San Ramon parks commissioners review master‑plan priorities; director outlines monthly activities and upcoming park projects

San Ramon Parks and Community Services Director Henry Perizzo told commissioners at their Sept. 10 meeting that staff converted ideas from an Aug. 22 commission workshop into six high‑level focus areas and will provide ongoing monthly updates on progress.

“The intent as well as to go annually with this workshop that we would look at these priorities once again,” Perizzo said during his presentation, summarizing the workshop’s aim to set both near‑term and future priorities.

Perizzo said staff will use a new monthly director’s report to show progress against those focus areas, and highlighted several projects and upcoming public engagement steps. He said work to install a public art piece nicknamed the “Eagle” is scheduled to begin in October, with the sculpture’s final placement expected around November. Perizzo also said the previously approved terrace patio shade structure will proceed, with construction anticipated to start at the beginning of the year.

On Critter Crossing (Croke Canyon) park, Perizzo said staff and contractors are completing a large punch list and that temporary fencing will be installed while final inspections continue; the park remains closed pending completion and staff expect to open it in the first quarter of next year if inspections are completed on schedule. “There is currently no fence. But there’s gonna be fencing going up because we do know that there’s some folks that are, utilizing the park, which is what we want. But right now, it’s not necessary for liability purposes. Probably a good idea to keep a fence up right now until it’s fully done,” Perizzo said.

Perizzo also previewed upcoming engagement on the Trails Master Plan: two stakeholder meetings will be held starting in October with participating agencies including neighboring cities, East Bay Regional Park District and community groups, followed by a public meeting and a commission review in October. He noted staff intends to bring a consolidated update to the commission at its next regular meeting.

Commissioners used the debrief to ask clarifying questions about how progress will be reported and whether the annual workshop will be repeated; Perizzo affirmed the workshop will be an annual check‑in and that the director’s report will include a synopsis showing what was accomplished under each priority area during the year.

Perizzo closed by thanking staff and describing the director’s report as both a storytelling tool and a monthly accountability document for the commission’s priorities.

What’s next: staff will continue monthly reporting on the six focus areas, bring Trails Master Plan materials to the commission in October, and return with construction schedules or opening dates as projects clear final inspections.