[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6536518,"mediaKeyId","3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533","parentId",3783890,"title","Votes at a glance: Parks & Community Services Commission actions, June 11, 2025","audioSeconds",8126,"startMs",917000,"endMs",9043000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533&start=917&end=9043","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533/thumbnail_917000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536518/San-Ramon-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Parks-Community-Services-Commission-actions-June-11-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536518-52c54aba5e99363c6e0005c8ca8d4c1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775358462&Signature=OCUUmmfRsPbr28KKkRHa7FygoMUU9x~~pdffo02Y9qC1oacQU0i~OrFj0E~~rkcRTswg-ar0vjF0Bz6X~qWbDtE81A5Jz-9k3ZETJJtnsNCxc~GxMdc25UaJmFd0hW6zIZAgB0hP7EfW9XVL1Nyhf7hL1JQbVXgMAZRfz3VqGifOQLjVvRDJkXxz0BX5D0ullDVg5QSGPxRzYQ9THDHLjqYNvy3Bj0YMvwxZv8T0n9NRvo6WPHZQJ0BB5E5xgse11jjNMPk-DMP-obElqttrkoIkhAmscBfMRPDvme-q55qmNsRaH5WfkwaSdJbzhBDpqfUuw5tX9sFCtaUQ8LaKUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-12T01:53:25Z","article","At its June 11, 2025 meeting the Parks and Community Services Commission recorded two formal actions during business and committee appointments.

Approval of minutes

- Item: Approval of minutes, Parks and Community Services Commission regular meeting, May 14, 2025.
- Motion: \"So moved.\" (mover/second not specified in the public transcript)
- Tally reported on the record: yes 6, no 1. Outcome: Motion passed (minutes approved).

Library advisory committee appointment recommendations

- Item: Recommendation to city council to appoint alternates to the Library Advisory Committee.
- Recommendation: The commission recommended Lana Jackman for Alternate 1 (term to expire March 2027) and Sudartha Chatele Patelapunna for Alternate 2 (term to expire March 2026).
- Motion and outcome: Commissioners voted to forward the recommendation to the city council; the motion passed (mover/second and vote tally not specified in the transcript excerpt).

What this means

- The approved minutes become the official record of the May 14 meeting.
- The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which makes final appointment decisions for advisory committees.

Provenance: the motions and the recorded \"6-1\" tally for minutes approval appear in the June 11 meeting transcript. The library-advisory recommendation and the commission vote forwarding the two alternates appear later in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks and Community Services Commission Meeting 6/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved the May 14, 2025 meeting minutes and recommended two alternates for the Library Advisory Committee; motion counts recorded where noted in the minutes.","taxTitle","San Ramon City, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",4548,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6536525,"High-school student urges new lights at San Ramon Sports Park basketball courts",150,743000,893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533&start=743&end=893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533/thumbnail_743000.jpg","/articles/6536525/San-Ramon-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/High-school-student-urges-new-lights-at-San-Ramon-Sports-Park-basketball-courts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536525-13e4192ab921f270d58cbb283c16b1bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775358462&Signature=THqdM08Rvwq~LUivP13oKpD3AibHf7QXiAETiK8vOhDqwyk7lxikxLTFfxYuXnm8uHQ~jjHh28AXPSrUsT7jNBk2o~eg~XctfdLelqfvAwUD~pvP9KtFOAhQxhNvUwdv-j2JEVxt1qWMuULfT8CTAPslkXDMatsETKNHdfhkNLwxep1y3uMiktla1Gn4nGTc-5o~aeP5romuWNxYUCb5gne2ro62VDPyfpamY3uTD5NaSQokEPkvlWOxb69Hf2wCL72Mo~wEpYdvZfcFlHndwS~uPLKIMSV0rjnez3UTC8HRBBx-FRPsE-wuJHm008Ni0xQ6dPxgvdJLnMverNQ9gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pranav Raghutha, a rising junior at Dougherty Valley High School, addressed the Parks and Community Services Commission during the public-comment portion of the June 11 meeting to urge installation of lights at the San Ramon Sports Park basketball courts near East Branch Parkway and Sherwood Way.

\"I noticed that around the basketball courts themselves, there there's not really much lighting,\" Pranav said. He described the courts as higher-capacity and more accessible to neighborhood youth than school gyms or courts that are attached to schools and suggested the site deserves lighting because it draws many players in the evening.

Why it matters: Pranav emphasized the courts' role in neighborhood recreation and social connection and proposed local fundraising and petitioning to support a lighting project, noting the parks master plan proposes lighted new basketball courts at Rancho San Ramon but that San Ramon Sports Park is closer for many users.

What the student asked the commission to consider

- Visit the sports park during evening hours to observe its use and the lack of lighting.
- Support or advise on fundraising and permitting necessary to add permanent lights to the courts.
- Consider prioritizing improvements at neighborhood-accessible courts rather than only at larger, more distant facilities.

