Directors Discuss Proposed Sycamore Grove Park Extension

Here's information provided by the :

At a meeting Wednesday night, the Board of Directors for the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District held a public hearing regarding the proposed Sycamore Grove Park extension.

The proposal is for LARPD to acquire the 73-acre “Bobba Property” adjacent to the open space park. A Resource Management Plan has been prepared, and it will guide the management, operation and future development of the property. The proposed extension contains California annual grassland, eucalyptus woodland, scrub, riparian oak woodland and pond communities that will be managed to provide ecosystem services, safe public access an educational opportunities. LARPD is acquiring the property from the Tri-Valley Conservancy, who purchased it with grant funds in order to preserve it and turn it over to the District as parkland.

A presentation was made at the Board meeting, and a public hearing was offered to allow for comments on the plan. Robert Cantu, a neighbor of the property, talked to the Board about his concerns for the location of the trail and its proximity to a road as well as concerns for disturbing wildlife. Former Board Member David Furst spoke to the Board about being consistent with identification of natural habitats and protection, including eucalyptus trees, which can be a habitat for raptors. Staff and Board members will consider these points during the review process.

The public review period for the Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration for the plan runs through Oct. 5. The District will accept written comments until noon that day. Documents may be accessed from the Sycamore Grove Page on the LARPD website at www.larpd.dst.ca.us.

The Board approved a new Records Retention and Destruction Program Policy and Schedule, an update to an old policy adopted in the early 1970s. LARPD administrative volunteer Angie Solbeck worked to review many retention schedules using best practices from other park districts and cities throughout the state. The schedule establishes a time limit for retention and final disposition for District records in accordance with state, federal and local laws. The Board thanked Solbeck for her volunteered time spent on the project.

Also during the meeting, the Board reviewed the option to nominate a director for the California Special Districts Association Board of Directors, but declined making any nominations. Ranger Supervisor Mike Nicholson made an informational presentation to the Board on the prescribed burn program for Sycamore Grove Park. Prescribed burns have many benefits: local fire protection agencies work together and get to know the park better; native plants can thrive from getting rid of non-native plants; burns help open seed pods from trees; burns help prevent unplanned fires by keeping dry grasses at manageable levels. During the regular public forum, the team president of the Blue Dolphins Swim Team, Joshua Senecal, addressed the Board about working with staff to get more rental time for the pool. In addition, General Manager Tim Barry reminded the Board and the public of the upcoming LARPD Children’s Fair on Saturday, Sept. 15, and Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Robert Livermore Community Center.