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Residents urge Moraga to involve neighbors, preserve open space amid Rancho Laguna master-plan work
Summary
Several Rancho Laguna Park neighbors told the council they received no notice about master-plan proposals, expressed opposition to relocating the dog park and siting pickleball courts near sensitive open space, and asked for more transparency and meaningful engagement.
Multiple residents used public comment at the May 11 Moraga Town Council meeting to press the town for clearer outreach and to protect Rancho Laguna Park from proposed changes in the parks and open-space master plan.
Lisa Tucker, who said she lives in unincorporated Contra Costa County adjacent to Rancho Laguna, told the council she and neighbors were not notified about “drastic changes” under consideration and urged the town to include adjacent unincorporated residents as stakeholders. She warned that court cases and environmental processes (she cited concerns including a possible red-legged frog habitat) could follow poorly handled changes.
Another longtime resident, who gave only his first name as Alex, said dog-park users were surprised to learn the park might be moved and stressed how the existing southern location provides a quiet, nature-based experience that fosters community connections. Clayton Hoover, who identified himself as fourth-generation Moraga and a local ranch family member, said infrastructure in Rancho Laguna could damage the park’s character and urged the council to consider centrally located alternatives such as Moraga Commons.
Acting Town Manager Katie Bruner and staff emphasized the master plan is a multi-step, 16-month planning process, that no final decisions have been made, and that community engagement events and an online survey (moragaplays.com) are part of the outreach. Bruner said staff would speak with commenters after the meeting and that a draft plan is not yet complete.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and encouraged residents to participate in ongoing outreach; one council member said the subject will be discussed again under report-outs. The public comment portion closed with a reminder that the Parks and Recreation Commission and staff are collecting input before decisions are made.
