HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - PR - 1996.11.216
1
FA
3
BURLINGAME PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
7:30 p.m., Thursday, November2l, 1996
Conference Room A, City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame
Roll Call
Cretan, Dougherty, Kelly, Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Pera, Piccetti, Roberts
Approval of Minutes
Approve the minutes of the October 17 meeting
Old Business
A. Teen program issues & teen center
1) Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee
2) Survey of SM County City Teen Programs
3) Other
B. Report on meeting with Cuernavaca Park neighbors
C. Franklin Field status report
D. Report from City Attorney on status of Washington Park Tennis Court "bumps"
E. BIS athletic field project
F. Victoria Park playground project
G. Ray Park court resurfacing project
4. New Business
5. Reports
A. Parks Division
B. Recreation Division
C. Commissioners
6. Public Comments
This is the opportunity for members of the public to address the Commission regarding
items not otherwise on the agenda.
7. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting:
Commissioners Dinner
Thursday, December 19, 1996
Friday, March 14, 1997
�ttT A
-CITY U� Clryy OI1 BURLINGAME
U N�M1 PART-S & ia-lciZI4.A'1'ION
\+P 01111T90
November 18, 1996
l) ull l'A Rrl'IVI 14 N r
TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: Parks & Recreation Director
SUBJECT: Meeting With Cuernavaca Park Neighbors - 11/12/96
oll
On the evening of November 12, several City staff u and members GGS lu rt Drive to discund Commission Chair Dss issues Roberts
met with 13 park neighbors in the home of Janis M
about the use of Cuernavaca park, park cleanup, after hours
police ps a tacked and two lettersrlems ad possible future
steps to make the park a better neighbor. A meeting attendance
from park neighbors that were presented on November 12 are also attached.
Each of the park neighbors had the opportunity to present their concerns to the group.
■ Nigh� t tme _ r lems. The parking lots area iPo�rC have notKids
been gett g out adults
of thecars,
in the shade structure and in park shrubbery.and
so kids come out of hiding as soon as Police patrols bleave.Empty alcohol
areottles ar Y cans
are regularly found in the shade structure and shrubbery.
regu
found in these areas. The shade structure is presently in need t� erepair
did not respond toparking
calls in
lot
floodlight is currently not working. It was stated that he Pol
the area and that Police Dispatchers were sometimes ruo r ate City to sCodes Sectio. it was also ns noted
i n
that the Police cannot cite persons if there are not app p
place banning specific behavior.
■ Large weekend &roue rti s. The area is plagued with large out-of-town groups who
show up in the park every weekend during spring,summer he early lwhen the morn morning to "stake -out"
is
clear. Typically, the groups appear during the groups the picnic tables. There have been several confrontations Wkend there etween thesewas a rubber a'supported between
the groups and the neighbors. The previous
jumping structure, with generator, in use all day. All parking f (legally and
the park is
often used up by these group users. Many of these group park users park
block driveways. Some young men have been observed throwing things at neighbors' cars
and homes.
Discussions with user groups have shown that most of these users are from out of town.
Conversations with weekend group users have confirmed that many persons are residents
of areas from Pacifica to Hayward. Some of the user groups have intimidated or
frightened neighbors. Neighbors feel that some criminal types have been "casing" the
neighborhood for future criminal activity. Hot coals from portable barbecues are
sometimes dumped by users. Some neighbors noted that most park users are polite and are
not a threat to the neighborhood. Some groups cleanup after themselves, some do not.
Park Maintenance Worker David Ferenc stated that litter and trash were often excessive in
the park after weekend activities.
■ Dogs in the park. Residents stated that the park is heavily used by dog owners to walk
their pets. It was noted that most persons do cleanup after their dogs, but that some do
not. There have been incidents of large dogs attacking small dogs.
■ view concerns. Neighbors complained that the shade structure was built higher than was
promised by a City representative and is in violation of the CC&R's for the neighborhood.
Some felt that the row of Eucalyptus trees around the athletic field was a fire hazard, was
a leaf and debris generator, and were not being routinely maintained by the City. It was
also stated that the Eucalyptus trees are important for people using the athletic field. One
resident stated that the park should have more trees.
■ Athletic field users. It was stated that athletic field users often left the field, dugout,
restroom and bleacher areas strewn with litter. User groups should be made accountable
for cleanup.
■ Playground area. It was noted that big kids sometimes dominate the playground
equipment. Some parents are reluctant to take small children to the playground area
because older teens and adults in the shade structure and on the basketball court use
profane language.
■ Out of area basketball users. It was stated that groups of older boys and men regularly
drive to the park to use the basketball court for full court games. There is often heavy
beer drinking at these games, much loud profanity and others are kept off the court
because of the full court game.
■ Graffiti. Graffiti shows up in the park regularly.
City staff members and Park & Recreation Commission Chairman Don Roberts addressed many
of the issues that had been raised:
The Burlingame Police Department Watch Commander for the late afternoon and evening hours
is Sgt. Bob Ransom. He stated that the P.D. is concerned about the Cuernavaca Park area. Sgt.
Ransom noted that there have only been three calls from the Cuernavaca neighborhood in the time
period August, 1996 to the present. Three calls are not heavy traffic for any neighborhood. He
described the Police staffing levels and noted that at times there are only four or five officers on
patrol for the entire City.
Sgt. Ransom stated that he would work with his shift of patrol officers, encouraging them to get
out of their cars and to be more thorough in their inspections of the park. He noted that a recent
occurrence of burglaries in the area was unrelated to the park, but was common to several
neighborhoods along the 1-280 corridor. He noted that graffiti within the City of Burlingame is
checked from time to time, but that graffiti appearing in Cuernavaca Park has not been
particularly gang related in the past.
Sgt. Ransom encouraged neighbors to please call the Police whenever they observed ANY
suspicious behavior. Two neighbors stated that they would never call the Police.
Commission Chairman Don Roberts described how City Commissions operate and stated that the
Commission was concerned about the Cuernavaca Park problems that had been brought to the
Commission in August. He noted that this meeting was a first step in addressing the problems
being discussed. He indicated that during his years on the Commission, no neighbors have
reported any problems to the Commission or asked for relief from any of the issues being
discussed this evening. He indicated that Cuernavaca Park concerns would remain a priority with
the Commission in the future and he invited any interested neighbors to attend future meetings of
the Commission.
Parks & Recreation Director John Williams reviewed the steps that City staff have taken since this
matter first came to the Commission's attention in August. He stated that although he and Mrs.
Musante had discussed the weekend group problem at length on several occasions, he had only
been made aware of many of the other issues brought forward within the past three months. He
noted that Cuernavaca is a park that is only a "semi -neighborhood park," since the athletic field is
a vital part of the city-wide park system. The picnic area also needs to be reviewed since it is now
NOT a viable group picnic area and should, probably, either be improved or removed.
Williams said he would have the Parks Division install "Pooper Scooper" dispenser stations in
the park as a test to see if that would help the dog excrement problem. He stated that if this
group and the Commission agrees to study options for removing or remodeling the park shade
structure, he would work with a landscape architect to review remodel options that could be
brought back for neighborhood review. Williams will review options with the Recreation
Division staff, the Police and the City Attorney and determine if there are some specific steps
that eau be taken to prohibit certain activities in the park.
Parks Supervisor Bob Disco stated that he would request of the Public Works Department that
the parking lot floodlight be pat back into service.
rrgs - vote onibI actions. Chairman Roberts asked for a vote on four specific issues that
had come up to the group. The neighbors present unanimously voted to support the
following four actions:
The shade structure and group picnic area should be removed.
1�_ 0 More floodlights should be installed in the park.
■ Some existing basketball backstops should be removed and the court made into a half -
court basketball facility only.
■ The City should install one or more "pooper scooper" dispensing stations in the park.
