classes and Spinning.
♦ Additional Information: The cardiovascular room includes tread-
mills, elliptical machines, rowing machines, stairmasters, recumbent
_ bikes and stationary bikes. The
Los Gatos Athletic Club is located
downtown and has a range of activi-
ties occurring throughout the day.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PRIVATE FACILITIES
3. Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club
14700 Oka Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 189,000 square feet
♦ Facility Amenities: Group exercise rooms
1 outdoor spa
1 sauna
l heated outdoor 100-foot lap pool
I heated outdoor 75-foot lap pool
I heated outdoor n-ading pool
13 lighted tennis courts
Pro Shop
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: Tennis clinics, lessons and drills for all ages
and skill-levels, competitive tennis leagues, tennis tournaments, a year -round
swim team, and swim meets.
♦ Group Exercise Classes: Cardiovascular and strength training classes, circuit train-
ing, kickboxing, group cycling, kids' fit play, pilates mat classes, group running,
toga, personal training, aqua group exercise classes, and group swim lessons.
4. Courtside Club
14673 Winchester Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 10,000 square-foot fitness center
♦ Facility Amenities: 14 outdoor tennis courts
4 indoor tennis courts
2 group exercise studios
2 volleyball courts
3 basketball courts
1 cycling studio
3 swimming pools
Gymnasium
Youth center
Full-service day spa
Cafe
Pro Shop
Locker rooms
Restroom facilities
Parking lot
Parks, Open Spare and Trail Inventory
To.,n of Los Gatos
04 PRIVATE FACILITIES
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: The gymnasium is used for
volleyball clinics, open play, conditioning drills and private lessons.
The gymnasium is also used for open soccer play and clinics. The
club hosts a coed indoor soccer league for its members. Additionally,
pickup basketball games, league competition and basketball camps
are hosted by the club. The tennis courts are utilized for lessons,
clinics and member leagues.
♦ Group Exercise Classes: Swimming, tennis and golf lessons, aqua
fitness, circuit training, yoga, pilates, step-aerobics, cardio dance, and
spinning classes.
5. La Rinconda Country Club
14595 Clearview Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
♦ Total Size of Facility: 125 acres,
including 30,000 square-foot clubhouse
♦ Facility Amenities: 18 hole golf course
2 dining facilities
300-yard driving range
12 hole putting green
Proshop
Restroom facilities
Parking lot
♦ Organized Activities and Other Use: La Rinconada Country Club
members can use the clubhouse facilities and golf course fora fce.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
PRIVATE FACILITIES 0 -1
The following private clubs currently offer specialized services that require a
membership fee or a drop-in class tee.
6. Cadence Fitness
17417 Farley- Road West
Los Gatos, CA 95030
7. Fitness Clinic of Los Gatos
13405 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95030
8. Los Gatos Ballet and Pilates
16 Lyndon Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
9. Yoga Center of Los Gatos
9 Montebello Way
Los Gatos, CA 95032
10. Yoga Source Los Gatos
154450 Los Gatos Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
04 PRIVATE FACILITIES
Parks, Open Space and Trail inventory
1 Town of Los Gatos
SUMMARY
The following section provides a brief summary of the parks, open space areas, and trails that
are currently located within the Los Gatos community.
The parks, open space and trails described in this inventory include public,
quasi-public and private facilities, located both indoors and outside, within
the Town of Los Gatos. Detailed information regarding the location, size,
ownership, amenities, activities, use restrictions and site characteristics is
provided for a total of 40 facilities as follows.
