Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Adoption of the Plans and Specifications for the Quarry Park Pump Track Project, and Authorization for the Parks Director to call for sealed bids to construct the Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The adoption of the Plans and Specifications, including conformance with prevailing wage scale requirements, for the Quarry Park Pump Track Project; and
B) The Parks Director to call for sealed bids to construct the Project, to be received by February 16, 2022, at 3:00 pm at the Parks Department’s Office.
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BACKGROUND:
Quarry County Park (“Quarry Park”) is a 577-acre County-owned and operated park located in the unincorporated community of El Granada. Quarry Park hosts a variety of visitor amenities including almost 4.5 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikes; a playground; picnic areas; and a community garden.
In 2016, the San Mateo County Parks Department (“Department”) initiated the development of the Quarry Park Master Plan. As part of the development process and so the Department may better understand the park uses and amenities most desired by the public, five public workshops were held and online surveys were administered. Over 260 individuals attended the in-person workshops and 235 individuals responded to the online surveys, and 46% of workshop participants and survey respondents identified a pump track as a top-desired amenity. A pump track is a continuous circuit of banked turns interspaced by rollers and other features that can be ridden on a bicycle without pedaling.
In late 2019, members of the Midcoast community constructed a pump track on the Mirada East section of Quarry Park without the Department’s authorization. And although the Department shut down this pump track due to safety concerns, the Department agreed to design, permit, and construct a pump track in the meadow at Quarry Park. The Department selected this project location, shown on attached Exhibit A, due to its: (i) relatively flat topography which requires minimal site preparation; (ii) absence of sensitive resources; (iii) ease of access for users and staff; and (iv) proximity to the existing parking lot. Further, during development of the Master Plan, the public and Department identified this area as an ideal location for a new amenity.
In early 2020, the Department and its consultants formed a Project Advisory Committee, which was comprised of Department staff, community members, representatives from the Coastside Mountain Bikers and the Midcoast Community Council, and a director from the Granada Community Services District. The Department tasked this committee with developing three conceptual project alternatives that would be presented to the public for consideration. These conceptual project alternatives are shown on attached Exhibit B. The Department presented these project alternatives at a virtual workshop held on November 4, 2020, which was attended by 56 members of the public. The Department surveyed participants regarding their preferred alternative, with 94% of respondents preferring the Flying-X alternative. The Department also posted the survey on its website, and received an additional 81 responses, of which 53% preferred the Flying-X alternative. Due to the substantial support for the Flying-X alternative (64%), the Department selected the Flying-X alternative as the Preferred Concept (Exhibit C) for this project.
DISCUSSION:
The Preferred Concept includes three features: the Flying-X pump track, a beginner pump track, and a skills trail. The Flying-X pump track offers: (i) multiple routes to ride, (ii) a series of rollers designed to maximize speed and flow around the track, and (iii) several banked turns to support moderate to fast turns. Although this track is designed for more experienced riders, it can also be enjoyed by beginner riders at slower speeds. For riders not yet ready for the Flying-X pump track, a beginner pump track is available; this track is smaller in size, contains fewer banked turns and rollers, and naturally limits the speed at which it can be ridden. The Preferred Concept also contains a skills trail, which encircles the two pump tracks and contains obstacles that are designed to be ridden at slower speeds in order to strengthen fundamental bicycling skills such balance and maneuverability.
By having all three features, and having each feature designed for different skill-level riders, the project achieves the Department’s ultimate goal of providing a family-friendly amenity that can be broadly enjoyed by riders of all abilities.
The Department and its consultants prepared the attached project Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (“PS&E”) for the Preferred Concept (Exhibit D). Upon completion of the PS&E, the Department evaluated the Preferred Concept in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and determined that the project is eligible for a CEQA Exemption. On July 20, 2021 the Department filed the CEQA Exemption with the Recorder’s Office.
On July 14, 2021, the Preferred Concept was presented to the San Mateo County Planning Commission for consideration of a Coastal Development Permit. After receiving public comment and deliberating, the Planning Commission voted 4-1 to issue the Coastal Development Permit.
Should this Board adopt the Plans and Specifications, the Department will advertise the bid to construct the Preferred Concept (Exhibit E), and present to this Board a recommendation for a contract award. The Department anticipates the pump track will be open to the public by the end of Spring 2022.
On February 4, 2021, the County’s Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to recommend that this Board adopt the Preferred Concept’s PS&Es.
Construction of the Preferred Concept is estimated to cost $280,000. Due to the project’s community support, on January 21, 2021, the Granada Community Services District (“GCSD”) unanimously authorized GCSD to provide up to $100,000 for construction of the Preferred Concept. Further, the San Mateo County Parks Foundation secured a $6,500 grant from REI and received over $5,000 in donations that will be used for construction of the Preferred Concept. The remaining balance of construction costs will be provided by the San Mateo County Mid-Coast Parks Development Fund, which per County ordinance may be used to develop parks located in and primarily used by Mid-Coast residents.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated construction cost for the project is $280,000. The Granada Community Services District will provide up to $100,000, and the San Mateo County Parks Foundation will provide approximately $11,500 for construction of the Preferred Concept. The remaining balance of construction costs will be provided by the San Mateo County Mid-Coast Parks Development Fund. There is no Net County Cost associated with approving the resolution.