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KEY ISSUES & CONSIDERATIONS Lack of Available Land San Leandro faces a pressing need for additional parkland and recreational amenities, but the city is nearly fully built-out, with little to no vacant land suitable park development. To achieve the acreage level of service standard outlined in the General Plan, significant swaths of already-developed land would need to be converted into parkland—a solution that is financially impractical. Since it is unlikely that the city can easily meet its level of service standard, there is need for innovative and practical approaches to meeting the city’s park and recreation needs. Overutilized Parks The level of activity and utilization of the city parks varies and depends on many factors, including the availability of amenities, population density, distance to other parks, and interests of the surrounding community. Some of San Leandro’s parks experience high, and at times overwhelming, use, which can have significant impact on facilities and cause conflicts between park users. Rebalancing park amenities throughout the city could improve park experience and access to amenities and mitigate facility impacts and user conflicts. Parks that struggle with overutilization include: OVERUTILIZED PARKS • Marina: Very busy on the weekends – a desirable place to picnic. • Halcyon: located in a more densely populated area, with few other parks. Large picnic parties and organized soccer creates user conflicts. Halcyon Park OPPORTUNITIES San Leandro can overcome its spatial and resource limitations by focusing on innovative strategies to enhance recreational opportunities for the community. These strategies include strategic acquisitions, enhancing existing parks, repurposing underutilized spaces, and fostering partnerships for shared recreational facilities. By adopting a proactive and collaborative approach, the city can make significant strides in increasing access to high-quality recreational amenities for all residents. Key opportunities are explored further below and visualized in Map 4.2, with specific recommendations derived from these opportunities detail in Chapter 5. City-Owned Opportunities City-owned properties provide a foundational starting point for expanding and diversifying recreational options. Many of these sites have untapped potential to meet evolving community needs through repurposing or enhancement. 1. UTILITY PONDS: There is an opportunity to establish public trails along the existing pond access roads, providing seamless connections to nearby open spaces. Should the ponds be decommissioned in the future, they could be restored to their natural habitat, significantly expanding the adjacent Heron Bay open space while enhancing ecological value and recreational opportunities. 2. MONARCH BAY GOLF CLUB: As one of San Leandro’s largest public open spaces, the golf course represents a major opportunity to address park needs. Transformations could include converting underutilized portions of the course into multi-functional public spaces by adding features like trails, picnic areas, and community gathering areas. If the golf course is ever decommissioned, part of the land could be reserved as a community park, which is a high priority need for the community. 3. ROOT PARK EXPANSION: At just 0.8 acres, Root Park currently offers limited recreational value. The adjacent parking lot is currently used by the City’s Police Department, but if alternative parking solutions were found, the lot could be converted into parkland, effectively doubling Root Park’s size. This lot also features a mature tree canopy, which would enhance the park’s appeal and provide much-needed green space for northern and downtown San Leandro, areas generally lacking quality parkland. 4. CASA PERALTA: Casa Peralta, a historic home currently serving as a museum and event venue, is underutilized as a public space. By increasing accessibility and programming, Casa Peralta could function more as a unique public park, offering historical and cultural experiences while doubling as a community event and gathering space. 5. DOWNTOWN PARKING CONVERSIONS: There is an opportunity to convert city-owned parking lots into an urban plaza or park, provided parking needs can be met elsewhere. These transformations would not only enhance the vibrancy of the downtown area but also address park access gaps in underserved neighborhoods, maximizing the potential of existing infrastructure. 6. HEATH PARK: This small, special-use park currently features four tennis courts and a parking area. Repurposing some or all of the tennis courts could accommodate additional park amenities tailored to neighborhood needs, such as play areas, picnic spaces, or fitness equipment. San Leandro Park Master Plan | 52 DRAFT DRAFT 53 | Our Needs and Opportunities