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City staff outline Larkin Park renovation plans and schedule urban forest plan review
Summary
Staff updated the commission on Larkin Park renovation options — playground and restroom replacement, annex removal and added multi-generational equipment — and said a formal review of the city's urban forest management plan is scheduled in the 2026–28 work plan following a public comment praising the city's handling of a Canary Island pine issue.
City staff described design options and next steps for the Larkin Park renovation and confirmed a planned review of the urban forest management plan.
Jeremy Swan, community services director, said staff held a second community workshop for the Larkin Park renovation and presented multiple design alternatives. The project scope includes replacing the restroom, installing a new playground, adding safety and security lighting, removing an older modular annex building, and adding multi-generational workout equipment with shade sails. Swan said staff will refine designs with the landscape architect and present final options at a future community meeting; the commission will be asked to make decisions when the project reaches that stage.
A commissioner summarized a written public comment that praised the city for how it handled a Canary Island pine issue in the Clairvoya neighborhood and urged a proactive review of the urban forest management plan. Swan confirmed that reviewing and aligning the urban forest management plan, tree policies and related documents is on the city work plan for the 2026–28 budget cycle and will be brought to the tree committee, the commission and ultimately the city council for review.
Swan also reviewed recent urban forestry work: grid trimming in the Grid 2 area south of Foothill is nearly complete, and staff submitted a fifth planting list with about 140 new trees for the season; planting will continue through spring as weather and funding allow. He asked residents to check planted areas — including tree replacements along Forbes Avenue where smaller trees were installed under power lines — and noted staff will return with additional reports as projects advance.
