Nov. 26, 2024
City Council approved plans and specifications for work on the Belmont Creek Restoration Project. This project includes selected tree removal in preparation for grading necessary creek bank restoration. The Twin Pines Park Tree Succession plan identified several eucalyptus trees which pose a risk to public safety in and adjacent to the project area. These trees will also be removed. Both projects, Creek Bank Restoration and the Tree Succession Plan call for replacement with native species that are known to thrive in this climate.
The Belmont Creek Detention Basin Project is also progressing. More information is available here.
Nov. 9, 2020
The San Mateo County Flood & Sea Level Rise Resiliency District has developed a plan for flood control and erosion mitigation along Belmont Creek, including the section that runs through Twin Pines Park.
More information on the Belmont Creek Stormwater Detention and Creek Restoration Project can be found here.
Sept. 2, 2020
The Parks & Recreation Commission approved a Twin Pines Park Tree Succession Plan, a Phase 1 recommendation from the Twin Pines Park Master Plan.
Feb. 26, 2019
The Twin Pines Park Master Plan was presented to and approved by City Council at its Feb. 26, 2019 meeting. The Parks & Recreation Department will now integrate items from Phase 1 of Plan Implementation into the Fiscal Year 2020 budget. See the final Twin Pines Park Master Plan here.
Feb. 14, 2019
The Twin Pines Park Master Plan was presented to the Planning Commission for review and approval at its Feb. 5, 2019 meeting. Following a presentation by Craig Michaels, Parks & Recreation Commission Vice Chair, and Parks & Recreation Director Brigitte Shearer, Planning Commissioners asked clarifying questions and provided valuable input for the long-term vision the Plan provides. The Commission then unanimously approved the Plan for recommendation to City Council.
Gates + Associates will present the final Plan to City Council on Feb. 26, 2019.
Jan. 22, 2019
The revised draft Twin Pines Park Master Plan was presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission for review and approval at its Jan. 9, 2019 meeting. Following a presentation by Linda Gates of Gates + Associates and further discussion, clarification, and minor amendments, the Commission unanimously approved the Plan for recommendation to City Council. Gates + Associates will make minor modifications to the draft plan, as requested.
The revised plan will be presented to the Planning Commission on Feb. 5, 2019. If similarly approved by the Planning Commission, the Master Plan will be presented to City Council on Feb. 266, 2019.
Dec. 17, 2018
The draft Twin Pines Park Master Plan was presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission on Nov. 7, 2018. The public was invited to this meeting via communications to Belmont Homeowners Associations, City of Belmont Weekly Updates, website, and social media. The presentation was led by Linda Gates, Co-Founder of Gates + Associates. Commissioners provided valuable comments and requested clarification on certain features and design options.
Gates + Associates is incorporating the Commission's feedback into a revised Master Plan, which will be reviewed by the Master Plan Committee on Dec. 20, 2018 and presented to the Commission on Jan. 9, 2019.
Oct. 23, 2018
The Master Plan Committee, in conjunction with Gates + Associates, is pleased to present the draft conceptual designs for the Twin Pines Park Master Plan project. Feedback from multiple community outreach events and an online survey was integrated with park circulation and landscape design best practices to develop a base plan and a few alternative options.
The base plan incorporates and celebrates the natural beauty of our jewel and as promised, highlights several opportunities where this gem could be polished a bit to shine even brighter. These upgrades could be phased into the park over time, as budget resources permit. A few highlights include:
- Replace Vacant Creekside studios with a bocce ball court
- Add a bridge near the cottage building and construct a loop trail along both sides of the creek
- Make Cottage Lane more pedestrian friendly
- Establish safe access to the creek
- Enhance landscaping and pedestrian paths in front of park buildings
- Provide adventure play options within the park
- Relocate and upgrade the park restrooms
- Upgrade the play structures and add a splash pad
Learn more about the first round of Community Engagement here.
The Committee also identified three key areas where significant alternative options should be considered: the Redwood Grove (large group picnic rental area), parking and auto circulation, and the future of the building which currently houses the Parks & Rec Department offices.
Check out sketches of the following alternative options for three areas.
1. Redwood Grove
a. The base plan includes the following upgrades: a footpath around the grove, an upgraded picnic/ shelter space
b. Option 1 would place more activity options into this space. Perhaps sand volleyball, an exercise course, etc. The objective would be to make this space more appealing for individual users and groups.
c. Option 2 would create a more attractively landscaped area including terraced access for all abilities to the creek.
2. Parking
a. The base plan includes adding a pedestrian path along the parking lot to provide a safer route from the park to downtown
b. Option 1 would reduce the size of the landscaped oval in front of the Manor House to create additional parking. The larger lot would be reduced in size and a drop off lane would be added. This design improves traffic flow near the park, but slightly reduces the total number of parking spaces
c. Option 2 would eliminate the landscaped oval in front of the Manor House to provide more parking and a landscaped plaza to better highlight the majesty of the Manor House. The larger lot would be reduced in size and a drop off lane would be added. This design improves traffic flow near the park and adds approximately 5 parking spaces.
3. Parks & Recreation Department Building
a. The base plan keeps the parks and rec department offices in their current location. Upgrades will be required to this building to improve accessibility for all. These upgrades will cost $500K+
b. Option 1 would be to remove this building and relocate Parks & Rec department into the ground floor of City Hall. The area formerly occupied by the Parks & Rec building would become usable park space.
This is a lot of information to digest. The Parks & Recreation Commission will be reviewing these topics in depth at the November 7th Commission meeting (7pm, Council Chambers). Community input and questions are welcome! If you can’t attend the meeting but have questions or input, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Thank you,
Brigitte Shearer
Parks & Recreation Director
650-595-7488
parksrec@belmont.gov
Why Do We Need a Master Plan?