The recently approved agreement with Tim Lewis Communities for the development of the Del Monte building stipulates a $2 million payment for the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. Jean Sweeny Park is a 22-acre, passive use park located in the west/central part of the island. The park will serve the new Del Monte residents plus the local neighborhood and larger community. It also reduces the impact of the new housing on existing parks.
"We are now at a notable crossroads for this project as the conceptual plan, developed by the community, starts to become a reality," said Recreation and Park Director Amy Wooldridge. "This is an exciting moment in time for the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park."
This money provides the critical spark to move the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park forward by providing design and construction funding. As importantly, it will act as the required local matching fund for the City to seek new grants. The total anticipated cost of the park is $8-$10 million and will be funded solely through grants, donations, and developer fees.
The Del Monte Project funds will be used to develop the most eastern portion of the park at Atlantic Avenue and Sherman Street. An initial $300,000 will be used to complete the detailed design of the entire park. The park's Master Plan includes nature-based playgrounds; an open lawn area adjacent to a gazebo and covered picnic pavilion; walking and pedestrian trails throughout; 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 meandering pedestrian-only hiking trails.
A state transportation grant was recently received in the amount of $2.23 million for construction of the Cross Alameda Trail through Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. The City is able to leverage each funding piece to build upon for the next funding opportunity.
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