Jean Sweeney Park: Planning Board Takes First Look at Master Plan

Jean Sweeney's vision for turning 22 acres of former railroad property into an urban oasis took a small step forward Monday evening as the Alameda Planning Board reviewed a conceptual master plan for the park.

The plan, created at no charge by architect and Planning Board member Kristoffer Koster, includes bike and pedestrian trails, 180 parking spaces,a two-acre community garden, a bicycle skills track, an outdoor classroom area, one or more pavilions, two "natural" playgrounds, a Zen-style garden and a central area that would be an "urban forest."

The linear park will stretch from Constitution Way to Sherman Street.

Sweeney, who died in 2011, wanted to preserve the "passive open space" that provided a haven for butterflies, frogs and small mammals when she first saw the property, her husband Jim Sweeney told board members Monday.

"When we first went to the Alameda Belt Line railroad yard in 1998, Jean said, 'This has to be a park,'" he said. 

Jean Sweeney wasn't content to simply dream of a park. Her research turned up old documents that let the city buy the property for its original purchase price of under $1 million, and she spearheaded a ballot initiative that required the land to be used for open space.

Although there's still no budget for turning the property into a park, planning is moving ahead. Amy Wooldridge, the city's recreation and parks director, said the next step will be the environmental review process.

Meanwhile, she said, there's already a steering committee for the planned community garden and multiple offers to sponsor park benches in the quiet areas of the park.

Wooldridge describes the master plan in her staff report:

"The Draft Master Plan conceptual design groups the more active uses on the outside edges of the property, with the quieter, more serene areas in the main central area. The Cross-Alameda Trail, a council-approved pedestrian and bicycle trail running the length of the Island, is located on the northern edge of the property, away from the neighborhoods. There will also be a tree buffer along the southern edge, to act as a natural sound barrier for the residential area.

"Parking lots are located on each side of the property, with 180 total spaces, in order to provide enough available space to draw all parking away from residential areas.

"This draft plan provides for a wide variety of walking and biking trails. The Cross Alameda Trail, runs east/west and is a wide, paved trail that will have lighting 24/7 for commuters and safety. There is also a smaller walking/biking trail on the south side of the property. These two trails combine to offer a one-mile loop for bikers and walkers.

"Adjacent to this one-mile loop and separated by a 3-foot buffer, will be a bike skills track. This skills track, combined with the bike park on the west side of the park, provides a unique recreational opportunity and improves biking skills for both youth and adults.

"There are two north/south connectors to existing pathways in the Marina Village Business Park that link pedestrians to the Bay Trail and the Marina Village Shopping Center. There are also numerous pedestrian-only trails meandering throughout the urban forest, natural, and landscaped areas.

"The more active east and west areas include a parking lot, restroom, and natural-based playground.

"On the east side, there is also a bike park. Also toward the eastern side, there is an area designed around an open lawn that includes a gazebo, covered picnic pavilion, and an outdoor classroom with in-ground stone seating. There will be no amplified sound allowed; however this area is available for community rental, such as for an outdoor wedding ceremony. It also provides seating space for classes from local schools and the College of Alameda who are studying the interpretive trails, botany and natural space.

"Picnic tables and benches are scattered throughout the property and along trails. The center portion of the property includes a large urban forest, landscaped zen garden, and a frog pond. Pedestrian-only hiking trails meander throughout this area.

"A 2-acre community garden is located on the far western side of the property. This will be a plot-based garden, based on the recommendation from the Alameda Point Collaborative's feasibility study. It may include up to 250 plots, a central gathering area, common tool sheds and compost areas. There will be collaborative efforts to provide fresh produce for distribution by the Alameda Food Bank."

Members of the public offered several comments on the plan, including:

—A wish for more emphasis on open space.

—A request for an off-leash dog area.

—Praise for the proposed bicycle "pump track," an area designed to teach children some of the skills needed in mountain or off-pavement biking.

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