Attachments:
1. List of neighbors attending meeting
2. Letter from Mrs. R. Tuccori
3 Letter from John & Marie Rolih
Attachment 1
CUERNAVACA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ROSTER
11/12/96
1
Neighbors present
Rosadetta Alberts, 1675 Hunt Drive--697-0231
John Batz, 3072 Alcazar Drive--697-2877
Sylvia Bearman, 3064 Alcazar Drive--697-2991
Leon & Claire DelGrande, 1625 Hunt Drive--692-0657
Richard DeMartini, 1605 Hunt Drive--692-1140
Gabriel J. Hyppolite, 3072 Alcazar Drive--697-2877
Carole Marcelett, 1655 Hunt Drive--692-1611
Anne C. MacFarlane, 3040 Alcazar Drive--6974480
Marie Elsa MacPherson, 1701 Hunt Drive--692-3595
Janis Musante, 1665 Hunt Drive--697-3362
Peggy Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar Drive--697-2897
Frank Suzuya, 3080 AlcazarDrive--697-0231
Park & Recreation Commission Chair presen
Don Roberts, 1381 De Soto--342-6804
City sty aff present
John W. Williams, Parks & Recreation Director
Bob Disco, Parks Supervisor
David Ferenc, Park Maintenance Worker
Sgt. Bob Ransom, Burlingame Police Department
Attachment 2
MY INPUT RE: CUERNAVACA PARK
To Whom It May Concern:
As a resident of this area for over 15 years Cuernavaca Park has always been a delightful place to
relax in. Take in the view, take some really beautiful pictures of the scenic vistas and use as a play place
for my grandchildren.
It is sad indeed to see the changes which have taken place over the past several years. Almost
every weekend someone has taken over the gazebo area and strung crape paper and party paraphanalia.
While I can walk to the park, so parking isn't my particular problem, the streets are full of cars parked end to
end. I can no longer sit in the park and watch the little ones on the slides and swings with their parents
because it seems as though lately N always party time, and there is no where to sit, and anyone with any
dignity would not dare to intrude in the gazebo where party cloths are set on every table to indicate the
area is taken. Moreover when they leave the area many times they do not remove the decorations and the
trash cans are overflowing with debris, and what doesn't fit in the cans is frequently left in the area
or on the tables for someone else to clean up.
I am sure that this mess adds to the animals which inhabit this area, especially the maurading
raccoons which regularly upend garbage cans in the area. I sincerely feel sorry for the parents in the area
who bring their little ones there during the weekdays, with broken glass strewn all over the concrete area
and on the lawns and in the sand area.
Cuernavaca Park has always been somewhat of a lovers lane and a beer drinking place on Friday
IV- and Saturday nights, but on the Fourth of July the park was full of youngsters, there were Firecrackers
going off, Fire works, including the orocket types which shoot high in the air, and while we were outside we en
saw two police cars drive by, but one stopped, or got out of the car, and no one stopped the
youngsters from using the illegal fireworks or firecrackers.
In the past the park was always used by residents, and suddenly I see that we are having Little
League Baseball games. Soccer practice sessions. Golfers galore, and if yours interested I have the golf
balls to prove it. They are frequently in my yard, on my front lawn, in the gutters in front of the house, or in
my pool.
Lately, I've noticed that almost everyday now there are several groups of teenages, perhaps
even some older, they play at basketball or just hang out, lounging all over their cars in front of the
basketball courts, so many intact that my mother will no longer walk around in this area alone because
she is uncomfortable with the undesireable looking individuals which now hang around here. The same is
true when my granddaughter visits, I cannot let her go to the park alone, and I am uncomfortable there
unless my husband is with me.
It is obvious that some kind of controls are need to stop the traffic impacting the area on
weekends, and weekday afternoons, also Friday and Saturday nights they park side by side in the middle
of Hunt Drive talking to each other and prevent traffic from passing by.
Perhaps the gazebo should be removed or fenced off and rented out through the Recreation
Department and only to people living in the Mills Estate area. The basket ball court is definitely attracting
the wrong type of element to a quiet residential area. And the number of robberies which have taken
place recently seem to imdemnify the fact that the park is providing a hiding place to untrustworty types
to come into the area and peruse the homes and lifestyles of an affluent community, as well as watch the
comings and goings of a particular house before breaking in. It certainly provides a great cover for
someone to see which houses have alarm systems, which do not. Where and who is gone all day and
who is home all day.
Moreover I feel that the park should be used as a residential area park, not equipped with facilities
which attract outsiders. I don't know what the total answer is, but I do know that the residents of Hunt
Drive which face the park tolerate a great deal of traffic, noise, and nuscience. Since the building of
1610 Hunt Drive I have been protected from a great deal of the problems, but I still get golf balls on
occasion and I still get an occasional baseball in my yard on bounced off my overhang. So the problem
does go beyond Hunt Drive.
Also may times on Friday nights, there are cars racing around the corner of Hunt and Rivera
on two wheels. We have had our planting area tom up several times by cars who lose control on the
turn, and it is truly a miracle that someone hasn't hit the wall as yet.
I sincerely hope that this meeting will result in some kind of change which will make Cuernavaca
Park less attractive to people not living in the area. I sincerely feel that the removal of all facilities, and
just leaving the area in lawn, and the childrens playground would immediately discourage the
undesireable element which is hanging around there now, because there will be nothing to do and
nowhere to hide. I also feel that perhaps it needs to be policed better both by the Police Department and
the Park and Recreation Department
Sincerely,
fie,
Mrs. R. Tuccori
09
Attachment 3
To: Burlingame Park Commission
Burlingame Police Department
John and Marie Rolih, 1700 Hunt Drive, Burlingame
We have been residents at this address since December of 1964. We purchased
our home with the hope that Mills Estates would become another Hillsborough.
Our home was the first built on this block of Hunt Drive. The other lots on
Hunt from Rivera to Atwater were graded as well as down Alcazar, except for
the area across Alcazar which, we were informed, had been set aside by the
st of
Eichler Eventually
it£or wasacity park graded and atthe lawn waseplantedl.eTheolowerman Dave
porttion
Martin. Eventually
was made into a baseball park.
Sometime in the mid -seventies, as we recall, we were informed that the park
would be completed and we were shown a sketch of the proposed design. That
plan was not implemented and, instead,the currenthenthgazebobakewas built which
was followed by the kiddies' playground
, none
of which were included in the design shown us.
The gazebo included a light which automatically turned on at dusk and off at
dawn. The teenagers didn't like it and broke the light. The light was
replaced and, again, the kids broke it. The city gave up and it has been
without the light ever since. Under those conditions, the gazebo has been
used for all sorts of activities at night. These include consumption of
beer and stronger beverages, practice of illicit sex on the tables and
using the gazebo area as rtheresome wereof the young girls present)nandecoulddbehseen
area ,ousidepassersby
the gazebo (perhaps
•passersby on the sidewalk, apparently without shame. Some parked their
1�,,ars, particularly where the street lights didn't reach, and the next day
we saw evidence of what they had been up to on the street or in our shrubbery.
We found it necessary at times to call the police and at other times the
police would patrol the area and find teenagers using the park after h ours.
As time wore on, teenagers who lived in the area grew up and moved away; so
thereafter we knew that the people who came with small children to use the
playground were not neighbors. Our main concern over the years has been that
too many of the parents neglected watching the children and instead chatted
with other mothers. In the meantime, the children wandered off to play in
the bushes below the playground. One can see the trails they have worn into
the ground there. They often.broke the limbs from many trees and destroyed
much of the plantings. Since there is a wall below the plantings ,
it is
dangerous for some of the small children to be playing there.
One of the more troubling uses of the park has been the celebration of birth-
days and other large gatherings by large numbers of people. We have found
that many of these groups are not local residents but come from other cities
of the Bay Area. We have learned that they come from Daly City, Foster City,
Redwood City and from as far away as Newark across th bay. When such large
groups come, they take up parking around the park and in front of residences
on Hunt Drive and on Alcazar. I have counted up to sixty cars that do not
belong to neighbors. They don't seem to take care of their cars and leave
grease spots that degrade the neighborhood. They are generallynoissuburban
and
often play loud music which is intrusive to what should be a quiet
neighborhood.
e inflatable structures for children to play
From time to time they bring larg
in. They require noisy generators to run the air pumps to keep them up.
-page 2-
Most weekends groups come in on both Saturday and Sunday which detracts
fr^m the residents' quiet weekends. When they leave for the day, which
%q�� a often turns out to be rather late, they generally leave a mess. Some
will leave up to six or more bags of garbage for the park department to haul
away. But more often than not, they also leave a lot scattered about the area.
Furthermore, the type of people who use the park facilities make us wonder if
some of the burglars who visit the area may come from some of these people, as
well as some of the graffiti artists who come by from time to time.
