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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Alameda Recreation and Park Commission Meeting - February 12, 2026

City Council — Thursday, February 12, 2026

BodyAlameda, California

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, February 12, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:25:57

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

2:11

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the February twelfth, twenty twenty-six Alameda Recreation and Park Commission meeting.

2:17

Uh, could we start this evening with a roll call, please?

2:20

Sure.

2:21

Uh Commissioner Alexander present.

2:24

Uh Vice Chair Schwartz here.

2:27

Uh Commissioner Radiz.

2:30

Sorry.

2:31

See what happens when Donald's not here?

2:33

Uh Commissioner Bernie.

2:36

Present.

2:36

Commissioner Robbins.

2:38

And charities.

2:39

Present.

2:40

Thank you.

2:41

The first item on our agenda this evening is non-agenda public comment.

2:45

Members of the public may speak for three minutes regarding any matter not on the agenda.

2:50

Commissioners will not respond to comments or answer questions.

2:53

The city welcomes speakers, providing public comment, but please be advised that this is a limited public forum.

2:58

As such, speakers must stay on topic if speaking to a particular agenda item.

3:03

And if speaking during non-agenda public comment, they must address matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city.

3:25

Great.

3:25

Welcome, Speaker.

3:29

Hello, everyone.

3:32

I came to the December meeting and I asked for you all to offer indoor roller skating at the Alameda Point Gym, which you did the very next day, and we were offered a trial session for January, and every single session sold out.

4:11

Everyone is so grateful and appreciative, and I wanted to officially say thank you for giving this skating community this space.

4:26

And during this time when there's a loneliness epidemic among adults, the fact that Alameda Reckon Park is taking an active role to combat this and offer a community space.

4:40

I wanted to thank you, and I wanted to say that if you care to join us, just text me your skate size.

4:48

He has my phone number.

4:40

I've got lots of skates, and we can accommodate you.

4:56

Thank you.

4:57

Our next agenda item is our staff communication from Recreation and Parks Director, Justin Long, Director Long.

5:05

All right.

5:05

Good evening, Commissioners.

5:07

Just want to go over what we've got going on this spring, and so we'll just jump in for some upcoming citywide community events.

5:16

There's the monthly coastal cleanups that are taking place Saturdays, February 14th and March 14th at 10 a.m.

5:22

at Seaplane Lagoon.

5:23

This is organized by Community Action for Sustainable Alameda known as Casa.

5:28

The City Alameda Winter Warming Shelters are open from 6 p.m.

5:32

till 7 a.m.

5:34

through April 30th, 2026.

5:37

Services include showers, dinner, breakfast, case management.

5:40

More is available on the city's website under the Housing and Human Services Division.

5:45

We have our storytelling and drumming festival taking place Saturday, March 14th from 12 until 3 30 at the Mastic Senior Center.

5:55

This event is for all ages, music, stories, puppetry, and crafts.

6:00

And then we have our spring shindig that will be taking place Saturday, April 18th at the Alameda Point Gym.

6:07

And so save the date and check out our website for more details.

6:12

For some upcoming recreation events and activities, the Teen Center will host a kids' night in on Valentine's Day for children ages 5 through 11.

6:21

And this is brought to you by the Alameda Youth Committee, and that'll run from 5 p.m.

6:26

till 9 p.m.

6:27

And the Teen Center at the Veterans Building.

6:31

President's Day Monday, February 16th is observed by the city and our office as well.

6:36

So most of our programs are not running on that day.

6:39

On February 18th, community recreation will host crafts and games at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park from 3 30 to 5 p.m.

6:47

And this is a free event for everyone.

6:50

Summers just around the corner.

6:52

Just want to let everyone know that the 26th summer activity guide should be hitting your mailboxes shortly.

6:58

And it is the PDF is live on our website currently, and registration will go active on February 18th for all summer camps, summer programs, etc.

7:10

And then there's the Friends Dine and Donate Fundraiser, March 5th, taking place at Saltbreaker out on Alameda Point.

7:18

10% of all proceeds will be donated to the friends of the parks.

7:24

I want to give you guys some project updates.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████82%

Procedural███6%

Fiscal Sustainability███5%

Community Engagement█2%

Homelessness█1%

Environmental Protection█1%

Active Transportation█1%

Engineering And Infrastructure█1%

Workforce Development█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Alameda Recreation and Park Commission Meeting - February 12, 2026

The Alameda Recreation and Park Commission (ARPD) met on February 12, 2026, to receive updates on events and projects, approve minutes, and discuss the FY 2026-27 Park Priority Prioritization Plan. The meeting included public comments on indoor roller skating and the community garden, followed by a vote to approve the prioritization plan.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non-Agenda Public Comment: A speaker thanked the commission for offering indoor roller skating at the Alameda Point Gym, noting that every trial session sold out and that it helps combat loneliness among adults.
Item 6A – Park Priority Prioritization Plan: Several residents spoke in favor of making the Jean Sweeney Community Garden a high priority. Alison Taggart Barone, Marla (who served on the original steering committee), Claude Bartholomew, Liz Warmadon (President of Alameda Backyard Growers), Ellen Dyer, and Bridget Evans all requested that the garden be elevated from medium to high priority, citing its long delay and community benefits. Denise from Bike Walk Alameda thanked staff for moving forward with the trail connectors project. Rod Harris from the pickleball users group also thanked staff.

