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Wildwood Park renovations approved; skate park included with six-month administrative review
Summary
Planning commissioners approved a renovation of Wildwood Park that adds a skate park, resurfaced courts, a fitness area (funding-dependent) and shade structures, attaching a six-month administrative review to monitor noise and usage impacts at completion.
The Planning Commission approved the Wildwood Park renovation plan, including a proposed skate park in the southwest corner of the site, a resurfaced basketball court, a fitness court (subject to funding), three new shade structures, and 18 new trees.
City engineer Gina Venglas described the design and said staff’s recommendation was for approval subject to standard conditions. Venglas told commissioners the fitness court’s fabric shade would depend on funding and that the project is intended to maximize usable park area while retaining existing playground features. During questioning she said staff’s neighborhood survey indicated some local support for a skate park and that measured skate-park decibel levels are “the same decibel rating as a playground, no louder than that.”
Neighbors at the hearing raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed skate park to backyard walls and the potential for property damage. Resident Chelsea Harinson asked whether elements such as slopes, protective piping and wall barriers had been considered and expressed particular concern that the skate park backs up directly to a residential wall. Landscape architect Gary Barrett responded that bollards are being retained outside the skate-park footprint and that the skate-park backside is being shaped to keep users off adjoining walls.
Commissioners pressed staff on outreach and hours. Parks staff said city park hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and that the neighborhood survey was distributed by email; staff could not provide an exact response rate at the hearing. Vice Chair Schlottman asked for a six-month administrative review after construction so hours or management conditions could be adjusted if complaints arise. Staff drafted a condition to require a six-month administrative review from date of completion; with that condition added, the commission approved the site development plan review for item 3225-0604SDR1. The approval is final action unless appealed to the City Clerk within 10 days.