The drivers of the cars seem not to be too well acquainted with driving rules
or laws. One of the most flagrant practices is making a U-turn close to the
corners of Hunt and Alcazar. The law requires 200 feet of visibility in both
directions, which means that they would have to drive down Alcazar before
making a U-turn. Also, because Hunt Drive is downhill south of Alcazar,
U-turns at the intersection are unsafe, especially since residents from
Rivera or those motorists who use Hunt Drive to get to Trousdale exceed
the speed limit getting up the hill. Probabal the most flagrantspeed ers are
those who use the baseball park. Many of them�ome up Hunt and turn into
Alcazar with tires squealing. We dread the possibility that someday a toddler
will come out between cars and be struck, or that someone will be making a
U-turn at the time someone speeds around the corner. Quite often we note that
people park in the crosswals.
All these things point to the necessity that something be done to keep Cuerne-
vaca Park a local park for the use of Burlingame residents We have heard the
park referred to as a Regional Park. That's ridiculous considering that the
park is in a residential area and the care of the park is funded by the tax-
rers of Burlingame. It is time that the use of the park be limited to the
�ple paying for its upkeep. We also feel that the wishes of Mr. Eichler
who gave up land intended for more houses to put in a park should be followed.
The original design of a park -like setting with lawn, trees, pathways
and
benches would be a better alternative to what we now have.
`}-- j �trt-4 /.
November 12, 1996
Burlingame Police Department
Burlingame Park Commission
Rom. Janis Musante "Cuernavaca Park" letter.
Dear Burlingame Police Department and Park Commission,
We have been residents of Burlingame for the past twenty-two plus years, at the same address,
and "we" take exception with the comments stated by Ms. Musante.
In rebuttal to Ms. Musante's letter, we find NO problem with the usage of the park picnic area
during daylight hours. We find the groups using the park courteous and the current first come, first
serve policy is very fair. The number of participants has not been a problem.
The park participants parking has not been a regular problem. Most participants are very
courteous and park legally. The generator driven play structures do no harm and is safe recreation
for young children. Food being barbecued does not cause undue smoke, nor is the odor offensive.
Many of our neighbors occasionally barbecue in their backyards. Also, the picnic area is usually
left unlittered by participants and there is seldom any overflow of refuse. Further, the Park
employees check the park in the evening after each event and empty trash and clean the area.
There has been nothing left for the raccoons or ants, which do appear to be eternal pests in this
general area. Seldom have we noted leftover bottles, cans or any other debris, unless left after
daylight hours.
Ms. Musante never asked our opinions relating to her letter. But we can state that our visual
exposure to the covered picnic area, from our property, has a direct view and we have not been
aware of any recent disturbances.
IP& Police Department has been most responsive to neighborhood watch and to any phone call
requests to disburse teenagers who are having parties in the park after dark. We have developed a
nightly habit of "checking" the front of our home and neighbor area late in the evening.
As regards Ms. Musante's paragraph five, we have no idea what she is implying in her reference to
"social problems." This park was a negotiated "gift" from the builders of Mills Estates to the City of
Burlingame to be used by the residents of Burlingame.
Within the past few years, the biggest disturbance was this past July 4, 1996 at the Musante
home when the parents were not present. The Musante's son and his teenage friends caused quite
a disturbance including chinking, public urination, illegal fireworks and throwing firecrackers around
in fi-ont of their home at 1665 Hunt Drive. The Burlingame Police responded within minutes of
several neighbor's complaints.
Yours Truly,
e e t 16 - nt Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010-5809
aD. Cot rI
Carol,y 1 C. Co �11
ivrqsdn E. Cottrell
foffR INPUT Jff Cff R7 1HCA PRO'
1fffhil! kesday Nikht, Novewher IZih at 7-00 p-M.
IYf1hl�J' 16'6S ffUNT I�1�fD�' BURIJNGA�IIh'
IrWr
For the last few years, we have had increasing numbers of people using the picnic area
at Cuernavaca Park especially during the summer. These groups often exceed fifty
people. Use of the park is unregulated There have been confrontations between
people over use of the Park. At the present time, it is first -come -first -serve
Many times, we, the residents, find that we have no on street parking because of the
cars parked on Hunt Drive and Alcazar driven by picnickers. Generators are
sometimes used to inflate play structures which run all day. Barbecues are brought in
and the smoke and odor of food permeate the neighborhood and unfortunately, the
picnic area is often left overflowing with garbage and party left-overs attracting
raccoons, ants, etc.
Sometimes, cans and broken bottles and other debris litter the area as well as the
actual playground and adjacent grass areas.
Additionally, at night, the park is frequented by teenagers some of whom have
deliberately engaged in vandalism, and most of whom also leave cans and glass
littering the area. Some neighbors because of the vantage position of their homes have
observed drug abuse, sexual encounters and urination involving these youngsters.
Because of the overhang, cement walls and lack of lighting, the police, when they do
drive by, do not readily observe what is going on.
A combination of all of the above is impacting the neighborhood Luckily, our
gardeners are dedicated to their jobs and keep on top of clean-up, but the lack of
regulation is increasingly exposing our neighborhood to many of the social problems
currently plaguing the more urban areas.
The Director of the Rec and Park Department, John Williams, the Park Commission
and the Police Department are ready to respond to these on -going problems, but before
doing so want your input as to how best to respond Mr. Williams has asked that the
neighbors meet with hint, members of the Park Commission and a representative front
the Police Department on Tuesday, November 121h. PLEASE COME.
IT IS YOUR HOME, YOUR PARK, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOUR
INVESTMENT.
2
3
4
5
9
} i l 'SLimFiv I 1t c
TEEN PROGRAM INTEREST SURVEY
OCTOBER 1996
Participation
in
Burl. Rec. ro
rams each
eal
Times
L
Times
N.Q.
Tim es
Times
Ng.
Times NO-
Times
NQ..
Times
0
Nl L
110
0
L
89
0
1
0
381
0
178
0 60
0
3
1
1
1
0
1
27
1
19
1 24
1
1
1
6
2
2
1
2
0
2
18
2
11
2 18
2
4
2
3
3
2
3
0
3
14
3
6
3 9
1
3
4
3
1
3
4
0
4
2
4
0
4
6
4
5
3
2
4
5 3
5
0
5
1
5
2
5
0
5
5
Blank
3
1 Blank 2
Blank
1
Blank
31
Blank
0
Blank
0
1 Blank
35
PYesci aiion
otheYes pro
v197y
v
Yes 0
Yes 306
45in
9oamsYes
8rra'CYes
Yes 56
1
No 145
No 65
No 21
No 2
No 53
3
No 24
No ans. 17
No
No ans. 0
No ans 3 5
No ans. 1 2
No ans. 6
No ans. 3
No ans.
a. 0.A-1
Sports teams = 8 responses; cnurcn = z; uny aullual, = ,, , �.", r - --
Everyday = 8; 3 per week = 4; 2 per week = 2; 1 per week = 2; 2 per month = 1
Should there be more ern he. is on teen ro rams in Burlin ame?
Yes 119 Yes 104 Yes 12 Yes 96 Yes 56 Yes
No 84 No 3 No 0 No 45 No 22 No
No ans. 19 No ans. 10 No ans. 1 No ans. 12 No ans. 19 No ar
1
Yes
284
0
No
I
151
0
No ans
51
Interested in
artici atin otter
scnooi. ou
3 5
Yes 0
Yes 2227
Yes 1 0 8
Yes 88
Yes 10
Yes 74
Yes
1
No 212
No 87
No 24
No 2
No 74
5
No 48
No ans. 1 4
No
No ans. 0
No ans 4 7
No ans. 2 7
No ans. 5
No ans. 1
No ans.
Hanging out = 14; Sports = to; Glasses = o; music = o, ra, uva = •, •��- - •
Interested in
sted01
arYes atin87 n
wYesenas9 au
Yes 0
Yes
Yes1V1„84
Yes 41
1
]35
No
No 92
No 25
No 2
No 63
No 40
No
No ans. 2 9
No ans. 5
No ans. 2
No ans.6
No ans. 1 6
No ans. 0
Noans
n. nlh�
_ 1nancoe - 1
Parties = 14; Sports = 13; Trips = s; Hanging oul--
Interested in participating
du
ing summer or
..1.11•
3 8
Yes 1
Yes 1 8 4
Yes 91
Yes 1 1
Yes 4 7
Yes
No 0
No 257
=oans2o
No 23
No 1
No 95
1 1
No 46
No ans. 1 3
No ans. 0
No ans 4 5
No ans. 3
No ans. 1
No ans.
