By Khalida Sarwari
Just last year, ideas about what to do with the then newly acquired 64-acre Quarry property flew left and right, with the community chiming in to propose grandiose visions for their future park. With the recent approval of $93,000 for the first phase of the project, the city is one step closer to having a new open space for residents to explore.
The initial phase of the project is now underway, following the Saratoga City Council’s approval of a motion on Sept. 3 authorizing the city manager to enter into a professional services agreement with Placeworks, the design firm that developed the master plan.
“Because it was a large project and due to the large budget it would take to do it all at once, the master plan has phased the improvements over time,” public works director John Cherbone told the council prior to their unanimous vote to accept the design contract.
Here’s what’s on the agenda for the initial round of improvements: gravel staging area for about 50 cars with the nearby construction of a bioswale around the northern perimeter of the parking area to capture stormwater and treat it prior to reaching Saratoga Creek; a welcome station that includes an informational kiosk and sufficient seats, along with restroom facilities, a drinking fountain and bicycle parking; an initial trail network consisting of 0.8 miles of trail, primarily located on existing roads; the planting of native trees and shrubs to buffer the parking area from the Saratoga Creek corridor; and an entrance sign on state Highway 9, hazard signs at steep drop-offs and tunnels, and 15 directional and/or “do not enter” signs at key locations throughout the trail network.
Finally, picnic area improvements will be done based on how much funding is left, but the plan is to restore some of the site furniture, stone walls and steps and barbeque pits as well as event space improvements. The council did also authorize the city manager to approve up to $9,300 to cover any unanticipated additional costs that may arise during construction, which is scheduled to kick off next summer.
Approved in June, the master plan also includes a boardwalk trail, staging areas, parking, recreational facilities, event space, a grassy meadow as well as the implementation of measures to preserve important habitats and the historic features on the property. The city’s goal is to eventually connect the park to the existing Skyline-to-the Sea trail.
Located on Highway 9 near the Saratoga Village and Hakone Gardens, the property was purchased by the city in 2011 with the goal of developing a park that will promote public access and recreation, encourage resource protection and develop local and regional trail connections. The park is expected to be open in the next two or three years with its full potential unveiled over the next two decades.
Link: City approves $93,000 for first phase of Quarry Park project