Staff Communication

Director Justin Long provided updates on spring events (coastal cleanups, storytelling festival, spring shindig), recreation programs (summer camps, Teen Center events), and project milestones: Jean Sweeney Trail Connectors construction starting February 23, 2026; Alameda Aquatic Center going out to bid at end of month; City View Skate Park design documents 100% complete; rose pruning event with 50 volunteers; snowball dance with over 150 attendees; and staff promotions.

Commissioner Communications

Commissioners shared reports on attending community events (breakfast with Santa, Elks Hoop Shoot, North Pole swim, snowball family dance), expressed appreciation for ARPD staff, noted heavy use of fields and pickleball courts, and highlighted the Alameda Solar Walk on Bay Farm Island. Vice Chair Schwartz thanked staff for working with the aquatics community on a fee schedule and noted strong attendance at new Aqua Warrior classes. Chair Radiz noted field recovery and issues with court lighting at Cruzy Park.

Discussion Items

FY 2026-27 Park Priority Prioritization Plan: Director Long presented the plan, explaining funding sources (general fund, park improvement fund) and the prioritization criteria (safety, equity, resources, etc.). Key projects include Liedeker Playground replacement (20 years old), Longfellow Hardscape, Franklin Basketball Court, skate park expansion, and trail connectors. The community garden is listed as medium priority with $400,000 allocated, but dependent on completion of trail connectors and soil management plan. Commissioners discussed the distinction between high and medium priority, with Director Long stating that all items on the list will be worked on. Multiple commissioners expressed support for the community garden but noted that shifting priority may not accelerate work. Commissioner Robbins called for increased taxes to fund parks.

Key Outcomes

Approval of December 11, 2025 Minutes: Motion approved unanimously by roll call vote.
Approval of FY 2026-27 Park Priority Prioritization Plan: Motion to approve the plan as presented passed unanimously. During discussion, Director Long indicated willingness to consider moving the community garden to high priority, but the motion approved the list as currently constituted.
Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 12, 2026. Director Long will provide an update on the community garden progress.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the February twelfth, twenty twenty-six Alameda Recreation and Park Commission meeting. Uh, could we start this evening with a roll call, please? Sure. Uh Commissioner Alexander present. Uh Vice Chair Schwartz here. Uh Commissioner Radiz. Sorry. See what happens when Donald's not here? Uh Commissioner Bernie. Present. Commissioner Robbins. And charities. Present. Thank you. The first item on our agenda this evening is non-agenda public comment. Members of the public may speak for three minutes regarding any matter not on the agenda. Commissioners will not respond to comments or answer questions. The city welcomes speakers, providing public comment, but please be advised that this is a limited public forum. As such, speakers must stay on topic if speaking to a particular agenda item. And if speaking during non-agenda public comment, they must address matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city. Great. Welcome, Speaker. Hello, everyone. I came to the December meeting and I asked for you all to offer indoor roller skating at the Alameda Point Gym, which you did the very next day, and we were offered a trial session for January, and every single session sold out. Everyone is so grateful and appreciative, and I wanted to officially say thank you for giving this skating community this space. And during this time when there's a loneliness epidemic among adults, the fact that Alameda Reckon Park is taking an active role to combat this and offer a community space. I wanted to thank you, and I wanted to say that if you care to join us, just text me your skate size. He has my phone number. I've got lots of skates, and we can accommodate you. Thank you. Our next agenda item is our staff communication from Recreation and Parks Director, Justin Long, Director Long. All right. Good evening, Commissioners. Just want to go over what we've got going on this spring, and so we'll just jump in for some upcoming citywide community events. There's the monthly coastal cleanups that are taking place Saturdays, February 14th and March 14th at 10 a.m. at Seaplane Lagoon. This is organized by Community Action for Sustainable Alameda known as Casa. The City Alameda Winter Warming Shelters are open from 6 p.m. till 7 a.m. through April 30th, 2026. Services include showers, dinner, breakfast, case management. More is available on the city's website under the Housing and Human Services Division. We have our storytelling and drumming festival taking place Saturday, March 14th from 12 until 3 30 at the Mastic Senior Center. This event is for all ages, music, stories, puppetry, and crafts. And then we have our spring shindig that will be taking place Saturday, April 18th at the Alameda Point Gym. And so save the date and check out our website for more details. For some upcoming recreation events and activities, the Teen Center will host a kids' night in on Valentine's Day for children ages 5 through 11. And this is brought to you by the Alameda Youth Committee, and that'll run from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. And the Teen Center at the Veterans Building.

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