Sports = 17, Trips = 6,, Hanging out = 5; uances = a; vatic- = - - -•
youth Groups = 1; Performances = 1; Camp Trips = 1
Willin to a fee.
Yes 92 Yes 1 0 2 Yes 9 Yes 4 6 Yes 2 8 Yes 0 Yes 17 5
No 117 No 12 No 1 No 81 No 41 No 1 No 241
No ans. 13 No ans. 3 No ans. 3 No ans. 26 No ans. 28 No ans. 0 No ans 70
Several cities could not, or did not, provide any breakdown on facility operation costs --maintenance, utilities, etc.-- and other resources. Other resources were split for comparison.
Belmont, Burlingame, Millbrae, Palo Alto & South SF intermediate school sports not included. Inter. school sports program costs are somewhat fee supported.
TEEN PROGRAM INTEREST SURVEY
OCTOBER 1996
,�— I BHS I BHS - Parent I EMS I Mercy, 9-10 1 Mercy, 11-12 1 Mercy -Parent I Totals
1 . Participation in Burl. Rec. programs each vear
Times
Ng,
Times
NQ,
Times
NQ,
Times
NP.
Times
No.
TjmeS
NQ,
Tim
0
178
0
60
0
3
0
110
0
89
0
1
0
381
1
19
1
24
1
1
1
6
1
1
1
0
1
27
2
1 1
2
18
2
4
2
2
2
1
2
0
2
18
3
6
3
9
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
0
3
14
4
3
4
1
4
1
4
0
4
2
4
0
4
6
5
2
5
3
5
0
5
1
5
2
5
0
5
5
Blank
3
Blank
2
Blank
1
Blank
31
1 Blank
0
Blank
0
Blank
35
2. Participation in other programs (e.g. Sports teams, Church groups)
Yes
14 5
Yes
9 0
Yes
8
Yes
9 7
Yes
5 6
Yes
0
Yes
306
No
65
No
21
No
2
No
53
No
24
No
1
No
145
No ans.
12
No ans.
6
No ans.
3
No ans.
3
No ans.
17
No ans.
0
No ans
3 5
Sports teams = 8 responses; Church = 2; City Softball = 1; Youth Group = 1; School Club = 1
Everyday = 8; 3 per week = 4; 2 per week = 2, 1 per week = 2, 2 per month = 1
3. Should there be more emphasis on teen programs in Burlingame?
Yes
11 9
Yes
104
Yes
12
Yes
96
Yes
5 6
Yes
1
Yes
284
No
84
No
3
No
0
No
45
No
22
No
0
No
151
No ans.
1 9
No ans.
10
No an,,
1
No ans.
12
No ans.
1 9
No ans.
0
No ans
51
4. Interested in participating after school. Suggestions.
Yes
108
Yes
88
Yes
10
Yes
74
Yes
35
Yes
0
Yes
227
No
87
No
24
No
2
No
74
No
48
No
1
No
212
No ans.
2 7
No ans.
5
No ans.
1
No ans.
5
No ans.
14
No ans.
0
No ans
4 7
Hanging out = 14; Sports = 10; Classes = 6, Music = 5; Parties = 1; Clubs = 1; Dances = 1
5. Interested in participating on weekends. Suggestions.
Yes
101
Yes
87
Yes
9
Yes
84
Yes
41
Yes
0
Yes
235
No
92
No
25
No
2
No
63
No
40
No
1
No
198
No ans.
2 9
No ans.
5
No ans.
2
No ans.
6
No ans.
16
No ans.
0
No ans
5 3
Parties = 14; Sports = 13; Trips = 9, Hanging out = 4; Classes = 3; Music = 2, Clubs = 1; Dances = 1
6. Interested in participating during summer break. Suggestions.
Yes
87
Yes
91
Yes
1 1
Yes
4 7
Yes
3 8
Yes
1
Yes
1114
No
115
No
23
No
1
No
95
No
46
No
0
No
257
No ans.
20
No ans.
3
No ans.
1
No ans.
1 1
No ans.
13
No ans.
0
No ans
4 5
Sports = 17, Trips = 6, Hanging out = 5; Dances = 5; Parties = 4; Outdoor Ed = 2; Classes = 3;
Youth Groups = 1; Performances = 1; Camp Trips = 1
7. Willina to nav fee_
Yes 92 Yes 1 0 2 Yes 9 Yes 46 Yes 28 Yes 0 Yes 175
No 117 No 12 No 1 No 81 No 41 No 1 No 241
No ans. 13 No ans. 3 No ans. 3 No ans. 26 No ans. 2 8 No ans. 0 No ans 70
SUMMARY OF SM COUNTY TEEN PROGRAMS
(Not Includiniz Intermediate School Snorts)
Page 1
November 20, 1996
Personnel
FT Salfbenefits $ 2,000 $ 30,000 $ 45,000 $ 45690 $ 21,000 $ 79,150 $ 3,000 $ 21,650 $ 41,700 $ 27,570 $ 1,500
PT Salfbenefits 37,620 201000 15,000 7,320 17,500 525250 4,000 -0- 31,300 205560 4,000
Total Personnel 11$39,620 1 $ 50,000 1 $ 38,500 1 $ 12,010 1 $ 38,500 1 $1319400 1 $ 75000 1 $ 21,650 1 $ 73,000 $ 48,130 $ 5,500
Oth Resources
Matl/Supplies
35400
151000
109000
5,570
129075
6,100
11000
-0-
23,000
87460
200
Facilities
-0-
-0-
-0-
-0-
500
11800
-0-
-0-
MAO
33150
-0-
Contract Services
2,500
15,000
105000
65500
79000
19600
-0-
-0-
53,500
109680
-0-
Total Other
I $ 5,900
1 $ 30,000
1 $ 20,000
1 $ 12,070
1 $ 19,575
1 $ 9,500
1 $ 1,000
1 $ -0-
1 $102,500
1$88,040
$ 200
Total Teens
$ 45,520 1 $ 80,000 1 $ 80,000 1 $ 24,080 1 $ 58,075 1 $140,900 1 $ 81000 1 $ 21,650 1 $175,500 1 $ 1 $ 5,700
Teen Center or Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes 6 = yes No
Wing? 3 = no
Staff Youth Yes Yes Yes Yes, + Yes Yes No, On Yes Yes 8 =Youth No,
Commission? On P&R I P&R 2 =On P&R I on P&R
Several cities could not, or did not, provide any breakdown on facility operation costs --maintenance, utilities,
etc.--
and other
resources. Other resources were split for comparison.
Belmont, Burlingame, Millbrae,
Palo
Alto
& South
SF intermediate
school
sports not included.
Inter. school
sports
program
costs are somewhat fee supported.
L
CITY CITY OF I3URLINGAME
I l PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMEWF
LINGAME
MEMORANDUM
STAFF REPORT
November 19, 1996
TO: Parks & Recreation Commission
FROM: John Williams, Parks & Recreation Director 'L
SUBJECT: Cuernavaca Park Issues
Back rground. As Commissioners will recall, two Cuernavaca Park neighbors attended your
August Commission meeting and discussed several concerns about use and misuse of the park. It
is my understanding that this was the first time these concerns had been brought to the
Commission in recent memory. I had been having some discussions with neighbor Janis Musante
about the weekend group users who were overwhelming the park, but no one had really brought
all of the other issues to my attention.
After your August meeting I discussed Cuernavaca concerns with the Police Chief and the Police
Patrol Commander. They indicated they would make the park an emphasis with their patrol
officers. I also met with our Parks Division staff and asked them to report any unusual activity or
problems created by user groups.
On November 12, a meeting was conducted with park neighbors in Mrs. Musante's home on
Hunt Drive. My report from that meeting is attached. I believe it was a helpful and productive
meeting. I learned some things from the meeting as, hopefully, everyone else in attendance did.
Discussion.
As we have discussed, Cuernavaca is sort of a mixed -breed park. It is not a local mini -park. It is
not truly a neighborhood park because it has the ballfield that is a citywide facility and a half -
operable group picnic area. It is not a community park, even with the ballfield, because it does
not have the wide range of activities, flat play space, tennis courts, group picnic facilities, etc. that
are typically found in a community park, such as Washington Park.
It should also be noted that, in spite of the very real concerns expressed by the neighbors,
Cuernavaca Park does NOT suffer from more litter, graffiti and abuse than any other park in the
community. Even though our collective tolerance for park problems should be zero, reality says
that Cuernavaca is really no better or no worse off than other City parks in this regard.
