Parks commission recommends Calendar and Associates for Oak Knoll design, votes 6-0

The Belmont City Parks and Recreation Commission voted 6-0 on Wednesday to recommend Calendar and Associates as the design consultant for the Oak Knoll Improvement Project, a roughly 3,000-square-foot cul-de-sac site identified in the city's parks, recreation and open-space master plan.

Parks staff described the site as an "opportunity site" that is not currently part of the city's parks portfolio and said a subcommittee reviewed three proposals. Parks staff said Calendar and Associates’ proposal was "complete, professional" and offered the outreach approach the city wants, including site-based walk-and-talk meetings to gather neighborhood input before returning to the commission and then to City Council for contract approval.

Why it matters: Oak Knoll is a small, walkable neighborhood space intended primarily for nearby residents. Staff said the site has no irrigation, which will limit some amenities, and that mature trees on the perimeter will be assessed and, where healthy, retained. The city reported funds are budgeted to begin the design and procurement process.

Commissioner comments emphasized fit with Belmont. One commissioner said the recommended firm's presentation ‘‘felt the most kind of Belmont’’ and demonstrated understanding of local residents and the city's vision for neighborhood parks. Commissioners raised practical questions about irrigation, tree health and parking constraints; staff confirmed irrigation is not currently available on the site and said tree assessments are part of the next design steps.

Three neighbors spoke in support during the public-comment period. Henry, a nearby resident who identified himself on the call, said, "There's still a lot of young families that could really take advantage of this" and thanked the commission for advancing the project. Another neighbor who said he lives a few houses down expressed surprise at the level of design effort but welcomed it and offered to volunteer. A third commenter, Mimi, said she walks the area frequently and would like a small destination to meet neighbors.

A commissioner moved to recommend Calendar and Associates; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with six affirmative votes recorded and none opposed. Staff said, if approved by the Council, the city will proceed to finalize a contract, set a design schedule, and hold neighborhood meetings as part of the outreach plan.

Next steps: Staff will prepare procurement documents for contract approval and schedule community engagement meetings to collect resident input before returning to the commission and then to the City Council.