Council approves Parcel R park plan for Sierra Point, moving ahead with a modest base project

The Brisbane City Council on June 18 adopted a conceptual park development plan for Parcel R at Sierra Point, clearing the way for a phased, resilient waterfront park that officials said is designed to withstand projected sea‑level rise and provide recreation, picnic, and event space for residents and marina users.

CMG design principal Willlet Moss walked the council through the plan’s key elements: an event lawn, picnic grove, promenade with overlooks, a small amphitheater and a modest hammock grove. The design emphasizes limited grading, wind buffering through topography and planting, and universal access: "Every single path except for the stairs is designed for universal access," Moss told the council.

City staff and CMG presented a three‑part cost framework. The base project — described as the immediate deliverable — is estimated at about $1.8 million and fits the city’s available funding of $1,968,315. CMG estimated art elements (entry marker, play sculpture, promenade mural, sculptural seating) at roughly $560,000; staff said those elements would be funded from the public art budget and artist RFPs. A later Phase 2 with additional planting and boardwalk connections is estimated at around $900,000. CMG said the estimate includes a 15% contingency and leaves about $368,000 of cushion against the city’s base project allocation.

Several council members and public commenters praised the concept and the subcommittee that shepherded it to a buildable, budget‑aware design. "This council provided very clear requirements, and the subcommittee and staff delivered a resilient waterfront destination that we can actually build," Council Member Kern said.

Public speakers strongly supported a park but raised practical questions about some design choices. Several residents urged the council to avoid extensive use of artificial turf because of environmental and maintenance concerns; others said turf can deter Canada geese and resist burrowing ground squirrels. CMG said turf would be used selectively (roughly 20% of the project, CMG said) in high‑use areas to reduce maintenance and gopher damage, and staff pledged to research low‑impact products and maintenance regimes.

The council approved the plan by vote and directed staff to proceed with procurement and implementation of the base project and to include art elements through the public art process. Next steps include preparing design‑build documents and moving to procurement; city staff said they will return with details for contracting and phasing.