Don Roberts conducted a vote at the neighborhood meeting and the neighbors were unanimous in
supporting four actions:
■ The shade structure and group picnic area should be removed.
■ More floodlights should be installed in the park.
■ Some existing basketball backstops should be removed and the court made into a half -
court facility only.
■ The City should install one or more "pooper scooper" dispensing stations in the park.
City staff has taken the following steps re Cuernavaca:
■ A work order has been sent to Public Works asking that the parking lot floodlight be
repaired and turned back on.
■ Parks staff is ordering plastic "pooper eco scoops" and will construct a small dispensing
stand at the park to see if this helps the dog excrement problem.
■ I have contacted a landscape architect who is interested in working on a removal - rehab
project in the area of the shade structure.
■ I am researching what other cities have done to strengthen their City Codes and make
police enforcement possible when park users create a nuisance. I will meet with the new
City Attorney after January I to draft some possible changes for the 1997 season.
■ Sgt. Ransom has indicated he will put out the word on the evening watch for the police
officers to be alert in the Cuernavaca Park neighborhood and will encourage officers to be
more thorough in their surveillance of the park shrubbery and other hiding places.
Recommendation. I recommend that the Commission concur with the steps proposed and taken
above and that you propose that a landscape architect be hired to draft some alternative removal
and development schemes for the shade structure and group picnic area that can be considered
with the 1997-98 capital improvement project budget.
Attachment: Memo re November 12, 1996 meeting
cc: Fred Parker, Police Chief
Tim Richmond, Parks Superintendent
(_m 1iz_l
VRLINGAM
November 18, 1996
CITY 0IF BURLINGAN114"
PARKS1ZI:CIZI:A'1'1ON I)LI'AlZ'1'1VIIN'1'
MEMORANDUM
TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: Parks & Recreation Director
SUBJECT: Meeting With Cuernavaca Park Neighbors - 11/12/96
On the evening of November 12, several City staff members and Commission Chair Don Roberts
met with 13 park neighbors in the home of Janis Musante, 1665 Hunt Drive to discuss issues
about the use of Cuernavaca park, park cleanup, after hours police problems and possible future
steps to make the park a better neighbor. A meeting attendance list is attached and two letters
from park neighbors that were presented on November 12 are also attached.
Each of the park neighbors had the opportunity to present their concerns to the group.
■ Night time -problem , The parking lots area is very dark. Kids and young adults hang-out
in the shade structure and in park shrubbery. Police have not been getting out of their cars,
so kids come out of hiding as soon as Police patrols leave. Empty alcohol bottles and cans
are regularly found in the shade structure and shrubbery. Used condoms are regularly
found in these areas. The shade structure is presently in need of repair and the parking lot
floodlight is currently not working. It was stated that the Police did not respond to calls in
the area and that Police Dispatchers were sometimes rude to callers. It was also noted
that the Police cannot cite persons if there are not appropriate City Codes Sections in
place banning specific behavior.
■ Lame weekend croup parties. The area is plagued with large out-of-town groups who
show up in the park every weekend during spring, summer and fall when the weather is
clear. Typically, the groups appear during the night or in the early morning to "stake -out"
the picnic tables. There have been several confrontations between these groups or between
the groups and the neighbors. The previous weekend there was a rubber air supported
jumping structure, with generator, in use all day. All parking in the area of the park is
often used up by these group users. Many of these group park users park illegally and
block driveways. Some young men have been observed throwing things at neighbors' cars
and homes.
Discussions with user groups have shown that most of these users are from out of town.
Conversations with weekend group users have confirmed that many persons are residents
of areas from Pacifica to Hayward. Some of the user groups have intimidated or
frightened neighbors. Neighbors feel that some criminal types have been "casing" the
neighborhood for future criminal activity. Hot coals from portable barbecues are
sometimes dumped by users. Some neighbors noted that most park users are polite and are
not a threat to the neighborhood. Some groups cleanup after themselves, some do not.
Park Maintenance Worker David Ferenc stated that litter and trash were often excessive in
the park after weekend activities.
■ Dogs in the park. Residents stated that the park is heavily used by dog owners to walk
their pets. It was noted that most persons do cleanup after their dogs, but that some do
not. There have been incidents of large dogs attacking small dogs.
■ View concerns. Neighbors complained that the shade structure was built higher than was
promised by a City representative and is in violation of the CC&R's for the neighborhood.
Some felt that the row of Eucalyptus trees around the athletic field was a fire hazard, was
a leaf and debris generator, and were not being routinely maintained by the City. It was
also stated that the Eucalyptus trees are important for people using the athletic field. One
resident stated that the park should have more trees.
■ Athletic field users. It was stated that athletic field users often left the field, dugout,
restroom and bleacher areas strewn with litter. User groups should be made accountable
N% . for cleanup.
■ Playground area. It was noted that big kids sometimes dominate the playground
equipment. Some parents are reluctant to take small children to the playground area
because older teens and adults in the shade structure and on the basketball court use
profane language.
■ Out of area basketball users. It was stated that groups of older boys and men regularly
drive to the park to use the basketball court for full court games. There is often heavy
beer drinking at these games, much loud profanity and others are kept off the court
because of the full court game.
■ Graffiti. Graffiti shows up in the park regularly.
City staff members and Park & Recreation Commission Chairman Don Roberts addressed many
of the issues that had been raised:
The Burlingame Police Department Watch Commander for the late afternoon and evening hours
is Sgt. Bob Ransom. He stated that the P.D. is concerned about the Cuernavaca Park area. Sgt.
Ransom noted that there have only been three calls from the Cuernavaca neighborhood in the time
period August, 1996 to the present. Three calls are not heavy traffic for any neighborhood. He
described the Police staffing levels and noted that at times there are only four or five officers on
patrol for the entire City.
Sgt. Ransom stated that he would work with his shift of patrol officers, encouraging them to get
out of their cars and to be more thorough in their inspections of the park. He noted that a recent
occurrence of burglaries in the area was unrelated to the park, but was common to several
neighborhoods along the I-280 corridor. He noted that graffiti within the City of Burlingame is
checked from time to time, but that graffiti appearing in Cuernavaca Park has not been
particularly gang related in the past.
Sgt. Ransom encouraged neighbors to please call the Police whenever they observed ANY
suspicious behavior. Two neighbors stated that they would never call the Police.
Commission Chairman Don Roberts described how City Commissions operate and stated that the
Commission was concerned about the Cuernavaca Park problems that had been brought to the
Commission in August. He noted that this meeting was a first step in addressing the problems
being discussed. He indicated that during his years on the Commission, no neighbors have
reported any problems to the Commission or asked for relief from any of the issues being
discussed this evening. He indicated that Cuernavaca Park concerns would remain a priority with
the Commission in the future and he invited any interested neighbors to attend future meetings of
the Commission.
Parks & Recreation Director John Williams reviewed the steps that City staff have taken since this
matter first came to the Commission's attention in August. He stated that although he and Mrs.
Musante had discussed the weekend group problem at length on several occasions, he had only
been made aware of many of the other issues brought forward within the past three months. He
noted that Cuernavaca is a park that is only a "semi -neighborhood park," since the athletic field is
a vital part of the city-wide park system. The picnic area also needs to be reviewed since it is now
NOT a viable group picnic area and should, probably, either be improved or removed.
Williams said he would have the Parks Division install "Pooper Scooper" dispenser stations in
the park as a test to see if that would help the dog excrement problem. He stated that if this
group and the Commission agrees to study options for removing or remodeling the park shade
structure, he would work with a landscape architect to review remodel options that could be
brought back for neighborhood review. Williams will review options with the Recreation
Division staff, the Police and the City Attorney and determine if there are some specific steps y
that can be taken to prohibit certain activities in the park. N r
Parks Supervisor Bob Disco stated that he would request of the Public Works Department that
the parking lot floodlight be put back into service.
Group vote on possible actions. Chairman Roberts asked for a vote on four specific issues that
had come up to the group. The neighbors present unanimously voted to support the
following four actions:
■ The shade structure and group picnic area should be removed
0 More floodlights should be installed in the park.
�Y
6)� _qC)
l77^ 0 .
■ Some existing basketball backstops should be removed and the court made into a half -
court basketball facility only.
■ The City should install one or more "pooper scooper" dispensing stations in the park. NE
DO
Attachments:
1. List of neighbors attending meeting
2. Letter from Mrs. R. Tuccori
3. Letter from John & Marie Rolih
i
`.