♦ Seventeen Town-owned and operated facilities
Two hlidpeninsula Regional Open Space District facilities
♦ Two Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation facilities
4 Eight local public school district facilities
♦ One community-based facility
♦ Five faith-based facilities
♦ One private school facility
♦ Four private athletic club facilities
Facility--specific information was obtained through telephone inter-
views, facility questionnaires, email correspondence, site visits and in-
dependent research. In particular, staff from the Los Gatos Planning
Department and the Parks and Forestry Division of the Parks and
Public Works Department, as well as staff front LGS Recreation and
the Los Gatos United Soccer League, provided a significant amount
of information about recreation facilities and programming. Table 3
provides a summary of the 40 facilities for which detailed information
is provided, and Figure 4 indicates their location.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Tos:n or Los Gatos
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Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
To',vn of Los Gatos
05 SUMMARY
A. Fields
The Town of Los Gatos is currently home to 15 facilities containing one or
more sports fields on-site. These facilities are owned by public, quasi-public
and private organizations-
♦ Four are owned and operated by the Town of Los Gatos Parks and
Public Works Department;
♦ Four are owned and operated by the Los Gatos Union Elementary
School District;
♦ One is owned and operated by the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union
High School District;
♦ Three are owned and operated by the Union School District;
♦ Two are owned and operated by community or faith-based groups;
One is owned and operated by a private school.
Of the 15 facilities, two are unavailable for use by outside groups or leagues.
Out of the 13 facilities available for use by outside leagues or teams, eight
are currently at capacity, and do not have any additional field availabili-
ty. Those facilities include all four of the Los Gatos Union Elementary
School District schools, the Los Gatos High School, two schools in the
Union School District, and the Jew-
ish Community Center. There are
of two facilities with fields that have
complete availability during the
spring season; however, one of those
facilities, the Mulberry School, is
considered very undesirable due to
its uneven terrain.
In addition to student and resident
use, several of the fields are utilized
by local sports leagues for team
practices and games. These leagues
include: LGS Recreation, Los Ga-
tos Unified Soccer League, Los Ga-
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
SUMMARY
tos Little League, Los Gatos-Saratoga Softball Association, Los Gatos Pony
League, Union Little League, Pacific Union Academy and the Branham Hill
Girls Softball League. Currently, LGS Recreation and the Los Gatos Uni-
fied Soccer League each utilize seven different facilities for athletic activities
throughout Los Gatos. Los Gatos Little League holds games and practices at
five different facilities a-ithin Los Gatos.
Table 1, located in Chapter 1 of this report, provides a summary of each
facility's fields and recreational league use. As shown in the table, 13 of the
15 identified facilities currently have one or more baseball fields, for a total of
25 baseball fields." Additionally, eleven of the facilities have a multi-use field
area that allows scheduled activities and is appropriate for organized group
sporting events. These facilities provide a total of approximately 516,700
square feet of multi-use field space within Los Gatos. These fields are utilized
by school children, organized teams and sports leagues, as well as by the
general public.
B. Parks
Local parks are essential to the quality of
life for many Los Gatos residents, pro-
viding recreational opportunities, neigh-
borhood gathering facilities, and natural
beauty throughout the community. The
To,~%•n of Los Gatos contains a total of 16
parks, all of which are publicly owned
and operated. Fourteen of these parks
are located on Town-owned land and
are maintained by PPW. The remain-
ing two parks are owned and operated
by the Santa Clara County Parks and
Recreation Department. In total, there
are approximately 240 acres of parkland
within Los Gatos, containing nearly sev-
en miles of multi-use trails and over 65
acres of lawn area.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
SUMMARY
C. Open Space Areas and Preserves
Open space areas and preserves within Los Gatos help protect the area's
natural beauty and contribute to a regional system of hiking, biking and
equestrian trails, The Town of Los Gatos contains a total of four open
space areas, all of which are publicly owned and operated. Two of the
open space areas are located on Town-owned land and are maintained by
PPW, while the other two are owned and operated by the Ntidpeninsula Re-
gional Open Space District. These four Open Space Areas, the Santa Rosa,
Heinz, St. Joseph's Hill and Sierra Azul, preserve approximately 1,160 acres
of wildlife and plant habitat. These areas offer abundant natural beauty
and are available to the entire community for low-intensity recreation and
environmental education.
