San Carlos brainstorms parks master plan

Community feedback demonstrates a desire to not only create more spaces, but to reinvigorate already established parks and facilities, consultant Melanie Reynolds said. 

“They just want to see them get better,” Reynolds said. “As your population grows and the need for recreation continues to evolve and change, people want to still see those parks still beloved and used and kept to a high standard. 

San Carlos currently has 186 acres of parkland, including developed and open space areas, that include 17 parks and five recreation facilities. Resident favorites include the Adult Community Center and Youth Center. 

However, 60% of San Carlos’ population is between 18 and 64 years old, and there are limited dedicated recreational activities or places tailored to this age group, Reynolds said. 

Changing demographics, including an estimated 15,000 new residents and hopefully 8,000 housing units by 2045, also demonstrate a need for more available parklands and public access spaces. 

“As your new housing comes in, it’s going to be dense, so they’re going to have less backyards,” Reynolds said. “Having picnic spaces and open spaces together in parks and outside is really important.” 

Highly sought amenities identified by surveyed community members last fall include the desire for an aquatic center or pool, which has remained at the forefront of residents’ and councilmembers’ minds — over 60% of surveyed residents were interested in exploring this possibility. 

Mayor Sara McDowell said it has been made loud and clear that residents want a pool. 

“At some point we’re going to have to start baby stepping our way towards that,” McDowell said. “There is only so many times you can survey the community and they keep saying the same thing.”

Other enhancements identified include shade structures, trees and planted areas, sport courts and a community garden. These smaller projects will ideally be addressed sooner than any major development, councilmembers said. 

Moving forward, city staff and consultants will be looking at what current parkland is available for upgrades, which may include further development at City Hall as an established civic center and expansion of Laureola Park. 

Finer grain community surveys will continue and a draft document with recommendation and financial plans will be considered later this year.