Alameda Recreation and Park Commission Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Alameda Recreation and Park Commission met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included public comments, staff updates, a detailed summer program recap, and a preliminary discussion on 2027 user fee adjustments. Commissioners approved consent calendar items and set the next meeting for October 8, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of July 9, 2026: Approved unanimously (4-0; new Commissioners Bell and Sorensen abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adrian Alexander (former commissioner): Welcomed the two new commissioners, offered advice on preparing for meetings and engaging with staff and parks, and urged the commission to advocate for a share of any future bond measure to fund park infrastructure improvements (roofs, gutters, interior maintenance).
• Mark Klein (resident/parent): Expressed concern over the long-term shortage of athletic fields, noting that a 2012 city plan identified a deficit of six baseball/softball diamonds and six rectangular fields. He stated that only Estuary Park has been added since, while planned housing at the Point will remove several soccer fields, resulting in a net decrease by 2030. He asked the commission to advocate for long-term field availability.

Discussion Items

• Staff Communications: Director Justin Long presented a calendar of upcoming events (coastal cleanup, Alameda walks, Starlight Movies in the Park, blues/brews/barbecue, cultural festivals), program updates (after-school registration, teen programs, indoor roller skating, aquatics), staff recognition (Essie DeVille and Ashley Canadis for teen volunteer program, Park Supervisor Oscar Ledezma for leadership academy), and project updates (Franklin Park basketball court renovation completed, Longfellow center painted, Godfrey Park playground feature added, Lidecker Park playground construction underway). He also clarified that ARPD will begin operating the new Emma Hood pool on January 1, 2027, regardless of AUSD’s October opening target, and that the joint use agreement will be split into separate pool and general facility agreements.
• Commissioner Communications: New Commissioners Eric Bell (15-year resident, professor and CPA) and Rhonda Sorensen (lifelong Alameda resident, recreation degree) introduced themselves. Vice Chair Schwartz praised lifeguard Hero Short; Chair Ades shared his experience visiting all 41 city parks and highlighted Marina Village Park.
• Summer Recap 2026 (Item 6A): Recreation Manager Patrick Russian presented an extensive report on summer programs with the theme “Totally Rad Wreck Summer.” Key statistics: 280 part-time summer employees, 165 preschoolers in We Play, 49 in Tiny Tots, 94 in Tenderfoot Camp, 1,700 participants in specialty classes (STEAM, science, cooking most popular), 1,216 in World of Wonder (WOW) all-day rec care across five sites, 356 visitors to the free Underground Teen Center, over 1,000 swim lessons, 1,500 sports campers, and 973 drop-in community recreation participants. Signature events included the 58th annual Sand Castle and Sand Culture Contest (95 entries, 492 participants, ~2,000 spectators) and the 49th annual 4th of July parade (60,000 spectators, 185 parade entries). Challenges included increased competition from other providers, shifting kindergarten/TK demographics, aging facilities, and the need for better marketing. Commissioners asked about capacity, endangered programs (Tiny Tots and day camp), marketing efforts, partnerships with youth sports leagues, swim lesson enrollment, and affordability (scholarship fund of ~$20,000 annually, fully utilized). Commissioner Schwartz praised the new flexible swim program and requested year-over-year comparisons in future reports.
• User Fee Adjustments for 2027 (Item 6B): Director Long outlined the fee-setting process, noting that annual cost-of-living increases and program expenses require revenue growth of 3-5% to avoid service cuts. The department operates at 50-55% cost recovery, with revenue of about $5.5 million against total expenses of $16-17 million. Fee increases are targeted to minimize impact on broad community programs (e.g., group swim lessons) while higher individual services (private tennis lessons) approach full cost recovery. He explained the timeline: staff will conduct market comparisons, share proposals with user groups, present a workshop at the October 8 commission meeting, incorporate feedback, and bring a final recommendation to the commission in November for council approval in December. Commissioners clarified fee categories (resident/non-resident, nonprofit/for-profit), cost calculation methods, and the importance of understanding downstream effects on partner organizations. Chair Ades emphasized the need for policy principles to guide subsidies. Staff agreed to share preliminary proposals with commissioners and user groups before the October meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (4-0; new commissioners abstained).
• No motions on summer recap or fee preview; both items were informational.
• Next meeting: October 8, 2026, with tentative agenda items: user fee workshop, park tour (special meeting date TBD), election of chair and vice chair for the upcoming term, and a brief report on fall sports field allocation.