Mayor Nash and City Council Members,
Regarding the utility easement agreement proposed with West Bay Sanitary
District, it seems unfortunate that its place on this agenda occurs before
the public meeting on the Sanitary District’s agenda for Oct 14.
Bedwell Bayfront Park has had frequent, seemingly constant, construction
over the past years. The Bayfront Canal, levee raising along the
Ravenswood salt ponds, as well as at the Recycled Water Facility at the
north end of the park, and the “mysterious” drilling and piping throughout
the park – all these have impacted park users’ enjoyment and use of the
park.
While all these are necessary improvements, I would request that park users
be included more in the planning and notification.
Regarding the agreement on this agenda, I don’t see anything about what the
impact on park users will be. Will the entrance road or pedestrian/bike
entrance be closed at any time? What about our ability to walk along the
slough (the trail planned in the Master Plan doesn’t yet exist, but there
are use trails along part of it)? Will park restrooms be affected?
If the work that is the topic of tonight’s agreement could be done using
trenchless methods, that would reduce disruption.
I request you to inform park users and those living in Menlo Park and other
communities near the park clearly and in advance of construction activity.
Please include a proviso that alternatives be provided to park users
whenever access is temporarily limited. This would let users know that
Menlo Park values the park for its open space uses.
Thank you.
Chris MacIntosh
Friends of Bedwell Bayfront Park
friendsofbayfrontpark@gmail.com
