Los Gatos planners tonight are expected to recommend to the Town Council several improvements to , considered the "gem" of local open spaces and located on Blossom Hill Road.
The Parks and Public Works Department is seeking a conditional-use permit to begin the 12-acre recreational oasis' master plan on property zoned resource conservation.
Some of the upgrades include restroom expansion by at least four stalls, parking lot improvements that include expanding its kiosk, installation of a shade structure and solar panels, installation of a playground shade structure, bocce ball court overhang and reserve areas renovation and the identification of a special events area, according to a staff report.
None of the proposed improvements will intensify the use of the park, meaning the upgrades aren't expected to increase the number of local residents who use it on a regular basis during the week and on weekends.
In June of 2008, the Council approved a report and recommendations regarding needed community and youth sports facilities and the disposition of town land within Vasona Lake County Park.
At that time, staff committed to Council a master plan for town parks, which documents current conditions and uses at the local recreational facilities and proposed improvements.
The Oak Meadow Park master plan, presented to the Los Gatos Parks Commission on Aug. 14, was unanimously approved by its members.
The park currently contains playground equipment, a decommissioned USAF T-33 Jet airplane, two bocce ball courts, nine picnic facilities, the popular Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, W.E. Bill Mason Carousal, access to Vasona Lake County Park, and the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
During July and August, the Festival Theatre Ensemble uses the west side of the park for its annual Shakespeare in the Park festival, which attracts about 2,400 people, according to staff.
Opened in 1958, it's estimated that more than 100,000 people visit the park annually and is considered the most used recreational spot in Los Gatos due to its proximity to Vasona County Lake Park, planners said.
Sorry for all of the questions, but I've honestly never considered that they were two parks before. I'd research it more on my own, but, ya know, I'm lazy.
But pride trumps all..........it's ours, "sometimes it not the money" to quote one of our councilmen". Yes two different parking lots collecting money for each agency, two different attendants etc. etc.
They are two separate Parks and there has never been an attempt to consolidate them into one Park.
There is continual upgrade of the parks over time as budget allows. A few years ago the play ground was upgraded at belgatos then the tennis courts were resurfaced along with other work at blossomhill. Work is currently being done at live oak and now they are asking for budget approval for this work at oak meadow. Bachman is actually in quit good shape compared to before those other improvements were made at those other parks. Bachman maybe can be considered for next in line. A correction on the parks commission: they were unanimous in agreeing to approval of most of the elements recommended but did reject some elements including reducing some turf area and requesting the new shade structure be estheticly consistent with the rest of the park including hiding the solar panels.