The City of Alameda has won a $2,231,000 grant to construct a portion of the Cross Alameda Trail that runs through Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. The funding is from the Regional Active Transportation Program through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which received 127 applications and funded 11 projects.
“This grant really helps Alameda to achieve Jean Sweeney’s and the community’s vision for this open space park,” said Mayor Marie Gilmore.
“There is a remarkable momentum behind the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park,” said Recreation and Park Director Amy Wooldridge. “Many residents have invested a significant amount of energy and time which is critical to the success of this new park.”
The City will begin design early next year for this section of the Cross Alameda Trail. It will be a multi-use recreational trail that proposes 16 feet of asphalt for bicyclists and walkers plus 5 feet of decomposed granite for joggers. The project includes a trail gap closure to safely connect users from Jean Sweeney Open Space Park to the Cross Alameda Trail along Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway, which is already funded. The grant also includes funding for bicycle safety classes for teens, adults, families, and students in the four adjacent schools.
The trail runs through Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, which is a 22-acre, passive use park located in the west/central part of the island. The trail will improve bicycling and walking access for lower income neighborhoods; existing high-density residential; and new housing and commercial developments at Alameda Point and the Northern Waterfront. This section of the Cross Alameda Trail connects to several major public transportation hubs in Alameda, including the regional ferry, bus system and shuttles.
The Cross Alameda Trail is part of the Jean Sweeney Park project as a whole, which is focused on trails and open space. The park will have a wide variety of proposed walking and biking trails, including natural, pedestrian-only trails and a bike skills trail with recreational components. The park also includes nature-based playgrounds; an open lawn area adjacent to a gazebo and covered picnic pavilion; and a community garden, urban orchard and demonstration gardens for Bay-Friendly landscape. The center portion of the property will be predominantly open space habitat with pedestrian-only hiking trails meandering throughout.