What staff and commissioners said

Commissioners thanked Pranav for coming and asked no immediate procedural questions during public comment. No vote or formal staff direction was recorded on the lighting request at the June 11 meeting. Staff previously referenced the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, which lists lighted courts at Rancho San Ramon; Pranav asked that the commission consider a nearer-term, community-funded approach for San Ramon Sports Park.

Next steps

Pranav said he and a group of friends are willing to raise awareness, collect signatures and fundraise for the lights. The commission did not take formal action at the meeting; any follow-up would require staff evaluation of design, policy, funding options and permitting.","A Dougherty Valley High School student told the commission residents want more lighting at San Ramon Sports Park so courts can be used safely in the evening; the student offered to lead fundraising and neighborhood outreach.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6536529,"Art & Wind Festival drew tens of thousands; staff cite 4,200 kites, expanded vendors and $175,000 in revenue",1686,4048000,5734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533&start=4048&end=5734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533/thumbnail_4048000.jpg","/articles/6536529/San-Ramon-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Art-Wind-Festival-drew-tens-of-thousands-staff-cite-4200-kites-expanded-vendors-and-175000-in-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536529-f55f3901560ce11efe2d154445ffeae7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775358462&Signature=IwNJp8c5y-cag5ezZOciTFDWYQLf6uZuxVohpQd2UzGZ2mysBWnbmG-3GpzhLeTA3vZMZxfexh0xs743R4XqNmkyTtLqqiCxU91XAwQ1FAJBj1UxYnXPyWOQHEnchecDaJFcHx5YJyEF2jbWgJ30AObTkv1JIyvb9zuEoMigAOLvm0QNUdCkNZUC~VscWmajAPYbas5XXVF-TbvbCV9c5TbnK8R8yWwEO42yr1q-UF4X-GFgrP9pQo9QPI6HfoSL9Z0lHx58cPvpzPVoUpDpG3VpX3I8ZCYkqeBSvevegrPgfaPMr6mll6zN0v5kfcLLbxOSQSd33I9Th3Z74~NAhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve (last name not specified), the department's recreation supervisor, presented a recap of the 2025 Art and Wind Festival to the Parks and Community Services Commission on June 11, outlining attendance estimates, vendor mix, partnerships and operational costs.

Steve said the festival — a free, family-oriented event drawing arts vendors, performing stages, kite teams, food courts and activity vendors — remains a signature city event. \"The wind cooperated with us this year,\" he said, noting professional choreographed kite teams and a larger in-park presence for arts, kids activities and cultural food options.

Why it matters: the festival is the city's largest public event and both a civic branding opportunity and a budget item that relies on sponsorships, vendor fees and paid parking to offset costs. Staff said the event is exploring expanded outreach, better maps/apps for visitors and more fine-art representation in vendor selection.

Key numbers and takeaways

- Estimated attendance: staff said the festival draws about 20,000 people per day and ~40,000 across the two days; staff cautioned this is a working estimate based on parking, vendor reports and program indicators.

- Kites and give-aways: staff distributed 4,200 free kites; those were claimed by about midday Monday.

- Parking and revenue: staff recorded 3,489 paid parking transactions and said the city budgeted about $165,000 in revenue and expects to realize roughly $175,000, with expenditures currently estimated at about $111,000 for fixed costs (tents, rentals, barricades, restrooms, radios) and other festival operations.

- Vendors and nonprofits: staff reported about 25 food vendors (down one from 2024) and a growing nonprofit information alley. Food vendors partner with local nonprofits and return a portion of proceeds to community organizations.

- Safety and operations: San Ramon Valley Fire District provided a standby ambulance and first-aid support; staff said the unit was called to assist at least once.

Commission feedback and operational ideas

Commissioners and staff discussed ways to boost fine-arts participation (more original painters/sculptors) and whether the city's contracting model for art exhibitors should be revised to carve out city-managed spaces for local artists. Staff said the contract vendor model requires further work with the arts advisory committee and that future RFPs can emphasize local artist inclusion.

Parking and access: staff said the upcoming pedestrian bridge and planned parking partnerships (Bishop Ranch and others) are expected to change traffic flow in future years and that the department is exploring shuttle/remote-parking options and expanded bike valet services.

Digital tools and outreach: commissioners suggested a simple festival app or QR-code-driven map to replace lengthy printed guides and requested more targeted outreach through nonprofits and the chamber to increase regional attendance.

