Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Commission Regular Meeting - January 21, 2026

The Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Commission (PRTAC) held a regular meeting on January 21, 2026. Key agenda items included a presentation from the Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) on annual projects and partnerships, updates on the Harvest property acquisition, discussion of the 2026 goals and work plan, a presentation on the Urban Forestry Management Plan draft, and park maintenance and recreation division updates. The meeting also included a consent calendar, commissioner comments, and a foundation update.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved the minutes of the previous meeting by a unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke on items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

Presentation from Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD)

• Ashley and Allie from RCD presented an overview of their annual projects and collaborations with the city. Highlights included volunteer events such as Green Friday (52 volunteers, 57 oak plantings at Alston Park), MLK Day of Service (60 volunteers, ivy removal from 65 trees along the Napa River Trail), and monthly French broom pulls at Westwood Hills Park. They also discussed the Napa Weed Management Area, a countywide coordination effort funded by a new three-year grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• RCD reported completing a forest management plan for Westwood Hills Park and securing state coastal conservancy funding for priority treatments of French broom (cutting, piling, pile burning, and flaming re-sprouts). At Alston Park, the 16% survival rate of planted oaks over 11 years was noted as exceeding the norm for wildland restoration (15%). RCD is also collaborating on a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the city, expected to go to council in spring 2026.
• Additional partnerships include the Waterwise Landscaping Workshop series, the Climate-Friendly Garden Tour (reaching over 13,000 residents since 2011), and climate action outreach through the "Rooted in Action" workshop series.
• During Q&A, commissioners asked about RCD's organizational structure (public agency funded primarily by grants, 18 staff, $8M annual budget) and clarified the nature of their tax revenue (property tax, but a very small portion). Discussion also covered fire history at Westwood Hills (last significant fire in the 1990s) and the status of the nature center at Caroline Park (leased to a nonprofit).

Harvest Property Acquisition Update (Item 6A)

• Brianna reported that the city closed on the 27-acre Harvest property (former middle school) in mid-December. The site is now open for public use with interim reservations accepted through June 30. Four full-time staff have been relocated from the closed Las Flores facility to provide on-site presence.
• A demolition plan is underway for the school buildings, with the city council having approved $5 million for demolition and initial planning/design services the previous day. The old gym and new gym will be retained; other structures will be demolished. Community engagement will be a robust four-phase process (Connect, Outreach and Consult, Involve and Collaborate, Share Leadership) beginning with existing survey data (over 1,500 responses). An RFP for an architectural planning and design firm is expected to be awarded by council on May 5, with phase two community engagement launching in August 2025. The goal is to have two design concepts by the end of 2026.
• Commissioners asked about the site's planned uses (25 acres for public recreation, 2.53 acres for high-density housing per the general plan), previous management (by the school district), and funding (local dollars, potentially via a JPA bond). The department has received additional staff support to manage the project.

2026 Goals and Work Plan Discussion (Item 6B)

• The chair and vice-chair elections were postponed due to two vacancies; interviews are scheduled for February 9. The commission discussed integrating harvest-related items into the 2026 work plan, continuing park tours (two in 2025), and removing the Park and Recreation Foundation formal presentation from the schedule in favor of a standing agenda item. The Playable Arts Project at Fuller Park is progressing: equipment has arrived, installation is set to begin in late January (delayed due to footing redesign), and the playground will now be fully enclosed. A restroom at Fuller Park is funded for design and construction.

Urban Forestry Management Plan Update (Item 6C)

• Jeff presented draft 2 of the Urban Forestry Management Plan, a 40-year roadmap. The plan covers an executive summary, a vision statement built on four Ps (Preserve, Protect, Promote, Plan), and goals and recommendations derived from data including a tree inventory of 34,000 trees and a canopy assessment showing 21.5% canopy cover. The goals are organized under the four Ps and include items such as proactive maintenance, protecting mature trees, planning for invasive species, increasing species diversity, updating codes and policies, and expanding education and partnerships. The plan is a guiding document and does not require formal adoption by the city council, though commissioners suggested seeking formal adoption to signal commitment and support funding.
• Commissioners discussed canopy goals (maintaining rather than aggressively expanding due to infrastructure constraints), the use of dollar signs to indicate funding needs, and the importance of tracking implementation. Jeff noted that some goals are already in progress, such as the Right Tree Right Place pamphlet and partnerships with PG&E. The final draft (draft 3) is expected in February or March 2026.

Park Maintenance and Recreation Division Updates (Item 6D)

• The Napa Light Art Festival launched on January 17 and runs through mid-February; the projection installations will be up through January 24. Placer AI data on attendance is pending.
• Coomb Street reforestation project: 47 trees were removed and 57 replanted (24-inch box size), exceeding a 1:1 ratio. The project is in the punch list phase.
• Arbor Day event: 21 volunteers planted 50 grant-funded trees at Vineyard Park despite heavy rain.

Key Outcomes

• The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
• City council approved $5 million for demolition and initial design for the Harvest property (reported at the meeting).
• The RFP for architectural planning and design for the Harvest complex is on track for council award on May 5, 2026.
• The commission provided feedback on the Urban Forestry Management Plan draft 2; staff will incorporate comments into draft 3.
• The Playable Arts Project at Fuller Park is moving forward with installation remobilizing in late January; the playground will be fully enclosed.
• The Park and Recreation Foundation reported $9,625 in donations from the Give Guide campaign.

Park and Recreation Foundation Update

• A commissioner reported that the foundation raised $9,625 through the Give Guide, the most successful placement to date, including $6,625 from 55 donations and $3,000 in off-platform donations attributed to the campaign.