Alameda Recreation and Park Commission Meeting - April 13, 2026

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting date as April 9, 2026, but the provided metadata specifies April 13, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date.

The Alameda Recreation and Park Commission (ARPD) convened on April 13, 2026, to receive a director's report on upcoming events and project updates, hear commissioner communications, approve minutes from the previous meeting, and consider a new Memorial Amenity Policy. The commission approved the policy with an amendment to the renewal fee.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (March 12, 2026): The minutes were approved via roll call vote. Commissioner Alexander abstained due to absence at the prior meeting. Vice Chair Schwartz and Chair Radies voted in favor, and Commissioner Burney voted in favor. The motion carried.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during non-agenda public comment or on the memorial amenity policy item.

Director's Report and Project Updates

• Upcoming Events: Earth Day celebration, Alameda Sings Spring concert (April 18), Home Electrification Fair and Bike Festival (May 2), Play for the Parks Golf Fun (May 18), Community Rec programs (Wednesdays at various parks), Starlight Movies in the Park (starting May 8 with "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" at Crown Memorial Beach), National Kids to Parks Day (May 16 at Sweeney Park), and Alameda Walk Series (Saturdays starting May 16).
• Project Updates:
  • Aquatic Center: Out for bid; bids due April 21; contract award and start date pending.
  • Estuary Park Phase 2: Construction progressing; walkways and courts being paved; bathroom building installation in late April; completion expected late fall 2026, with public opening after a growing period.
  • Sweeney Park Trail Connectors: North and south connectors under construction; expected completion in early May, opening two new entrances.
  • Community Garden: Meeting with Backyard Growers on April 10 for site walkthrough.
  • Lidecker Playground: Contract going to council in late April/early May; installation expected by end of 2026.
• Programs and Registration: Summer registration open; many programs filling quickly. Hiring for summer jobs (ages 16+). Aquatics: swim lessons, open swim, summer camps. Spring break camps at Harrison Center and Alameda Point Gym. Teen programs: Queer Teen Alameda Center (Fridays at 6 p.m.). Volunteer programs: Every Act Matters, Operation Green Sweep, Junior Leader Program. Youth programs: after-school pickleball, homeschool PE. Adult programs: open gym, tennis, indoor pickleball, indoor roller skating. New programs: Intro to AI (April 20-29), Strength Training and Cardio (May 6-June 24). Mastic Spring Art Boutique (April 25). Leisure Club Talent Show (June 11).
• Park Improvements: Littlejohn dugouts made ADA-compliant with safety netting and benches; Bohol Circle trellises repainted; Harrison Rec Center being painted.
• Staff Training and Recognition: Four staff attended CPRS conference in Long Beach (March 10-13). Staff training on laser level equipment (March 18). Spring sports field maintenance underway. Dana Archibald recognized for 14 years of service. Nick Casenda and Oscar Ledezma passed Certified Playground Safety Inspector program.

Commissioner Communications

• Commissioner Alexander: Delivered belated Women's History Month tribute to women of ARPD; visited Estuary Park, Little John Field, and Franklin tennis courts; commended the activity guide as creative and comprehensive; promoted the Play for the Parks golf tournament on May 18.
• Commissioner Burney: Thanked ARPD for maintaining runner-friendly parks; announced he will run the Boston Marathon in two weeks for Cat Town, a cat shelter in Oakland.
• Commissioner Schwartz: Enjoyed time at Franklin Park with his son's T-ball; observed connector work at Sweeney Park and Cruzy; noted that noon water aerobics classes have ended but patrons still ask for them, requesting the program be brought back sooner than summer.

Discussion Items

• Memorial Amenity Policy (Item 6A): Director Long presented a new policy to replace the existing procedure for donating memorial benches, tables, and other amenities. Key features:
  • Term: 10-year dedication or life of the amenity, with a renewal option for another 10 years at a fee (proposed $1,000, later amended).
  • Eligibility: Individuals, families, and organizations; no commercial use.
  • Locations: Subject to availability, accessibility, master plan fit, and no interference with park use. Some parks at capacity; 150 of 700+ benches currently have dedications.
  • Costs: Concrete bench $5,000, ironwood bench $6,000 (transcript stated "$0,000" assumed typo), picnic table $5,500. Breakdown: bench/table cost ~$2,000, concrete slab $1,000-$1,500, 10-year maintenance $2,000-$2,400. Renewal fee initially $1,000.
  • Application: Form submission, review, installation within 8-16 weeks.
  • Existing Dedications: Extended a full 10-year term from policy adoption, regardless of original donation date.
  • Vandalism: City will repair or replace destroyed amenities at no cost to donor; plaque replacement is donor's responsibility.
• Commission Discussion:
  • Questions about contact information for existing donors, fee adjustments for inflation, renewal fee adequacy, and pricing for adding plaques to existing benches vs. new installations.
  • Commissioner Alexander expressed concern about high costs but understood the need to cover expenses. She abstained from voting due to owning two benches and a picnic table in a park.
  • Commissioner Burney suggested itemizing costs for donors to clarify the breakdown.
  • Chair Radies proposed increasing the renewal fee from $1,000 to $1,500 to account for 3-5% annual inflation, and keeping it locked at the time of original purchase.
  • Commissioners supported the policy with the amendment.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Memorial Amenity Policy with a $1,500 renewal fee (instead of $1,000), locked at the time of the original purchase. The motion passed 3-0-1 (Commissioner Alexander abstained).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for May 14, 2026. Agenda items will include project updates for the Aquatic Center and Estuary Park.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned unanimously.