D. Trails and Bikeways
Los Gatos contains several multi-use trails and bikeways which provide im-
portant connections and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors
alike. As a dedicated pathway for nonmotorized activities and a minimum
of eight feet aide to accommodate two-way travel, the Los Gatos Creek
Trail is the only recognized Class I bikeway in Los Gatos.-` In addition to
the Los Gatos Creek Trail, all of the open space areas, as well as some of
the Town's parks, contain trails that are appropriate for hiking, biking, jog-
ging, horseback riding and informal nonmotorized activities. These trails
are located in Belgatos Park, Novitiate Park, Worcester Park, the Heinz
and Santa Rosa Open Speace Areas, St. Joseph's Hill Preserve and the Sierra
Azul Preserve.
Los Gatos also contains on-street bikeways which enable bicyclists to travel
within the community, as well as connect to larger trail networks. Class
iI bikeways provide stripped bike lanes that give bicyclists preferential use
and are a minimum of four feet wide. Class III bike routes share the road-
way with vehicular traffic and include signs to direct bicyclists and drivers.
Figure indicates the locations of the existing and proposed trails and bike-
ways within Los Gatos."
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
1 Town of Los Gatos
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Parks. Open Space and Trail Inventory
To,vn of Los Ga±os
051 SUMMARY
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
RECREATION LEAGUES & ORGANIZATIONS
The foll0W1ngsection provides contact information for local organizations t1yatprouide athletic
and recreational programs to the Los Gatos community.
1. Soccer
Los Gatos United Soccer Club
(408) 358-9289
2. Baseball and Softball Leagues
Los Gatos Little League
(408) 356-4802
3. Los Gatos Pony League
(408) 356-9756
4. Los Gatos Saratoga Fast Pitch Softball
(408) 291-2148
5. Bicycling
Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Chub
(408) 4356-6611
6. Birdwatcbing
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
(408) 252-3747
7. Boating
Los Gatos Rowing Club
(408) 353-8921
Parks, Open Space and Trait Inventory
To.vn of Los Gatos
06 RECREATION LEAGUES & ORGANIZATIONS
8. Horseriding
Los Gatos Horseman's Association
(408) 354-2307
9. Local Recreation
Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation
(408) 354-8700
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
END NOTES
1. Information regarding facilities owned and operated by the Town of Los Gatos
was obtained from PP\1''s 'Parks Program Maintenance Areas Listing" fact sheet,
which was provided by Tim Boger, Park Superintendent. Additional information
was gathered during site visits,
2. AAA baseball is for players between the ages of nine and eleven years old. Teams
typically have two games and one practice each week during the season which begins
in early to mid-'starch and ends in earls June_
3. Peterson, Judy. "New Balzer Field building will serve users of creek trail, Little
Leaguers." Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 21, 2008.
4. Information on the renovation of Balzer Field and Baggerly Field at Blossom
Hill Park was obtained from the Los Gatos Little League 2008 Letter to parents and
players.
5. The multi-use held square-footage estimate for Blossom Hill Park is based on tele-
phone interviews with Steve Rauwolf of LGS Recreation and Tim Boyer of PPS\'s
Parks and Forestn- Department, as well as aerial photographs.
6. Majors level basebal is for players between the ages of 10 and 12 years old, and
it is the most competitive level of baseball in Little League. Teams begin practicing
several times per week in early February. During the season, which lasts from late
February or early March through early June, teams may continue to practice two or
more times per week and will play two games each week.
7. Dallas, Peggy, Alastair Dallas, and Chris Wiley. -What Will a Skatepark Really
Cost: Actual town expenses, other city's skatepark costs." Los Gatos Observer,
February 4, 2008.
8. Information on the renovation of Balzer Field and Baggerly Field at Blossom
Hill Park was obtained from the Los Gatos Little League 2CC8 Letter to parents and
players.