Attachment 1
CUERNAVACA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ROSTER 11/12/96
Neighbors
Rosadetta Alberts, 1675 Hunt Drive--697-0231
John Batz, 3072 Alcazar Drive--697-2877
Sylvia Bearman, 3064 Alcazar Drive--697-2991
Leon & Claire DelGrande, 1625 Hunt Drive--692-0657
Richard DeMartini, 1605 Hunt Drive--692-1140
Gabriel J. Hyppolite, 3072 Alcazar Drive--697-2877
Carole Marcelett, 1655 Hunt Drive--692-1611
Anne C. MacFarlane, 3040 Alcazar Drive--697-4480
Marie Elsa MacPherson, 1701 Hunt Drive--692-3595
Janis Musante, 1665 Hunt Drive--697-3362
Peggy Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar Drive--697-2897
Frank Suzuya, 3080 AlcazarDrive--697-0231
Park & Recreation Commission Chair present
Don Roberts, 1381 De Soto--342-6804
OR
City staff present
John W. Williams, Parks & Recreation Director
Bob Disco, Parks Supervisor
David Ferenc, Park Maintenance Worker
Sgt. Bob Ransom, Burlingame Police Department
M
Attachment 2
MY INPUT RE: CUERNAVACA PARK
To Whom It May Concern:
As a resident of this area for over 15 years Cuernavaca Park has always been a delightful place to
relax in. Take in the view, take some really beautiful pictures of the scenic vistas and use as a play place
for my grandchildren.
It is sad indeed to see the changes which have taken place over the past several years. Almost
every weekend someone has taken over the gazebo area and strung crape paper and party paraphanalia.
While I can walk to the park, so parking isn't my particular problem, the streets are full of cars parked end to
end. I can no longer sit in the park and watch the little ones on the slides and swings with their parents
because it seems as though lately it always parry time, and there is no where to sit, and anyone with any
dignity would not dare to intrude in the gazebo where party cloths are set on every table to indicate the
area is taken. Moreover when they leave the area many times they do not remove the decorations and the
trash cans are overflowing with debris, and what doesn't fit in the cans is frequently left in the area
or on the tables for someone else to clean up.
I am sure that this mess adds to the animals which inhabit this area, especially the maurading
raccoons which regularly upend garbage cans in the area. I sincerely feel sorry for the parents in the area
who bring their little ones there during the weekdays, with broken glass strewn all over the concrete area
and on the lawns and in the sand area.
Cuernavaca Park has always been somewhat of a lovers lane and a beer drinking place on Friday
and Saturday nights, but on the Fourth of July the park was full of youngsters, there were Firecrackers
going off, Fire works, including the rocket types which shoot high in the air, and while we were outside we
saw two police cars drive by, but en one stopped, or got out of the car, and no one stopped the
youngsters from using the illegal fireworks or firecrackers.
In the past the park was always used by residents, and suddenly I see that we are having Little
League Baseball games. Soccer practice sessions. Golfers galore, and if your's interested I have the golf
balls to prove it. They are frequently in my yard, on my front lawn, in the gutters in front of the house, or in
my pool.
Lately, I've noticed that almost everyday now there are several groups of teenages, perhaps
even some older, they play at basketball or just hang out, lounging all over their cars in front of the
basketball courts, so many infact that my mother will no longer walk around in this area alone because
she is uncomfortable with the undesireable looking individuals which now hang around here. The same is
true when my granddaughter visits, I cannot let her go to the park alone, and I am uncomfortable there
unless my husband is with me.
It is obvious that some kind of controls are need to stop the traffic impacting the area on
weekends, and weekday afternoons, also Friday and Saturday nights they park side by side in the middle
of Hunt Drive talking to each other and prevent traffic from passing by.
Perhaps the gazebo should be removed or fenced off and rented out through the Recreation
Department and only to people living in the Mills Estate area. The basket ball court is definitely attracting
the wrong type of element to a quiet residential area. And the number of robberies which have taken
place recently seem to indemnify the fact that the park is providing a hiding place to untrustworty types
to come into the area and peruse the homes and lifestyles of an affluent community, as well as watch the
comings and goings of a particular house before breaking in. It certainly provides a great cover for
someone to see which houses have alarm systems, which do not. Where and who is gone all day and
who is home all day.
Moreover I feel that the park should be used as a residential area park, not equipped with facilities
which attract outsiders. I don't know what the total answer is, but I do know that the residents of Hunt
Drive which face the park tolerate a great deal of traffic, noise, and nuscience. Since the building of
1610 Hunt Drive I have been protected from a great deal of the problems, but I still get golf balls on
occasion and I still get an occasional baseball in my yard on bounced off my overhang. So the problem
does go beyond Hunt Drive.
Also may times on Friday nights, there are cars racing around the corner of Hunt and Rivera
on two wheels. We have had our planting area tom up several times by cars who lose control on the
turn, and it is truly a miracle that someone hasn't hit the wall as yet.
I sincerely hope that this meeting will result in some kind of change which will make Cuernavaca
Park less attractive to people not living in the area. I sincerely feel that the removal of all facilities, and
just leaving the area in lawn, and the childrens playground would immediately discourage the
undesireable element which is hanging around there now, because there will be nothing to do and
nowhere to hide. I also feel that perhaps it needs to be policed better both by the Police Department and
the Park and Recreation Department
/Sincerely,
Tuccori
Attachment 3
To: Burlingame Park Commission
Burlingame Police Department
'rom: John and Marie Rolih, 1700 Hunt Drive, Burlingame
We have been residents at this address since December of 1964. We purchased
our home with the hope that Mills Estates would become another Hillsborough.
Our home was the first built on this block of Hunt Drive. The other lots on
Hunt from Rivera to Atwater were graded as well as down Alcazar, except for
the area across Alcazar which, we were informed, had been set aside by the
Eichler organization for a city park at the behest of then Councilman Dave
Martin. Eventually it was graded and a lawn was planted. The lower portion
was made into a baseball park.
Sometime in the mid -seventies, as we recall, we were informed that the park
would be completed and we were shown a sketch of the proposed design. That
plan was not implemented and, instead, the current gazebo was built which
was followed by the kiddies' playground and then the baketball court, none
of which were included in the design shown us.
The gazebo included a light which automatically turned on at dusk and off at
dawn. The teenagers didn't like it and broke the light. The light was
replaced and, again, the kids broke it. The city gave up and it has been
without the light ever since. Under those conditions, the gazebo has been
used for all sorts of activities at night. These include consumption of
beer and stronger beverages, practice of illicit sex on the tables and
using the gazebo area as a restroom. Some of the young men even used the
area ouside the gazebo (perhaps there were girls present) and could be seen
by pesaersby on the sidewalk, apparently without shame. Some parked their
ars, particularly where the street lights didn't reach, and the next day
ewe saw evidence of what they had been up to on the street or in our shrubbery.
We found it necessary at times to call the police and at other times the
police would patrol the area and find teenagers using the park after h ours.
As time wore on, teenagers who lived in the area grew up and moved away; so
thereafter we knew that the people who came with small children to use the
playground were not neighbors. Our main concern over the years has been that
too many of the parents neglected watching the children and instead chatted
with other mothers. In the meantime, the children wandered off to play in
the bushes below the playground. One can see the trails they have worn into
the ground there. They often broke the limbs from many trees and destroyed
much of the plantings. Since there is a wall below the plantings , it is
dangerous for some of the small children to be playing there.
One of the more troubling uses of the park has been the celebration of birth-
days and other large gatherings by large numbers of people. We have found
that many of these groups are not local residents but come from other cities
of the Bay Area. We have learned that they come from Daly City, Foster City,
Redwood City and from as far away as Newark across th bay. When such large
groups come, they take up parking around the park and in front of residences
on Hunt Drive and on Alcazar. I have counted up to sixty cars that do not
belong to neighbors. They don't seem to take care of their cars and leave
grease spots that degrade the neighborhood. They are generally noisy and
often play loud music which is intrusive to what should be a quiet suburban
neighborhood.
From time to time they bring large inflatable structures for children to play
in. They require noisy generators to run the air pumps to keep them up.
-page [-
Most weekends groups come in on both Saturday and Sunday which detracts
from the residents' quiet weekends. When they leave for the day, which
suite often turns out to be rather late, they generally leave a mess. Some
1caill leave up to six or more bags of garbage for the park department to haul
away. But more often than not, they also leave a lot scattered about the area.
