During the San Leandro City Council meeting on June 9, 2025, officials presented the San Leandro Recreation and Parks Master Plan, a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the city's recreational facilities and park amenities. This plan, developed through extensive community engagement, reflects the voices of over 1,000 residents who participated in surveys and workshops, highlighting the community's priorities for the future of local parks.

The presentation emphasized the importance of inclusive and accessible engagement, with city representatives noting that feedback from various stakeholder groups—including youth, seniors, and educators—shaped the recommendations outlined in the plan. Key priorities identified by residents include the expansion of amenities such as trails, dog parks, and all-abilities play areas, as well as increased programming for adult fitness classes and after-school activities.

The plan also addresses the current state of San Leandro's park system, revealing that the city has only 1.5 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, significantly below the general plan goal of 5 acres. This discrepancy underscores the need for additional parkland and recreational assets, particularly as the city faces challenges related to its built-out environment. The plan outlines opportunities for improvement, including potential partnerships with the school district and other local agencies to enhance recreational offerings.

In addition to system-wide recommendations, the plan includes specific strategies for individual parks, categorizing them into tiers based on their current performance and community needs. Washington Manor Park was highlighted as a site requiring a visionary approach to better meet community expectations.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for city officials to prioritize the implementation of the master plan, which includes a detailed action plan with goals, funding strategies, and success metrics. As San Leandro looks to the future, this master plan serves as a foundational document for the next decade of investment in the city's parks and recreational programs, aiming to foster a healthier, more connected community.