Florida Avenue Park

April 2022 Update

On May 26, 2020, the City Council took action to have landscape architect firm MIG develop final construction documents for the Florida Avenue Park project to allow staff the ability to identify alternative funding to support the park construction. In March of 2021, the City applied for funding for this project through the Prop 68 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program. In December 2021, the City was informed that funds would not be awarded to San Bruno for this project. The City remains committed to realizing the community vision for this park and will identify funding through the upcoming FY 2022-23 budget process, and through other grant or alternative funding opportunities. Although park construction is on hold for funding, the City installed grass in October 2020 for the community to enjoy the open space.

History

October 28, 2014

City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to complete the purchase of 324 Florida Avenue
Staff Report Executing Escrow Documents (PDF)

November 18, 2014

Planning Commission adopted a resolution confirming review for conformance with the San Bruno General Plan of the acquisition of property at 324 Florida
Staff Report - General Plan Consistency Review (PDF)

October 25, 2016

City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for the 324 Florida Avenue Site Remediation Project
City Council approved the Florida Avenue Draft Master Plan
Staff Report Executing Contract with ACC Environmental Consultants (PDF)
Staff Report Adopting Draft Master Plan (PDF)

Late 2016 to Early 2017

Preparation of plans and specifications

August 2017

Construction: bidding and contract award
Staff Report Executing a Construction Contract with Star Construction (PDF)

November 2017

Cancellation of construction contract

Since November 2017

City staff has worked with the landscape architecture firm to identify various revisions to construction documents and work through various concerns that were raised about the design and the site.

September 19, 2018

At the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, City staff brought up significant concerns involving the potential removal of two remaining heritage trees on the site to protect public health and safety and avoid newfound/increased maintenance costs. This decision is linked to the preferred layout of the park.

September 20, 2018

City staff issued and posted a heritage tree removal permit
Notice of Tree Removal (PDF)

September 26, 2018

Citizen appeal received for removal of two heritage
Appeals (PDF)

November 13, 2018

Appeal of the removal of two heritage trees at the City Council meeting
Staff Report on Appeal of the Removal of Two Heritage Trees (PDF)

March 30, 2019

A community discussion and update on the development of the park was held at the future site of Florida Avenue Park on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 9 am to 11 am. A presentation was given at 9:30 am.
More Information (PDF)

September 24, 2019

Staff Report on Appeal Resolution
Staff Report on Appeal Resolution (PDF)

September 2019 Update

In March 2019 the City hosted a community meeting at the park to gather feedback regarding the removal of two heritage trees. The City had proposed removing a non-native Norfolk Island Pine because it could drop pine cones weighing one to two pounds from a height of 50-80 feet. The Pine also secretes a sticky substance that would foul the play equipment below. The other tree, a Deodor Cedar, was found by an arborist to be deformed due to prior trimming and topping. As a result of feedback from the community meeting and discussions with a group of residents and their attorney who had appealed the City's proposed decision to remove the two trees, the City will be removing the Pine and replacing it with a beautiful, large native Coast Live Oak and retaining the Cedar. When planted, the Oak will be about 20-25' high and about 18' wide. The park design will include planting 14 additional new trees, as previously proposed by the City. The City will be working with its designer to finalize the plans, and then to obtain construction bids, which are expected by the first quarter of 2020. Construction could start in mid-2020.

Design

Key Park Features
- Children's play area with play equipment and rubberized play surfacing
- Adult exercise features include a cardio course and multi-generational play equipment
- Great lawn area with turf or drought-tolerant grass
- Minimum of 12 new trees per the City's standards and preservation of two existing on-site heritage trees
- Neighborhood square with scored tone paving and picnic tables
- Pedestrian paths with seating

September 2020 Update

On May 26, 2020, the City Council took action and to have MIG, the landscape architect, provide restart services and a revised final bid set, and bid and construction support services for the Florida Avenue Park project. In addition, staff has begun to install irrigation and grass at the future park site, as an interim measure to open the site to the community in 2020. Staff will continue to seek grant funding and work to identify alternative funding, from Park in Lieu fees and development-related community benefit payments, to support the park construction. Proceeding with the proposed contract amendment is an important step to having "shovel ready" plans for the future park, once funding is identified.