Furthermore, the type of people who use the park facilities make us wonder if
some of the burglars who visit the area may come from some of these people, as
well as some of the graffiti artists who come by from time to time.
The drivers of the cars seem not to be too well acquainted with driving rules
or laws. One of the most flagrant practices is making a U-turn close to the
cornere of Hunt and Alcazar. The law requires 200 feet of visibility in both
directions, which means that they would have to drive down Alcazar before
making a U-turn. Also, because Hunt Drive is downhill south of Alcazar,
U-turns at the intersection are unsafe, especially since residents from
Rivera or those motorists who use Hunt Drive to get to Trousdale exceed
the speed limit getting up the hill. Probabaly the most flagrantspeed ers are
those who use the baseball park. Many of thempome up Hunt and turn into
Alcazar with tires squealing. We dread the possibility that someday a toddler
will come out between cars and be struck, or that someone will be making a
U-turn at the time someone speeds around the corner. Quite often we note that
people park in the crosswals.
All these things point to the necessity that something be done to keep Cuerne-
vaca Park a local park for the use of Burlingame residents We have heard the
park referred to as a Regional Park. That's ridiculous considering that the
park is in a residential area and the care of the park is funded by the tax-
payers of Burlingame. It is time that the use of the park be limited to the
>eople paying for its upkeep. We also feel that the wishes of Mr. Eichler
who gave up land intended for more houses to put in a park should be followed.
The original design of a park -like setting with lawn, trees, pathways and
benches would be a better alternative to what we now have.
November 12, 1996
Burlingame Police Department
Burlingame Park Commission
�. Janis Musante "Cuernavaca Park" letter.
Dear Burlingame Police Department and Park Commission,
We have been residents Of Burlingame for the past twenty-two plus years, at the same address,
and "we" take exception with the comments stated by Ms. Musante.
In rebuttal to Ms. Musante's letter, we find NO problem with the usage of the park picnic area
during daylight hours. We find the groups using the park courteous and the current first come, first
serve policy is very fair. The number of participants has not been a problem.
The park participants parking has not been a regular problem. Most participants are very
courteous and park legally. The generator driven play structures do no harm and is safe recreation
for young children. Food being barbecued does not cause undue smoke, nor is the odor offensive.
Many of our neighbors occasionally barbecue in their backyards. Also, the picnic area is usually
left unlittered by participants and there is seldom any overflow of refuse. Further, the Park
employees check the park in the evening after each event and empty trash and clean the area.
There has been nothing left for the raccoons or ants, which do appear to be eternal pests in this
general area. Seldom have we noted leftover bottles, cans or any other debris, unless left after
daylight hours.
Ms. Musante never asked our opinions relating to her letter. But we can state that our visual
exposure to the covered picnic area, from our property, has a direct view and we have not been
aware of any recent disturbances.
one Police Department has been most responsive to neighborhood watch and to any phone call
requests to disburse teenagers who are having parties in the park after dark. We have developed a
nightly habit of "checking" the front of our home and neighbor area late in the evening.
As regards Ms. Musante's paragraph five, we have no idea what she is implying in her reference to
"social problems." This park was a negotiated "gift" from the builders of Mills Estates to the City of
Burlingame to be used by the residents of Burlingame.
Within the past few years, the biggest disturbance was this past July 4, 1996 at the Musante
home when the parents were not present. The Musante's son and his teenage friends caused quite
a disturbance including drinking, public urination, illegal fireworks and throwing firecrackers around
in front of their home at 1665 Hunt Drive. The Burlingame Police responded within minutes of
several neighbor's complaints.
Yours Truly,
e-Z ent"t 16; ; nt Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010-5809
ih DL.,JCo tr`el
Carol yn'C. CO Qll
7stin E. Cottrell
TON21j1VPUT)F CUI TIV.411.40 P,4B!r
MIT Tuesday Nikh1, Novemf er 121h at 7-00 p.m.
IY11A 166S AUNT DR1DJ; .96MI GA,l1R
Mr.
For the last few years, we have had increasing numbers of people using the picnic area
at Cuernavaca Park especially during the summer. These groups often exceed fifty
people. Use of the park is unregulated There have been confrontations between
people over use of the Park. At the present time, it is first -come -first -serve.
Many times, we, the residents, find that we have no on street parking because of the
cars parked on Hunt Drive and Alcazar driven by picnickers. Generators .are
sometimes used to inflate play structures which run all day. Barbecues are brought in
and the smoke and odor of food permeate the neighborhood and unfortunately, the
picnic area is often left overflowing with garbage and party left-overs attracting
raccoons, ants, etc.
Sometimes, cans and broken bottles and other debris litter the area as well as the
actual playground and adjacent grass areas.
Additionally, at night, the park is frequented by teenagers some of whom have
deliberately engaged in vandalism, and most of whom also leave cans and glass
littering the area. Some neighbors because of the vantage position of their homes have
observed drug abuse, sexual encounters and urination involving these youngsters.
Because of the overhang, cement walls and lack of lighting, the police, when they do
drive by, do not readily observe what is going on.
A combination of all of the above is impacting the neighborhood Luckily, our
gardeners are dedicated to their jobs and keep on top of clean-up, but the lack of
regulation is increasingly exposing our neighborhood to many of the social problems
currently plaguing the more urban areas.
The Director of the Rec and Park Department, John Williams, the Park Commission
and the Police Department are ready to respond to these on -going problems, but before
doing so want your input as to how best to respond Mr. Williams has asked that the
neighbors meet with him, members of the Park Commission and a representative from:
the Police Department on Tuesday, November 12th. PLEASE COME.
IT IS YOUR HOME, YOUR PARK, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOUR
INVESTMENT.
`..
OR
CITY o CITY OF BURLINGAME
BURL,„ --GAME PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
r
:0 MEMORANDUM
D
'��D11I1T[D
November 13, 1996
TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: Parks & Recreation Director
i'
SUBJECT: Status Report on Franklin Field Tui Problems
As you are aware, the turf at Franklin School field has been a problem since the field was opened in
1995. In 1995 and 1996 the field looked good and was in excellent shape in the spring and early
summer. In both years the field turned sour in August and then, after heavy fall soccer and BIS use, has
been in poor shape during the fall.
The project architects were NOT given a large budget and neither the irrigation nor the drainage were
designed to provide a major league field. Problems occurred when SF Water changed the water mains
down Trousdale just as the project began and changes had to made on the fly. Additionally, our Parks
staff requested a sprinkler head that turned -out to be a bad one and has subsequently been taken off the
market. To further complicate the equation, this field receives the heaviest year-round use of any non -
high school field in Burlingame.
I originally placed the blame for many of our maintenance problems on the maintenance contractor.
During the first year, we may have gotten a minimal effort from the contractor and there was some
confusion about what work we were willing and ready to pay for. After several recent meetings with the
contractor, I am now convinced that the contractor is alert to our problems and has been trying all sorts
of fixes that have not all paid off yet.
Until recently, I believed that the irrigation system was the only problem. I now believe that there is a
drainage problem related to the extremely wet spots on the field. (6 last week) I had thought the wet
spots were a result of over watering or poor sprinkler design. Callendar Associates has agreed to map
the wet spots and investigate whether there are line leaks or other unexpected causes.
We have taken the following actions:
■ Fall, 1995. A new drainage line was installed at the north end to drain the area behind first base.
Some sprinkler heads were relocated. The field was reseeded during Thanksgiving break and
looked good in Spring, 1996. We thought our problems were over.
■ August, 1996. When some brown spots showed -up, we instructed the contractor to increase the
amount of water placed on the field. Wet spots then showed -up. Heavy fall play over the brown
spots and the wet spots weakend the turf.
■ Fall 1996. The project architects have not abandoned us. They have invested hundreds of
dollars worth of staff time in trying to assist us on this problem. During the past two months, the
architects and the maintenance contractor have been meeting. They have jointly designed a
sprinkler relocation plan which should solve the irrigation problem.
The plan includes getting free replacement heads for the 39 inefficient sprinkler heads now in the
ground; relocating virtually all heads to get more uniform coverage; and installing a separate
new sprinkler line to give the maintenance contractor more flexibility in the water schedule.
These changes can be made for $5,000 and the City Manager has approved funding for this
project.
The plan for the next few months is:
■ Now. Callendar Associates is preparing a map of the wet areas so we can check vs. field
construction plans and winter storms. We will have more discussion about drainage with the
architects, maintenance contractors and the School District during the next few months.
