Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Acceptance of a Community Project Funding Grant for the Coyote Point Recreation Area Playground Replacement Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Accepting a Community Project Funding Grant in the amount of $1,000,000 for the Coyote Point Recreation Area Playground Replacement Project, to be provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on a reimbursement basis; and
B) Authorizing the County Executive Officer, or the County Executive Officer’s Designee, acting in consultation with the County Attorney, to execute such agreements, documents, and certifications as may be necessary and advisable to secure grant funding and reimbursement under the Community Project Funding Grant.
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BACKGROUND:
The Coyote Point Recreation Area (“Coyote Point”) is a 149-acre County owned and operated park that is located in the City of San Mateo. The park includes three playgrounds, a segment of the Bay Trail, a beach, picnic and reservation areas, lawns for free play, multiple launch points for water sports, walking trails, and a marina. Coyote Point serves as both a local park and regional destination, hosting approximately 530,000 visitors a year, many of which are families and kids.
Coyote Point’s most popular amenity, the Magic Mountain Playground, was constructed in 2006 and is rapidly approaching the end of its useful life. This playground includes multiple slides, various climbing structures, a three-story castle tower, swings, two play dragons, and a small tot-lot for the youngest visitors. As the playground continues to age and deteriorate, the Department is having to replace play equipment at an accelerated rate causing frequent closures of play elements and difficulty complying with California playground safety standards. Further, as playground trends evolve, current features lack creative opportunities for kids to play and offer limited opportunities for people with disabilities.
The Department proposes to replace the Magic Mountain Playground with a new, inclusive playground that can provide recreational opportunities for people of varying ages, abilities, and interests. As Coyote Point’s main playground has historically served as the flagship playground for the County parks system, it is critical that the new playground serve the broadest range of users, reflect contemporary trends in playground designs, and meet the Department’s goal of providing services most desired by the public.
DISCUSSION:
The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 made funding available for grants “for the purposes of Community Project Funding / Congressionally Directed Spending.” These grants are directed by a member of Congress and administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
On August 27, 2024, one of the County’s Congressional representatives, Kevin Mullin, announced an award of $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding (“CPF”) appropriated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act for the replacement of the Magic Mountain Playground at Coyote Point. The funds will be disbursed to the County on a reimbursement basis, as incurred, pursuant to CPF program requirements. CPF also requires that the project “Buy America” which means construction equipment be manufactured in the United States.
On May 23, 2025, the Department opened the first round of public surveying to understand what features and experiences the public most desires from the new playground. This information will be used to draft the design criteria for a Design Build Entity to design and construct a playground. The Design Build Entity will be selected through a competitive solicitation to occur in the summer of 2025. The selected Design Build Entity will have until April 2026 to design and permit the project and procure equipment consistent with Department-approved plans (to be prepared by the Design Build Entity). Construction of the playground is anticipated to commence in spring of 2026 and be completed by end of 2026.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Coyote Point serves as a local and regional destination for families looking to play and celebrate life events including birthdays, reunions, and holidays. By replacing the playground, the Department can provide enhanced services and elevate the functionality of one of the most popular public green spaces in San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Given the size of the playground, cost of playground equipment, and current labor market, the Department anticipates it will cost approximately $4,000,000 to replace the playground. The Coyote Point Recreation Area Replacement of the Magic Mountain Playground is funded through a combination of Federal and County monies. In anticipation of this project, the Department budgeted $1,800,000 in Measure K dollars in FY 2024-25 and $1,310,000 in Measure K dollars in FY 2025-26, and secured the $1,000,000 in CPF funding, which will be made to the Department on a reimbursable basis. The CPF funding has been previously budgeted for and included in the Department’s FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. The Department estimates it will cost approximately $350,000 to design the playground and $3,700,000 to procure and install the new equipment.