Parks, Open Space and Trail lnverntary
I Garr of Los Gatos
END NOTES
9. Email correspondence from Curtis Banks with regard to Los Gatos Observer
2/4/08 article, including information provided by PPW.
10. Ordinance 1918: Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos Amending Ordinance
No. 1351 Expanding the District Boundaries and Modifying the Development Stan-
dards Effecting Zone Change No. 89 (Fairview Plaza Historic District).
11. April 17, 2008 telephone conversation with Tim Boyer of PPW and Curtis
Banks of the Los Gatos Planning Department.
12. The multi-use field square-footage estimate for Live Oak Manor Park is based
on a telephone interview with Steve Rauwolf of LGS Recreation and information
on the Los Gatos United Soccer League website (http://www.Igusl,org), as well as
aerial photographs.
13. Restroom and parking facilities are available at Balzer Fields, Oak Meadow
Park and Vasona Lake Count Park.
14. The multi-use field square-footage estimate for Oak Meadow Park is based on a
telephone interview with Steve Rauwolf of LGS Recreation and information on the
Los Gatos United Soccer League website (http://ww•w.Igusl.org), as well as aerial
photographs.
1 i. April 17, 2008 phone call n-ith Tim Boyer of PPV' and Curtis Banks of the Los
Gatos Planning Department.
16. School restroom facilities are located inside the school building and are avail-
able for use during indoor activities or if access is granted to the facility.
17. T-Ball level baseball is for first-time baseball players ages live and sir. Teams
will have one weekday practice and one Saturday game each week. The season,
which begins in late March and ends in late May or early June, includes approxi-
mately 10 games.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
END NOTES
Coach-Pitch A (CPA) level baseball is for players between the ages of six and seven.
CPA Teams will have one weekday practice and one Saturday game each week. The
season, which begins in late March and ends in late May or early June, includes ap-
proximately 10 games.
Machine-Pitch A (NIPA) level baseball is for players between the ages of seven and
eight. MPA Teams will have one practice, one weekday game and one Saturday game
each week during the season which begins in late %larch or early April and ends in
late May or early June.
AA level baseball is for players between the ages of eight and ten years old. AA
Teams have one practice, one weekday game and one Saturday game each week dur-
ing the season which begins in mid to late March and ends in late May or early June.
13. The 12U League, for girls :ages 121 to 13 years old, and the 16U League, for girls
14 to 17 years old, both use the Blossom Hill School fields for games and practices.
During the season, there are two games every week, one during the week and another
on Saturday. The 12U and 16LT Leagues typically- practice twice a week, starting in
early February. The regular season begins in mid March and concludes at the end of
May. Some playoff games may extend to early June.
19. The Los Gatos Pony Baseball and Softball League is for players ages 13 and 14.
The season starts in late March and last until the end of June.
20. Branham Hills Girls Softball (BI-1GS) League is open to players between the ages
five of 14 years old. The league offers recreational and competitive girls fstpitch
softball. The BHGS recreational softball season runs from February through early
June and the competitive season nun from June through the fall.
21. The multi-use field square-footage estimate for the JCC's facilities is based on
information provided by Len Connolly, Facilities Director of the Levy- Family Cam-
pus, information on the Los Gatos United Soccer League website (ht[p://wcsro ,Igusl.
org), as well as aerial photographs.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos
END NOTES
22, Totals do not include information on the Hillbrook and Mulberry schools'
field facilities; we are awaiting response from each school.
23. Information on bikeway classifications and routes obtained from the Trails and
Bikeways Master Plan that was published as part of the Existing Conditions Report
for the 2000 General Plan Update.
24. The location of the park and open space trails indicated in Figure 5 were ob-
tained from maps provided online by the Town of Los Gatos and the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District for each of their respective properties. The maps
provided online did not include specific geographic coordinates or other locadonal
indicators, and therefore, the routes shown in the figure may not accurately reflect
the exact trail alignments.
Parks, Open Space and Trail Inventory
Town of Los Gatos