■ Thanksgiving Vacation, 1996. The field will be top seeded by the maintenance contractor.
Given the time of year and the Mercy Hi use of the field this winter, the recovery will probably
not be exceptional.
■ Winter, 1996-97, City Park Supervisor Bob Disco will check the field on a daily basis during
and after periods of inclement weather so that he can give Mercy Hi the go/go-no signal for their
practice and games.
■ February, 1997. After Mercy Hi has completed the soccer season, the maintenance contractor
will come in and do the irrigation system changes. It is too wet to work now and the irrigation
system is turned off for the winter. The trenching work will heal much more quickly in the
spring.
We will be proceeding with the four steps shown above. Our irrigation system problems should be
solved with this new work. The drainage solutions remain unclear. I am also following -up on the City
Manager's direction to do cost estimates for City staff maintaining both the Franklin and BIS fields.
Tim Richmond and I continue to recommend that Franklin Field be closed every winter in the future to
organized play of any type between the end of the AYSO soccer season in November and the March
start of baseball and softball play. Franklin Field needs a healing period like all of our City fields.
CC: Dennis Argyres, City Manager
Bob Peterson, School District
Peter Wickman, AYSO
Cheryl Nash, Mercy High School
Tom Glowski, Environmental Care
Peter Callendar, Callendar Associates
Tim Richmond, Parks Superintendent
Randy Schwartz, Recreation Superintendent
BURLINGAME PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Collection Report
Oct-96
1996-1997 1995-1996 1994-1995
COLL. YTD COLL. YTD COLL. YTD
Key
Pr r m
OCTOBER
4
MONTHS
4 MONTHS
4 MONTHS)
00
Rec. Admin.
$4.00
$73.00
$0.00
$0.00
10
Advertising
455.00
870.00
767.00
716.00
12
Tickets/Books
2,689.40
30,981.80
17,496.86
5,422.55
13
Bldg. Rental
1,895.50
9,683.61
10,110.50
5,598.50
14
Miscellaneous
455.13
1,214.81
3,847.61
2,536.24
16
1 Park Permit
125.00
725.00
750.00
675.00
17
ISchool Dist.
0.00
7,308.02
8,482.00
2,325.00
20
Sr. Lunch
1,718.30
5,463.46
4,618.37
5,340.90
21
Sr. Trips
443.00
2,883.00
11.00
660.62
30
Pre-school
576.00
25,228.00
23,805.00
19,813.90
40
Music
316.00
6,661.50
5,471.00
3,685.50
42
Dance Classes
834.00
7,965.50
7,631.00
6,508.54
43
Art Sales
149.20
289.70
274.00
432.03
44
jAdult Art
1,275.00
12,826.00
17,320.58
14,708.60
45
Culinary
619.00
1,902.00
3,407.50
1,754.62
46
Child Art
434.00
9,410.00
7,806.00
4,330.00
47
Art Misc.
42.00
566.00
1,049.00
82.00
50
Art in Park
0.00
0.00
311.00
1.59
51
Music -Park
0.00
52.00
106.00
0.00
52
Tree Light
0.00
0.00
43.00
0.00
60
jSp. Int. Classes
4,577.50
27,841.50
29,972.75
27,496.77
61
IFitness
2,196.50
23,422.50
19,617.81
17,104.67
62
Boating/SailingBoating/Sailing
0.00
426.00
586.00
1,489.05
63
Skating
720.00
2,187.00
1,497.00
3,063.31
70
Youth Cams
48.00
19,708.50
12,902.00
10,332.23
71
Youth Trips
0.00
3,765.00
2,893.00
5,945.58
72
Athl. Cams
0.00
21,240.38
28,717.50
14,295.46
80
Elem. Sports
5,181.00
11,879.00
160.00
8,586.00
81
Jr. Sports
1,570.00
10,170.00
7,146.00
7,140.00
82
Tennis
1,590.50
14,340.94
13,249.00
11,427.63
83
Swimming
0.00
0.00
8,915.05
8,670.49
84
Golf
360.00
4,525.61
3,850.00
1,716.94
85
Misc. Sports
685.00
2,741.50
503.00
3,063.31
86
Mart. Arts
228.50
3 324 50
3,389.00
2,657.63
87 ISoftball
265.00
27:150!00
33,935.00
41,775.00
88
Basketball
0.00
4,392.00
3,911.00
3,605.00
89
Volleyball
121.00
4,164.50
4,979.50
3,474.45
90
Field Lights
287.00
1;567.25
1,590.76
1,197.00
91
Field Permit
320.00
1,320.00
1,114.00
1,430.00
92
Tennis Court
90.00
1.365.00
1.228.00
620.00
Totals
$30,270.53
$309,634.58
$293,463.79
$249,682.11
Less Refunds
982.001
12,274,89
11,892.891
6,875.25
Net
$29,288.531
$297,359.69
$281,570.901
$242,806.86
BURLINGAME PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Collection Report
Nov. 1996
1996-1997 1995-1996 1994-1995
COLL. YTD COLL. YTD COLL. YTD
Key
Pro ram
NOVEMBER
5
MONTHa)
0-MONTHSI
JLMDNTHSj0-MONTH
00
Rec. Admin.
$0.00
$73.00
$0.00
$0.00
10
Advertising
180.00
1,050.00
767.00
716.00
12
Tickets/Books
3,212.50
34,194.30
20,601.51
8,061.55
13
Bldg. Rental
2,096.00
11 ,779.61
12,410.50
7,064.50
14
Miscellaneous
252.20
1,467.01
4,055.66
3,059.19
16
Park Permit
0.00
725.00
750.00
675.00
17
School Dist.
0.00
7,308.02
8,482.00
2,325.00
20
Sr. Lunch
1,458.30
6,921.76
6,217.62
6,132.55
21
Sr. Trips
249.00
3,132.00
11.00
667.42
30
Pre-school
157.00
25,385.00
23,805.00
20,011.90
40
Music
377.50
7,039.00
5,877.00
3,844.50
42
Dance Classes
1,058.00
9,023.50
8,603.60
6,904.04
43
Art Sales
273.55
563.25
371.00
445.78
44
jAdult Art
2,325.50
15,151.50
19,524.58
18,343.44
45
Culinary
711.00
2,613.00
3,869.50
1,754.62
46
Child Art
431.00
9,841.00
7,945.00
5,311.50
47
Art Misc.
114.00
680.00
1,049.00
82.00
50
Art in Park
0.00
0.00
311.00
1.59
51
Music -Park
0.00
52.00
106.00
0.00
52
Tree Light
0.00
0.00
43.00
0.00
60
fSp. Int. Classes
686.50
28,528.00
30,632.75
28,106.77
61
Fitness
193.00
23,615.50
20,043.81
19,858.67
62
Boating/SailingBoating/Sailing
0.00
426.00
586.00
1,498.05
63
Skating
45.00
2,232.00
1,542.00
3,075.76
70
Youth Cams
796.00
20,504.50
14,660.00
12,091.23
71
Youth Trips
0.00
3,765.00
2,893.00
6,006.78
72
Athl. Cams
0.00
21,240.38
30,582.00
14,353.56
80
Elem. Sports
4,372.00
16,251.00
1,584.00
12,772.50
81
Jr. Sports
444.00
10,614.00
7,221.00
7,250.00
82
Tennis
129.50
14,470.44
13,769.50
11,695.63
83
Swimming
0.00
0.00
8,915.05
8,670.49
84
Golf
0.00
4,525.61
3,850.00
1,716.94
85
Misc. Sports
0.00
2,741.50
503.00
3,075.76
86
Mart. Arts
338.00
3,662.50
3,389.00
2,657.62
87
Softball
0.00
27,150.00
34,060.00
42,175.00
88 113asketball
0.00
4,392.00
3,911.00
3,605.00
89
Volleyball
241.00
4,405.50
5,050.50
3,495.45
90
Field Lights
357.18
1,924.43
1,982.76
1,601.00
91
Field Permit
595.00
1,915.00
1,909.00
2,050.00
92
Tennis Court
100.00
1.465.00
1.228.00
1.145.00
Totals
$21,192.731
$330,827.31
$313,112.34
$272,301.79
Less Refunds
814.001
15,314.89
14,500.821
8,901.25
Net
$20,378.731
$315,512.42
$298,611.45
$263,400.54