Staff asked the commission for feedback on sponsorship growth, vendor mix, and ways to increase fine-arts representation at future festivals.","City staff told the Parks and Community Services Commission the 2025 Art and Wind Festival attracted roughly 40,000 visitors over two days, distributed 4,200 free kites, recorded 3,489 paid parking transactions and is projecting about $175,000 in revenue while exploring ways to expand sponsorship, marketing and parking options.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6536532,"San Ramon expands nature programs at Crow Canyon Gardens, launches teen stewardship and birding offerings",1634,982000,2616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533&start=982&end=2616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783890-29d04018b4ad4b7776e3406f2b5c8533/thumbnail_982000.jpg","/articles/6536532/San-Ramon-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/San-Ramon-expands-nature-programs-at-Crow-Canyon-Gardens-launches-teen-stewardship-and-birding-offerings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536532-fc7f28fb66e5a95b9219a74c2e48acdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775358462&Signature=LRML5XHLsbyUKle4zEBSZFizhmsVizutTd77BV4wDnvbSYsb4~3s8y~yva76CvRCDs6K1a0RmORDk4HNHxFNxwgrWy63zyi2wNN3xhIHBtiwheMZeO3eXkcC3EivBhTzqesaT4gkk5mjXGcYQWPej63KBOF-POUKmhOda1kp~8jJ0odlxpI46aJtlmmpq710yIQy~T886cNaoRJz94CLIIuiWsgZXpjNA0ciDcVzLEvpMQrgKR7oH052VuWylqYSyDGEEXRU3cLBozVr2EsWN0B03PUjdjxjnEq3wfQ1YugECA0Yoz~5cwZkY3USGHIUZb87C14Ze4tjCR~0GRwWVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elise Lightfoot, recreation coordinator for historic properties and nature programs, told the Parks and Community Services Commission on June 11 that San Ramon has substantially expanded its nature-based recreation offerings since the city adopted the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan in 2020.

Lightfoot said the city added a full-time nature-focused recreation coordinator position in December 2022 and moved from a few seasonal offerings to a program portfolio that now includes summer nature day camps, a spring break day camp, preschool story time in parks, a teen environmental stewardship program, birding classes, letterboxing treasure-hunt events, volunteer workdays at Crow Canyon Gardens and a speaker series.

The coordinator said the department increased nature camp weeks from three weeks to six in 2023 and expanded to as many as 14 program types in 2025. \"We went from three program offerings in year one to eight in year two and up to 14 this year,\" Lightfoot said. She added that by year's end the program count could reach about 20 offerings. Lightfoot also described partnerships with local organizations including Headwaters Science Institute, UC Master Gardeners, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and Plantify.

Why it matters: the expansion responds to a stated community desire—captured in the 2020 master plan—to balance stewardship and public access to natural areas. Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff for enrollment detail, cost-recovery metrics and outreach plans for harder-to-reach groups such as teens.

Key details and follow-up

- Participation and repeat enrollment: Lightfoot said program registration counts are presented as total registrations (people may appear in multiple program counts). She told commissioners 52 children had returned for multiple weeks or years of nature camps, and several children attended programs five or six times.

- Teen programming: Lightfoot launched a teen environmental stewardship program in April 2025 that enrolled five teens in its first run. \"I didn't have a goal for the first offering; I just wanted to see if any teens would sign up,\" she said. She said the fall target is about 20 teens.

- Birding and field biology: a recent birding class filled 27 of 30 spaces; staff cited San Ramon's location on the Pacific Flyway as an asset for expanding birding programs. Headwaters Science Institute has provided field-biology programming that draws participants from outside the city.

- Crow Canyon Gardens: staff reported revitalization work, volunteer growth, a Wassail event celebrating heritage apples, and partnerships (including a local 4-H club) that helped harvest fruit and process produce for educational programs. Staff said volunteers helped produce a quart of olive oil from trees planted in 2015.

- Cost recovery and marketing: Lightfoot said program cost recovery is modest now and that the department balances affordability with revenue needs. Outreach channels include a nature-program landing page on the city's website, the recreation guide, the City newsletter, San Ramon Patch and Peachjar school notices; word-of-mouth has also been important.

Commission reaction and next steps

Commissioners praised the expansion and urged continued outreach to boost teen enrollment, deeper engagement with schools, and stronger promotion in the recreation guide and through city channels. Staff said they will share age-breakdowns and registration detail on request and will pursue volunteer and partner recruitment to scale offerings.

Lightfoot described longer-term goals including urban nature programs, heritage-skills workshops (wool working, basketry), more birding dates, and expanding school field trips to Crow Canyon Gardens. She asked commissioners for feedback and remained on hand to provide follow-up data as requested.","The Parks and Community Services Commission heard a detailed update on an expanding nature program portfolio that has grown from seasonal camps to 14 program types in three years, with new teen stewardship, birding, urban-nature and heritage-skills offerings and rising participation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Parks & Community Services Commission actions, June 11, 2025

High-school student urges new lights at San Ramon Sports Park basketball courts

Art & Wind Festival drew tens of thousands; staff cite 4,200 kites, expanded vendors and $175,000 in revenue

San Ramon expands nature programs at Crow Canyon Gardens, launches teen stewardship and birding offerings